Working the Gallery, Two Angles - Two Angels of Art and More!
For those artists that have volunteered at Open Space Arts (OSA) at Stonebridge, we get to work with and get to know the other artist volunteers better each time we meet AKA- work the same shift. We enjoy the camaraderie with the guests that come to the door (or TRY to as they fly by the door) as well as the other volunteer artists we work with. Here are the stories of two such artists that I thoroughly enjoy working with at the gallery.
Two Prince William Art Society (PWAS) Members Tell the Art of Getting Guests to Come In
These two PWAS (Prince William Art Society) members, that I have had the pleasure to work with and have admired their style of welcoming the guests so much, have been asked to write something for the blog to share on how and what they do. The two gentlemen are Otis Stanley and Mark Murphy. Here are their Open Space Arts stories.
Otis Stanley
"If you have ever volunteered with Otis Stanley at the OSA you already know that he doesn't wait for patrons to walk in the gallery. Otis pleasantly invites patrons in. After a friendly greeting, he informs those strolling by of the treasures that await them inside.
"Because of our fantastic location in the center of the block I take advantage of husbands waiting for wives and girlfriends at Ulta, and families heading to Barnes and Noble." Once a few visitors are in the gallery, Otis comes in and engages in conversation about the mission of the gallery and invites them to join PWAS (the Prince William Art Society).
Through this pattern, Otis has brought in several new members to PWAS. A People's Choice Award winner, Otis is glad of his choice to join PWAS and grateful of the information he has gathered since his membership. "I have sold several paintings and drawings since joining PWAS, and built friendships that I hope last for years to come. If I can help my fellow creative friends do the same, than I am making my volunteering have purpose.""
Otis Stanley working the door at Open Space Arts
Mark Murphy
"Some ideas on inviting visitors into the OSA gallery...
Engaging strangers walking by the gallery can feel awkward or uncomfortable. Here are a few ideas I picked up by watching those who successfully pull in the crowds.
Politeness and enthusiasm are the key. I don't interrupt people engaged in conversation or clearly "on a mission" to get to work, get to their car, etc. Unless someone is actively avoiding eye contact or attention, I cheerfully invite them in saying things like, "Are you in the mood for a stroll through an air-conditioned art gallery?" or "Would you like to see a variety of art from 40 different Prince William County artists?". If there is any interest I'll sometimes add motivators like "It's free" or "You're bound to see something you like".
Many times people are rushing to a restaurant. In those cases I tell them, "We're open 'til 7 (or 5)". If they say, "Maybe another day", I usually respond with, "We'll be here for you" or "We have different shows all the time." If a family walks by with children, I'll sometimes say, 'This is a great way to encourage young artists".
It is easy to be enthusiastic about the gallery. The facility is beautiful, the art is high quality, and visitors have the opportunity to interact with some of the artists.
Once visitors are inside and given the basic introduction to the gallery, I try to get a sense for their preferred browsing experience. Do they enjoy chatting about the art or would they prefer to be left alone in quiet contemplation? Knowing a little about every piece or every artist makes it easy to strike up a conversation when the visitor is staring at a given piece. I often tell them what I like about the piece or why the artist is an interesting person. If the response is cold then I just back off and say something like, "If you have any questions about the art or the artists just let us know." I'll sometimes throw in, "XXX and I are two of the artists exhibiting here."
Our primary goal is helping visitors enjoy the art, but making sales is also very satisfying. For tips on salesmanship I've watched Otis, Tony, Fatima, and Ken, all of whom seem to do it well. If you have ideas on encouraging art visitors to become art owners please share.
Many of us have also found that setting up a table outside (weather permitting) and working on some art is an effective way to get potential visitors to engage. When passers by pause to take a look, it is easy to open the conversation about the gallery. I've found that you need to be comfortable with leaving your art unattended outside. Particularly if there are only two people on the shift, when the gallery starts to fill, we can't always afford to have one volunteer sitting outside. There are a couple lightweight plastic folding tables in the back. If I can't find a folding chair I just borrow one of the high chairs behind the desk."
Mark Murphy at OSA's pop-up art show with PWAS artists for the "Taste of Woodbridge" event
Other Artists with Drawing Power
With that said (thank you Otis and Mark!), we often have artists that set up a table in the window area inside and they wave people in too as they stop to see what they are doing!
An artist from the June student art show, Carlos
Kelly Haneklau working on her art and greeting visitors
Richard Tyler at the window "studio" of Open Space Arts
Stephanie McGee working her fascinating quilling techniques at the window
The Visitors to Open Space Arts
We are all thrilled to get the chance to meet and greet the visitors to the gallery as well. We are tickled silly how excited they are to walk into the gallery and how amazed they are to see the art! Some get on their phones and tell their friends, others come back later with those friends and family. And of course, we love telling them that "WE" the volunteers (often) have art up too, and they want us to point ours out. Talk about joy to an artists little ears (or ear if you are Van Gogh).
The July - August art show at Open Space Arts, "Summer Spotlight on Art" just came down on August 14. So you will need to come to the gallery to see Otis and Mark's artwork a little later in the year, but our next art show will be "A Walk Through Ghana" with photographer Kwadwo Birikorang Adjei.
Of course, now that I have "spilled the beans" on these two artist volunteers, the Signup Genius Volunteer Schedule will fill up whenever they are on a shift!
Author: Otis Stanley
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA
Author: Mark Murphy
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA
Photography/Video Credits:
Otis Stanley and Mark Murphy, Donna Liguria
Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The
Prince William Art Society is a 50-year old non-profit art group in PWC
for the the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern
Virginia.
Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are
an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a
member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's
emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
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