The Prince William Art Society Art Store Online
Published: November 1, 2024 Updated:
On the PWAS website, we have an online Art Store located at:
https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/category/all-products
We have had several questions about what the PWAS Art Store is, does, how it works - so we want to address it here for more clarity for the PWAS Membership as well as the potential Buyers to better understand the processes behind the use of the Art Store.
PWAS Website Art Store and Art Gallery Showcase
In 2023, our PWAS webmaster created an online PWAS Art Store. There are occasional art shows, locations, or events where the art group has shown artwork, be it a library, winery, or other business that does not have a point of sale system or manager in regards to the art on display for making an art sale, so we needed to offer a solution. When there is no POS (Point of Sale) at the location, a QR Code is given for interested parties to shop the artwork on display and safely and securing purchase art that they like.
The PWAS Showcase Gallery
has been on the Prince William Art Society for quite awhile but this
section of the website is basically a web page for any PWAS
member that cares to use that option. There is a small inexpensive annual fee that
is for one year and the Artist can display about 10 of their artworks and should include a brief bio and contact information. The Showcase could be especially great for members that perhaps don't have their own website or as an addition to their own. See FAQs for more info.
For those locations that do not have a POS option for the art on display, we provide a QR Code, and sometimes there may also be a posted price list for the art.
Using your phone, if you hold up your phone to the picture above in "take a picture mode", you will see yellow lines appear and you can click on the yellow URL link that will appear momentarily on your phone which will take you directly to the Prince William Art Society website - to the Art Store page.
Once the web page opens on your phone, you can browse the PWAS Art Store. When you see the Filter & Sort link, you can select that to narrow down precisely what you want to find in the store or browse everything showing.
The Art Store is different when looking at it with your mobile device than on your PC (if you still use one). Perhaps its somewhere on your mobile, but on the PC you can also sort by Price (low to high), Price (high to low), Name A-Z, and Name Z-A.
We intentionally created the QR Code to land on the Art Store "home" page so that the viewer can see all of the artwork displayed. Occasionally a person needs to think about an art piece they saw at a show location and may think about the art in the store later and may find something they love in the PWAS Art Store.
https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/category/all-products
There are many options to search for art in the store. Click on a Browse By Category such as Paintings or Photography, a location like Montclair Library for what is on display there, or search for size or medium. Filter By are optional search features.
https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/category/montclair-library
Image 2. Filter & Sort Options
A potential Buyer can safely purchase member artworks directly in the store much like on Amazon or elsewhere except that PWAS does not ship the item to you. Artwork will be handled differently - for many reasons like:
- Some show locations want the art display to remain up for the duration of the show, sold or not.
- PWAS is not responsible for the shipping and shipping costs that would add to the Price posted on the artwork.
How the PWAS Art Store Works
On each item in the Art Store, note the Excluding Sales Tax and Pickup Only. Sales tax will be added to each item sold of course, Virginia requires that. Pickup Only means that PWAS does NOT ship the artwork.
So keep in mind that you probably will not be able to see it and buy it and take it home with you all on the same day. Some art shows demand that artwork stays up for the duration of the show. The other consideration is that between time of purchase and notification of the artist, then the artist contacting you - time will have passed and you will have probably left the library or location. The location/business is not managing the Sales of Artwork, so they cannot take down art from the walls.
A Sidenote: I
have seen gallery spaces that wanted the artwork to stay up for the length
of the show but have occasionally reconsidered this as they have visitors from
-anywhere- that may want to purchase art and/or may only be in town for one day. This is an exception to the
rule that a gallery sales person may make, but I'd consider this a rare
circumstance. The gallery may be able to do this is they are the POS. If there is not an actual sales person to manage the sale
at the location, I'd say this was much less an option.
Nonetheless, when an art sale occurs, an email notification is sent to the PWAS Store Managers, followed by an email sent to the Artist letting him/her know that their artwork has sold. The Buyer is sent a confirmation email and the Buyer's contact information is sent to the Artist.
The
Artist, contacting the Buyer, will setup pickup or drop-off day and time. A PWAS member will
be placing a "Red Dot" on the artwork in a timely manner which is the
universal art world's notification that this artwork is SOLD. The PWAS
Art Store will also be updated to show SOLD on the artwork.
For the Buyer
First of all, we thank you for supporting the artists of the Prince William Art Society.
Print out your email notification as proof of purchase and carry it with you when picking up or artist drop off.
Understand
that not all art shows are set up with purchase and carry shopping.
Besides, if you are purchasing an original artwork piece of art from a local
artist, isn't it even better to meet the artist in person and perhaps
get a picture with him or her? Be sure and get a business card from the artist (they should have one!) so that you can perhaps follow what else they have created and perhaps commission work later.
About Pickup or Drop off
The Artist will contact the Buyer to make arrangements for pickup or drop off of the artwork as however the agreement is made.
A
good option is perhaps the pickup of artwork at the end of the show
when its often convenient as the artwork is being taken down that day any way.
About Shipping
PWAS
does not offer Shipping of the Artwork. If the Buyer wants an item
shipped, that is between the Buyer and the Artist, if he or she wants to
offer those additional arrangements and charge extra fees. The Artist would be responsible for the POS shipping costs at that point if he or she has that ability.
Some Calls for Art may request that the art remain in the physical location for the duration of the show. The Artist could have the Buyer with his invoice pickup the artwork as the show comes down or make other arrangements.
Find Artwork You Love
When you take a snap shot of the QR Code posted in the show location, scroll through the art work to find the piece(s) you are interested in.
Image 3. A Look at the PWAS Art Store
Click on any image and the details of the artwork are shown which may include if it's framed or not, the medium, the size, inspiration behind the artwork, and may include a brief artist bio and link.
Image 4. Artwork Details
Simply click "Add to Cart" and add your details and payment information. Note that the small image "purse" at the top of the website will show what you have in your 'shopping cart'. Proceed through the payment and print your receipt.
Again, we thank you for your support of the arts and artists.
For the Artist
When
the Prince William Art Society uses the Art Store for POS for artwork, there is typically a Call for Art
of some sort. As always, read your Call for Art carefully to fully
understand the process and to submit your art correctly. Incorrectly submitted art -can- potentially reduce your chances of not being in the show.
We have a ton of information on this PWAS Artistry Spin blog to educate yourself about the many aspects of showing your art that you need to read to give yourself your best opportunity in presenting your art - and being accepted in shows.
Follow the directions completely for any Call for Art and understand upfront that the Art Store generally needs more information than alternative types of art shows, sales, and labeling. Viewers may not visually have eyes on the physical artwork in front of them, so your description about the artwork needs to clearly answer a question they may have and help make the sale. Think, "What would I want to know if I was shopping for art?"
- What is the prominent feature of it?
- What color is the frame?
- How big is it?
- Where could I put it in my house?
- Will it fit in my house?
- What is it made out of?
- What was the inspiration for this artwork?
- Where is this?
- WOW, who is the Artist that did this!?
- I LOVE this Artist's style, what else do they do?
In the PWAS Art Store, there is not an option for variations in prices, sizes, framed or unframed, etc. I'm going to offer an example of a recent Artist's dilemma.
The Artist had optional frames in colors available. In the Art Store, there are no options to afford the Buyer a selection in which color frame they want the artwork in. PWAS is not responsible for this choice either. If the Buyer sees that artwork at a show, in say a black frame and they want to purchase it, fine. Great. The notification will go to the Buyer to verify the sale and the Artist will be notified too. At that point, when the Artist contacts the Buyer to set up the drop off / pickup date he or she could ask them if they have a preference in frame color if the Artist wants to go that route. The artwork will have already been sold at the stated price.
The Frame
Often, in a Call there is a request for a submission image to NOT include the frame. In the Art Store, I think it is a good idea to show the artwork in its frame. The viewer would want to know what color the frame is and the size. Is it a glass or some other covering to protect the surface? Glass can add a lot of weight to the artwork.
The Buyer may want to know the exact measurements: including the artwork itself, the matting, the frame. Buyers may want to know how much it sticks out from the wall too. I've had that consideration from a Buyer because the she was filling a gallery wall in her home and wanted her display to remain more flat to the wall.
The Canvas
If its a gallery wrapped canvas, how are the sides finished? If the canvas is not framed, should the Buyer have it framed?
Typically, gallery wrapped canvases can come in 1.5 inch thickness or .75 thickness. It is a good idea to show your measurements for an unframed canvas artwork similar to 16x20x1.5 or 20x20x1.5 for example. Or as a standard LengthxWidthxDepth in inches.
Again, to learn more about how the PWAS group expects Fine Art to be Displayed, see the link provided here.
The Medium
What is the precise medium used? Acrylic, Watercolor, Oil, Pastels, Charcoal...
If it is Mixed Media, say your main options used. Mixed Media is too vague a term. The Art Store can add the various options you may want to emphasize.
The Description
As stated above, when you go to the Art Store and click on an image of an artwork, the details about that art piece will show.
The Store allows a good amount of room here for the painting or artwork details so go for it. You can include your inspiration for the art piece. Describe how you created it. Is it textured? Where is the place you painted or the photo you took? What are some important things to point out?
Who are you as an Artist? You can include a short bio and a link to your website, web page, social media, etc. This is great search engine food so fill in this space. For the internet, the old saying is "Content is King".
The Price
As with any art show, the Price is up to you. If you want to learn more about pricing your art, see Pricing. In some locations, they request that the label not have the price and they direct the interested parties to view a posted price list and/or QR Code. See above.
Understand Commissions
We have shown at some wineries that may sell the artwork through their own system, and they typically take their sales commission out prior to sending PWAS the remaining balance. Then PWAS would take their commission % and send the Artist the remainder.
If the PWAS Art Store is used in reverse, then PWAS would take their commission, less the location's commission (if a percentage is charged) and send the location commission to the show location and then the balance going to the Artist.
Note here that its important to know your exact commission when you price your art. The PWAS commission is 20% but if the location's commission is on the high end, PWAS will often lower their %. Not a rule but a potential option. Read about Commissions here.
An art group taking a commission helps with their operating expenses which all nonprofits have. All the potential expenses of an art group is covered in another blog post.... As a few folks don't understand the business of having a not-for-profit art group and how they manage the monies.
After Submitting Art to the Call for Art
Step back one second here.
BEFORE you submit your entry for a Call for Art - VERIFY what you typed. Check sizes and price most especially.
When PWAS is collecting art that will go into the Art Store, we request that you AS SOON AS POSSIBLE when requested, go TO THE STORE and verify that all of your information is accurate. Check everything - especially size and PRICE. We are all human here - did the store manager type an ooops or did you? You must verify for accuracy. When the store is live for you to see it, it is also live for website visitors as well.
This may all seem extreme in some form but you might be surprised at how often someone does NOT follow the instructions, suggestions and REQUIREMENTS as given. Most Calls for Art do not tolerate nor make corrections at all, once artwork is submitted, and if you think about it, why should they?
A
recent story. I asked for a Call and several Artists had mistyped the
sizes AND the price. I copy and paste the info into the forms and lists needed for a show,
and often into the Art Store itself. And picture this as an extreme example: What if you missed typing a 0? What if you wanted $1000 for an artwork and missed a zero and did not take the time to check what your artwork looks like in the Art Store? 'Nuff said?
Optional: There is also another option to having your art in the PWAS Art Store. We have asked for members to send ONE art piece to pwas.art1@gmail.com with all of the same requirements. This artwork is not subject to being juried or being at a current show. The artwork is asked for to help populate the Art Store and to give the members a chance at using the Art Store.
The ONE very important thing to follow is that if it sells, ANYWHERE, If you sell it at an art show elsewhere, or give it to your best friend, and the artwork shows for sale in the PWAS Store, you MUST let us know it sold or is no longer available so that we can remove it from the shop. We will not be held responsible for refunds nor fees incurred for selling the artwork twice.
I'm going to also note here that while Larry Burch is the PWAS webmaster, Donna Liguria is the Art Store manager. Someone asked that question too, wondering how they could update their information in the shop. I update it for you.
Setting up Pickup or Drop Off
You as the Artist are responsible for setting up arrangements on a good, safe, convenient way to get the art to the Buyer. You could perhaps set up pickup when the art is scheduled to come down from the art show and the Buyer meets you there or arrange to meet in a public location. Do what you are comfortable with.
Do give the Buyer your business card. They may want to follow you on social media and know when you have new artworks on display. Perhaps they might want to commission an artwork from you at some point.
The PWAS commission will be deducted from the art sold and the PWAS Treasurer will email the remainder to the Artist in a timely manner or end of show.
You Help Sell Your Art
The PWAS reach online and social media only goes to far. You need to help to promote that your artwork is in the store and at the location to your own friends, family and followers. The PWAS posts may not reach them!
There are a few things to point out about the details - description page.
- If you have social media, and if you are logged into the correlated link, you can easily share your artwork with others. Available link options are WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter/X, and Pinterest. Click, add some details, use a hashtag like #YourArtistName #MontclairLibrary #PWAS #PrinceWilliamArtSociety
- Use the URL at the top of the page. Copy the web address and add it anywhere to show off your art. Add it to the bottom of your email too. Invite others to go to the Montclair Library to see the show!
- Breadcrumb Navigation is an option for navigating the store.
- Prev | Next is another way to use navigation within the store.
For PWAS Art Store questions: store@princewilliamartsociety.com
And a final thought
Anyone that has managed a Call for Art for an art group can tell you the 'horror' stories of how very difficult it can be when 'herding the kittens'. I know Penny Shaw, Staci Blanchard, Sandra McClelland Lewin and a few others have done it before for PWAS. All we really can say is to HELP us by doing your part by reading and understanding and following the show and store requirements.
Have we made mistakes on entries as one of those kittens before? Probably. I know I have. And I know it makes for extra work for the volunteer managing that Call. We are all volunteers here so HELP us HELP you. I'd hate to think that anyone's $1000 artwork sold for $100, wouldn't you? And all because it wasn't verified.
Tell me what you think of this article in the comments below.
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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic
painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects.
Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
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