Galleries vs Shops; difference?

Ruth

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Oct 27, 2002, 7:42:56 AM10/27/02

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A recent post to another thread prompted me to make this query. In
your opinion how does a "Gallery" differ from a "Shop"?
(this just might go hand in hand with Art vs Craft!)

My experiences and opinion:
A Gallery only sells art work by individual artists. There are only
a few pieces by each artist, each upon the approval of the gallery.
Works are priced quite high; $50 (approx.) on up.

A Shop (not a store) sells handmade items, it also sells "Boyd's Bears"
or House of Wax Candles. Each artist has duplicate items, a stack of
hand woven place mats (example). Prices vary from $5 (approx.) on up.

I like both for my work.

Ruth

Woodturners Logo
My shop and Turnings at
http://www.torne-lignum.com

Ray Manning

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Oct 27, 2002, 9:47:36 AM10/27/02

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Po-tate-toe, Po-tat-toe, Toe-mate-toe, Toe-mat-toe. I don't think it matters
as long as your pieces sell for the appropriate prices. I wouldn't remove a
"gallery" piece from a "store" because of the surrounding product as long as
the piece has a chance to sell at an appropriate price. Of course once your
work starts to be sought out and you can and want to demand higher prices,
you're customer is likely to be shopping at a "gallery".

- Ray

"Ruth" <rfn...@webtv.net> wrote in message
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Brian Barnson

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Oct 27, 2002, 10:37:53 AM10/27/02

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"Ruth" <rfn...@webtv.net> wrote in message
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>

> A recent post to another thread prompted me to make this query. In
> your opinion how does a "Gallery" differ from a "Shop"?
> (this just might go hand in hand with Art vs Craft!)
>
> My experiences and opinion:
> A Gallery only sells art work by individual artists. There are only
> a few pieces by each artist, each upon the approval of the gallery.
> Works are priced quite high; $50 (approx.) on up.
>
> A Shop (not a store) sells handmade items, it also sells "Boyd's Bears"
> or House of Wax Candles. Each artist has duplicate items, a stack of
> hand woven place mats (example). Prices vary from $5 (approx.) on up.
>
> I like both for my work.

Galleries tend to be open and bright and give you room to admire
the work from different distances and angles. Shops tend to be crowded
with product, have narrow aisles and carry smaller things that you can
admire at the end of your arm. Shops also seem to smell of cinammon,
I don't know why. Shops (could be treading on dangerous ground here)
seem to attract a mostly female clientele.
There is a third category, the framing shop masquerading as a
"Fine Art Gallery" They make their $ on framing and carry posters that
pretend to be limited edition prints.
Brian, in Calgary
(and married to a "real" printmaker)

Arch

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Oct 27, 2002, 11:57:01 AM10/27/02

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Hi Ruth, A shop is where I buy. A gallery
is where my daughter buys! Arch

Fortiter,

Leif Thorvaldson

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Oct 27, 2002, 12:32:55 PM10/27/02

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You forgot to add wood boutiques, roadside and souvenir stands, fairs, etc.
It is just a matter of venue for sale of ones wares. For me, the issue is
moot as I have to force my products on people for free! *G* For the
purposes of education, I herewith offer the following to serve as a guide in
your discourse:

shop (shop)
n.
also shoppe. A small retail store or a specialty department in a large
store.
An atelier; a studio.
A place for manufacturing or repairing goods or machinery.
A commercial or industrial establishment: a printing shop.
A business establishment; an office or a center of activity.
A home workshop.

A schoolroom fitted with machinery and tools for instruction in industrial
arts.
The industrial arts as a technical science or course of study.

v., shopped, shop·ping, shops.

v.intr.
To visit stores in search of merchandise or bargains.
To look for something with the intention of acquiring it.
v.tr.
To visit or buy from (a particular store).

phrasal verb:
shop around

To go from store to store in search of merchandise or bargains.
To look for something, such as a better job.
To offer (a large block of common stock, for example) for sale to various
parties: "[The company] is now actively being shopped around, with a
prospectus in circulation" (Marianne Yen).

idiom:
talk shop

To talk about one's work.

[Middle English shoppe, from Old English sceoppa, treasure house.]

gal·ler·y (gal'?-re)
n., pl. -ies.

[SNIP]

A building, an institution, or a room for the exhibition of artistic work.
An establishment that displays and sells works of art.
A photographer's studio.
A collection; an assortment: The trial featured a gallery of famous and
flamboyant witnesses.

[SNIP]
.
[Middle English galerie, from Old French, from Old North French galilee,
galilee. See galilee.]

[SNIP]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin
Company. All rights reserved.

Leif

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Henry Doolittle

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Oct 27, 2002, 1:57:25 PM10/27/02

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A gallery is where you sell your work after you have become recognized as an
artist (by at least one gallery). A shop is where you sell as a
craftsperson.

Henry

Still working on the craftsperson stage.

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Ruth

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Oct 27, 2002, 2:06:36 PM10/27/02

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Very good responses. I knew it was in the same realm as art vs craft;
just a matter of two words really. It was not only the other thread I
referred to why I asked for I've had this discussion with a few
different people and I always find other people's views interesting. I
may totally disagree, but interesting non the less.

Arch, I was thinking along those same lines; a shop is where I buy, a
gallery is where I can't afford my own work! : )

Kip055

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Oct 27, 2002, 5:47:28 PM10/27/02

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Why am I reminded of "A one car garage is a shop. A two car garage is a
studio"????

Kip Powers
Rogers AR

Michael Schneider

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Oct 27, 2002, 10:04:29 PM10/27/02

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Arch,

I like your answer, I would say:

A shop is where I buy

A gallery is where I look ...

Mike

Bruce

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Oct 27, 2002, 9:02:00 PM10/27/02

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----------- I sell my things in Jewelry shops of all places,,,,,,,, or is
that shoppes, I think the shoppes sell a little higher, I'll go with
shoppes. An occasional auction is also interesting. Whats the difference
as long as you get the price you are asking?

-Bruce

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Marshall Gorrow

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Oct 28, 2002, 5:58:59 AM10/28/02

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Hello Ruth,

A gallery is where the wealthy go to buy. Most others go to view as in
going to a museum to see things that you can only dream of owning.

A shop is where the wealthy don't even go but everyone else goes to buy.

Marshall Gorrow,
Hogansburg, New York
http://mgorrow.tripod.com/

Henry Doolittle

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Oct 28, 2002, 8:39:58 PM10/28/02

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That would make a three car garage a museum.

Henry

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