Late last year, I was invited to join Sean Kelley Art & Friends, an artist’s co-op gallery in downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware—the town where I live. Because my pottery is functional, not sculptural, I’d never considered joining an art gallery. But I had been looking for a financially feasible way to sell my work in person that wasn’t based on the ebb and flow nature of craft fairs and markets. This opportunity felt like the perfect fit!
With the start of my one-year lease, I moved in on New Year’s Day 2022. My better half Lindsay is a creative director, and I leaned on her eye for design to help set up my display, a center table in the middle of the gallery.
We chose to display my pieces by color scheme for a modern look. Each side of the table was assigned a color collection.
Since storage space is limited in the gallery, I chose to use an all-purpose cart that slides under the table to store bags and packing materials, so that I can send customers out the door with their pieces protected by bubble wrap and tissue paper in branded bags. Bubble wrap is stored in a handy preexisting shelf under the table. When someone buys a piece, I simply roll the cart out and everything I need is right there.
Air plants, wood risers, a few well-placed books, and directional signs helped round out the table display for warmth and context. And I sprinkled a few of my pots around the existing artists’ work in the window display to draw people in.
I’ll be working at the gallery on Thursdays & Fridays. I’ve already had a few sales and have enjoyed meeting locals & vacationers alike. I can’t wait to see how the year pans out!
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