Meagan's Gallery Professional Practices Blog

Functional Considerations:

The gallery has plenty of room to show the work and for its patrons to navigate the space without feeling confined.
The layout of the gallery is effective, By having the art on display in the front and the frame shop in the back it keeps the gallery owners on the main floor while they work, but also away from the works themselves

Formal Considerations

The typography I noticed on the works that were for sale were hand written tags, which could be bad if the hand writing was illegible, but it gives it a hand made crafty feel which is a popular aesthetic in Montana.
The works seem to be grouped together by their creators, and by their size. There doesn't necessarily seem to be a hierarchy to it.
The gallery seems, to me, more like a boutique for crafts rather than a gallery. The works they sell aren't fine art as much as they are utilitarian and decorative objects.

Conceptual Considerations

The gallery serves to bring art to an otherwise conservative town by finding and capitalizing on the middle ground between the two.
The patrons of the gallery could start at any point in the gallery and it wouldn't affect their viewing experience.
The sequence of the gallery set up is effective

Visitor Observations

For visitors of the gallery who are under the age of 25, they may not be interested in the type of product that's being sold at the gallery. Not everything in the gallery is western themed, or done in a traditional way, but a large majority of it is, and it's become overdone and boring. One thing that's appealing is the prices, they arent outrageous for a demographic that probably doesn't have a ton of money.
For the gallery visitors over the age of 25 they would probably be draw to it for the reasons the younger generations aren't. The gallery has a lot of western themed art, and pieces that are considered more crafty or utilitarian than high art. I can't think of any reason that those over the age of 25 wouldn't like the gallery
The visitors could probably share their experience of the gallery with others, if they had a reason to. It's not a white wall gallery that has an implied behavioral expectation, its a more relaxed space that a patron could talk in.
The owner made it sound like profit was his main objective, which I understand, but it seems to come at the cost of exhibiting contemporary art in favor of selling the same tried and tired thing that's done everywhere else.

1500 University Drive

Billings, MT 59101-0245

Northcutt Steele Gallery

Leanne Gilbertson, Gallery Director

Liberal Arts Building Rm.#100

406-657-2903

Leanne.Gilbertson@MSUBillings.edu

Dear Deborah:

Thank you for agreeing to exhibition your work at the Northcutt Steele Gallery.

Below is the agreement for your visit. Also included is a contract for your agreement. Please read these over carefully and contact me should you have any questions or concerns.

If all is on order, please sign and date these and return them to me no later than March 17, 2017.

Thank you,

Leanne

Artist Agreement

· Artist Name: Deborah Bright

Address: Pratt Institute, Dept. of Fine Art

200 Willoughby Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11205

Phone: (401) 345-6734

E-mail: dbrightnyc@gmail.com

Delivery Dates: To be received by the gallery no later than September 1, 2017

Return Dates: To be returned to the artist no later than October 24, 2017

Exhibition Dates: September 1, 2017- October 14, 2017

· Insurance: Work exhibited at the Northcutt Steele Gallery will be insured for the wholesale value against theft, loss, or damage incurred while on the Montana State University Billings campus. This does not include damage due to faulty craftsmanship or damage incurred before receipt of artworks. Montana State University Billings is responsible for damage incurred during return shipping if an insured bonded carrier such as UPS, Fed Ex or a professional art handler ships the work.

Inventory: The gallery must receive a signed insurance/inventory list detailing title, description (size, media), date and value of the work to be exhibited, prior to the artist shipping of the artwork.

· Shipping: The artist will provide shipping of the work to the gallery and artist will make arrangements for return of work as mutually agreed upon.

Sales: A twenty-five percent (25%) commission fee will be retained from all works sold during the exhibition.

Compensation:

1. The artist will be paid an honorarium of $300 for two class presentations and a public conversation with an artist reception immediately following on February 21, 2013.

2. The artist will receive a consulting fee of $600 for his work over the course of three days in individual student critiques and for de-installing and packing his artwork.

3. The artist shall perform these services and the University shall not pay any assistants or substitutes to the artist in their performance under this agreement.

4. The payment for these services shall be made within 30 days of completion of services, and upon artist’s submission of W-9 if a US taxpayer.

Lodging: Montana State University Billings Northcutt Steele Gallery shall book and pay for three nights (9/7, 9/8, 9/9) lodging in a hotel of our choice.

Meals: The artist will not be provided with meals during the visit.

Artist’s work may be photographed during the exhibit for publicity purposes.

ARTIST

Signature: ______________________________________

Name: __________________Deborah Bright________________________

Title: ___________________Being and Riding________________________

Date: _____________________March 3, 2017______________________

Montana State University Billings

Signature:

Name: Leanne Gilbertson

Title: Northcutt Steele Gallery Director

Date: March 3, 2017

Contract for an Exhibition Loan

AGREEMENT made as of the ____3____ day of ____March_____, 20__17__, between ______ Deborah Bright___________ (hereinafter referred to as the “Artist”), located at __________200 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11205____and ________Leanne Gilbertson___________ (hereinafter referred to as the “Exhibitor”), located at __ Northcutt Steele Gallery 1500 University Drive Billings, MT 59101-0245____.

WHEREAS, the Artist is a recognized professional artist who creates artworks for sale and exhibition; and

WHEREAS, the Exhibitor admires and wishes to exhibit the work of the Artist; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to have the exhibition governed by the mutual obligations, covenants, and conditions herein;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and other valuable considerations, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Creation and Title. The Artist hereby warrants that the Artist created and possesses unencumbered title to the works of art listed and described on the attached Schedule of Artworks (“the Schedule”) and has the right to loan these works for purposes of exhibition.

2. Duration of Loan, Manner of Exhibition, and Fee. The Artist hereby agrees to loan to the Exhibitor the works listed on the Schedule for the time period commencing ______September_______, 20__17__, and concluding ______October______, 20__17__. The Exhibitor agrees to exhibit these works for no less than ___18___ days during this time period as part of the exhibition titled: ____________________Being and Riding___________________. These works [ ] shall [ ] shall not be exhibited with the works of other artists. Other restrictions on the treatment of the works include________________________________________________________________________. Upon signing of this Agreement, the Exhibitor shall pay the Artist a fee of $______450______ for the right to exhibit the works.

3. Delivery, Condition, and Care. The Exhibitor shall be responsible for arranging to have the works listed on the Schedule shipped from the Artist’s studio to the Exhibitor by the following method of transport: ____________________Fed Ex__ _______________________. All costs of delivery (including transportation and insurance) shall be paid by the Exhibitor. The Exhibitor agrees to transmit a written report to the Artist within five working days of the delivery of the works, specifying their condition and whether they appear in any way in need of repair. Further, the Exhibitor agrees to use the same standard of care for the works as it uses for comparable works in its own collection. The Exhibitor agrees to return the works in the same condition as received, subject to the provisions of Paragraph 4. The Exhibitor shall return the works by the date specified in Paragraph 2 for the conclusion of the loan and shall use the following method of transport: _______________Fed Ex__________________. The Exhibitor shall pay for the costs of delivery (including transportation and insurance) of the works back to the Artist.

4. Loss or Damage and Insurance. The Exhibitor shall be responsible for loss of or damage to the works from the time of shipment from the Artist through the time of delivery back to the Artist. The Exhibitor shall insure each work for the benefit of the Artist for the full value listed on the Schedule. This insurance shall be pursuant to a policy providing wall-to-wall all-risks coverage maintained in force by the Exhibitor. The Exhibitor shall provide a Certificate of Insurance for the works if the Artist so requests.

5. Use of Work. The Exhibitor hereby agrees that the loan of the works under this Agreement is solely for purposes of exhibition and that no other uses shall be made of the work, such other uses including but not being limited to commercial exploitation, broadcasts, or other reproduction. The Exhibitor further agrees that the works shall be kept at the following location:______Northcutt Steele Gallery, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59105___, and shall not be moved or displayed elsewhere without the express, written consent of the Artist.

6. Framing, Installation, Cleaning, Repairs. The Artist agrees to deliver each work ready for display unless framing, mounting, or a special installation is required. The Exhibitor agrees not to remove any work from its frame or other mounting or in any way alter the framing or mounting. In the event framing, mounting, or a special installation is required for the display of any work, it shall be described on the Schedule of Artworks and paid for by _________Leanne Gilbertson___________. Exhibitor agrees that the Artist shall have sole authority to determine when cleaning or repairs are necessary and to choose who shall perform such cleaning or repairs.

7. Copyright and Reproduction. The Artist reserves all reproduction rights, including the right to claim statutory copyright, on all works listed on the Schedule. No work may be photographed, sketched, painted, or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express, written consent of the Artist. The Exhibitor may reproduce the works for its catalog of the exhibition and promotion related thereto for a fee of $__400___. All approved reproductions shall bear the following copyright notice: © by (Artist’s name) (Year____).

8. Collection of the Artist. When displayed, each work shall be accompanied by a label or plaque identifying the work as a loan from the collection of the Artist. This label or plaque shall also include the following copyright notice: © by (Artist’s name) (Year____).

9. Termination of Right to Exhibit. The right to exhibit pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate as of the date specified in Paragraph 2. In the event of the failure of the Exhibitor to exhibit the works or in the event of an exhibition or other act in violation of the terms of this Agreement, the Artist shall have the right to terminate the right to exhibit under this Agreement by written notice to the Exhibitor. The right to exhibit pursuant to this Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of the Exhibitor’s insolvency or bankruptcy. In the event of termination of the right to exhibit pursuant to this Paragraph 9, the works shall be returned forthwith to the Artist pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 4.

10. Non-Assignability. Neither party hereto shall have the right to assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party. The Artist shall, however, retain the right to assign monies due to him or her under the terms of this Agreement.

11. Heirs and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their heirs, successors, assigns, and personal representatives, and references to the Artist and the Exhibitor shall include their heirs, successors, assigns, and personal representatives.

12. Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties. Its terms can be modified only by an instrument in writing signed by both parties.

13. Waivers. A waiver of any breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a continuing waiver of other breaches of the same or other provisions hereof.

14. Notices and Changes of Address. All notices shall be sent to the Artist at the following address: _Pratt Institute, Dept. of Fine Art, 200 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205__, and to the Exhibitor at the following address: Northcutt Steele Gallery, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59105__ . Each party shall give written notification of any change of address prior to the date of said change.

15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of ___________Montana___________.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have signed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

Artist____________Deborah Bright___________ Exhibitor:___Northcutt-Steele Gallery________ Company Name

By_____________________________________________

Authorized Signatory, Title

Schedule of Artworks

1. Title: Bitch Angel

Dimensions: 31x42 inches