think of it as an internship

This is going to get wordy, so I'm telling you right now to pass unless you have a curiosity about artist's co-ops.  I am writing in defense of them, sort of.  I say this having recently resigned from one- ha!  But, as I was ending my three and a half year involvement with this particular co-op gallery, I thought about all the good stuff learned from the experience:

• How to coordinate exhibits:  painting and patching panels, communicating with visiting artists, setting up the show, reception, marketing...
• Brainstorming ideas for exhibits, classes, community events.
• Some of what it takes to run a brick and mortar business.

More on the plus side:  You have control over your display- change it out, rearrange, whatever. Also, there is no denying the creativity boost from being part of some of the exhibits and being around other artists.  Then there's a pool of customers- some may be new to you, and it's a shop with regular hours so they know where to find you.  I have to admit, it was a difficult decision to end my time with this gallery.
  
Why did I leave, then?  Time and money.  Some travelling may be in my future.  Pottery is time-consuming work.  So is working at the co-op.  Being gone is a problem.  And, it wasn't making financial sense. The combined commission fee and rent comprised a yearly average of 40- 43% of what I sold.  I was not selling enough at this location to offset the costs. This is a small community and raising prices is not an option.  As I expect to be compensated for my time and experience, a better use of my time is to participate in shows where fees typically take 10 to 15% of my sales. Also, I've found it impossible to keep up with my Etsy shop, which I hope to have stocked and active again in a few months.

Anyone who has been involved in a an artist's co-op knows there are other factors which make it a difficult balancing act- getting a dozen or more people to agree on one course of action (often, things just did not get decided), and equal division of labor are a couple of famously common difficulties in co-ops. Then there's the age thing.  This didn't seem to bother anyone but me.  As a 58 year old, soon to be 59, I was one of the younger members.  For a variety of reasons I felt the organization needed a more diverse age range. But, with a shop open 6 days/week (closed Mondays) younger artists who are working full time (actual paying) jobs and may have little dependents are scared off by the thought of giving up a couple of weekend days per month to man the gallery.  I don't think they get past that consideration to even contemplate all the other responsibilities.

Remember, I started out talking about the positives. My advise is take a look at your local co-op and see what it has to offer you.  Don't forget, you'll probably have to jury in.  Here's the thing- if you can possibly swing it for a year or two, look at the experience as an educational tool.  The knowledge gained is invaluable.  Think of it as an internship.  You might get paid, too.

 all packed up