Today we made a leisurely drive up north to remove my work from a co-op gallery I joined six months ago. This gallery has potential for growth but I chose to not stick around to see it as the monthly fees far exceeded my proceeds.
As a rule I keep a inventory spreadsheet of my work showing in any gallery. I have been a member of another gallery since 2009 and this spreadsheet helps me keep track of what has shown there, what has sold there and what has come home from there. It is essential to my life as an artist member.
So armed with my trusty spreadsheet I signed off my inventory at the northern gallery noticing I was a couple items short. Then I noticed at the bottom of their inventory sheet were those two items listed as THEFT.
Theft? I queried. When I hung my work there initially I was concerned about shoplifting as there are so many hidden rooms and passages that sales staff could hardly monitor. Then I never gave it another thought.
It is sad really. Just think someone liked my work so much they stole it.
OMG, Carol, that totally sucks. I’m so sorry.
Did they compensate you? That is a shame. Seems like a good move to chalk this off.
Bummer. And the gallery let you find out at pick up, rather than contacting you to share the news. It’s good you’re not there.