WHY JOIN AVENUE ART?

Our prominent location in a busy downtown area gives Avenue Art members' artwork the potential to be viewed by hundreds of art buyers each day. In addition to selling your art in a professional setting (see photo), the rent is affordable and it can beneficial for you to belong to a network of other artists who promote and support their creativity.

For the buyer:

Avenue Art is comprised a group of dedicated artists. Their works run the gamut from jewelry to hand-crafted gift items to paintings. There is something for every taste and every price range. All of our artists reside in the Bay Area, though some have emigrated from as far away as New Zealand and China.

For the artist:

Our location is a bustling area of diners and shoppers, foot traffic and people out driving. AVENUE ART has exposure to thousands of art lovers and potential art buyers. AVENUE ART also holds receptions showcasing two featured artists once a month during which time their works are displayed in the large prominent windows facing the street.

Being a member of Avenue Art means having the support of fellow artists, a prominent venue in which to display the work and a vigorous merchant's associaton to help promote the gallery.

Our local Downtown San Mateo Merchants Association is very supportive our cooperative concept and gallery and encourages mutual merchant support among the 131 restaurants and many coffee houses and retail outlets. Going forward, Avenue Art will be participating in the monthly Art Walk and other community events in addition to our "featured artists" shows every month.

Higher Commissions for Artists

Typically, other galleries require 40-50% in commission. AVENUE ART offers artists 70 percent of all money generated from the sale of the artwork. And when you sell your work or other artists' work in the gallery, you make an additional 10 percent from the sale.

Wider Client Potential

Downtown San Mateo is a bustling area of diners and shoppers, foot traffic and people out driving. AVENUE ART gives you exposure to thousands of art lovers and potential art buyers. AVENUE ART also holds receptions showcasing two featured artists once a month during which time their works are displayed in the large prominent windows facing the street.

Affordability

Running a gallery in an upscale location such as Third Avenue is very expensive, but if an artist wanted to start a gallery in a prime location to show their artwork, it would be cost prohibited. It would cost thousands of dollars to cover rent, utilities, staff, operational costs and promotion. Avenue Art members can get the same services and result by renting wall space at AVENUE ART, without the high cost and the time commitment.

Monthly spaces rent for $60-$175, depending on size and location. Display areas range from 4' x 8' panels to 9.5' feet wall space with very high ceiling and strategically placed lighting. In addition to the monthly rental, members pay a yearly membership fee of $75. This entitles the artist to remain connected to the group even when they have to take a leave of absence, along with a web page, waiver of jurying dues for group shows and other services.

Membership

We have two types of Membership: Full Membership and Affiliate Membership.

Full Membership Features:

Gallery space
Yearly show and reception
Participation in committees
Professional email announcements of yours and others' events
Website featuring member artists' work with a link to their own websites
Press coverage
Design of professional quality postcards promoting monthly exhibits
Support from local merchants and merchant association
A community of fellow artists providing support and inspiration

Affiliate Membership Features:

Invitations to receptions
Website presence with image of work and links to your website
An opportunity to be juried in as full members when space permits
A community of fellow artists providing support and inspiration
An opportunity to exhibit in our Theme displays (juried)
Support from local merchants and merchant association
Participation in local art events

COMMITMENT - What is Required of Full Members

Exhibiting member artists are required to work two to three gallery shifts per month, each shift consisting of four hours of gallery-sitting. All artists must attend one bi-monthly meeting to plan exhibits, to offer input and strategy as to pricing of work and networking suggestions. Member artists price their own work but should get some feedback from other members to determine whether their art is priced well for the market. Each artist is responsible for insuring and/or assuming liability for their own work.

Artists' names will be randomly drawn to determine sequence of monthly Featured Artists and Reception.

BECOMING A MEMBER

AVENUE ART invites Bay Area artists to apply for membership in the gallery.

• Contact Jackie by e-mail at AvenueArt or (650) 245-6400 to request application
  Fill in application form
• You will be contacted to arrange a meeting to present your work (bring five samples, including one original to show)
• Leave two photo/color copies for file
• Once accepted, you will be required to sign a contract