Advice for buying local art?
Higgs emails:
Do you know of local stores/galleries from which one can buy art? I'm thinking mostly along the lines of paintings created by local artists, but anything else is great, too.
There are a lot of galleries around the Capital Region, especially if you draw the circle wide enough to include a place such as Hudson. And if you have a favorite local gallery or local artist, please share.
But we're also hoping people will have some advice for Higgs (and everyone else) about the process of buying art. Where to look? What to look for? Buy directly from an artist? Advantages/disadvantages of buying through a gallery? Maybe tips about how to figure out what you like and how to make it work in your house/office/wherever?
So, got a suggestion on any of that... please share!
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Comments
I believe that Alacrity Frame Workshop on Lark features rotating local artists.
... said Valerae on Oct 28, 2013 at 11:57 AM | link
Albany has some great options. First, check out Alacrity Frame Workshop on Lark (http://www.alacrityframeworkshop.com/). They always have local art available for purchase.
Another great option, also on Lark, is The Upstate Artists Guild (http://upstateartistsguild.org/). Their hours are a little hard to pin down, but they have a new exhibit every month and their prices are very affordable.
The Albany Center Gallery in on Columbia downtown (http://www.albanycentergallery.org/) and is fantastic.
Besides galleries, a lot of local businesses also sell local art. For example, Uncommon Grounds in University Plaza has a selection of paintings, prints, and photographs that varies monthly. To make a purchase you need to call the person who curates the display. Her phone number is on the wall by where the newspapers are stored. Or just ask the manager.
I'd also recommend going on a day trip to Woodstock. Besides being a pretty cute town it has 100+ years of history as an artists community. There are a ton of galleries nestled throughout the area. But right in town you'll find the Woodstock School of Art (http://woodstockschoolofart.org/), Woodstock Artists Association (http://www.woodstockart.org/), and the Fletcher Gallery (http://fletchergallery.com/). The Artist Association has a great little shop where you can buy affordable prints. The Fletcher Gallery has excellent exhibits, but is a tad pricey, so depending on your budget you might not find anything there.
These are all pretty good options, but my absolute favorite way to buy art is at auction. Woodstock has two very large art auctions that bookend the summer. The Labor Day auction is run by Tom Fletcher (from the Fletcher Gallery) and is a benefit for the Woodstock Day School. It usually has 200+ pieces that range in price from about $50 to over $10,000, with the average probably $750. The labor day auction is run by James Cox of the James Cox Gallery. Again, it will have 200+ pieces from well known artists that were active in Woodstock and the Hudson Valley; the price range is about the same as the memorial day auction.
Take a look at the archived auctions on Live Auctioneers (http://www.liveauctioneers.com/james-cox-gallery, http://www.liveauctioneers.com/fletcher-gallery) to see if they would be interesting to you.
Happy Hunting!
... said Erik on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:04 PM | link
We have rotating local artists every month for 1st Friday. All of their work is for sale. Stop in and check it out! You'll be glad you did..
... said Chef Kevin P. Everleth on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:16 PM | link
Check out Sorelle Gallery in Stuyvesant Plaza. You can get on their mailing list to hear about new art in the gallery and the frequent receptions they have for artists.
http://sorellegallery.com/
The frame shop/gallery Artforms in Guilderland is another place to look.
http://www.artformsalbany.com/
... said chrisck on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:25 PM | link
I know you mentioned paintings but I met a pretty talented metal-art guy at the Delmar Farmers Market on Saturday. He did have a few drawings along the bottom of his table though....
... said Rich on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:43 PM | link
The Arts Center of the Capital Region has rotating shows about every 2 months. The artists are always local, and the work is typically for sale. Every spring we also have the "Fence Show" where local artists can submit work. It's notable because we have over 500 pieces each year, with about 70% of it for sale.
Also in Troy is Clements and Fulton Street Gallery.
... said Lauren Hittinger on Oct 28, 2013 at 12:45 PM | link
Thanks for the great info, Erik.
... said Bill on Oct 28, 2013 at 1:38 PM | link
Go to Historic Albany Foundation's BUILT event this weekend! You'll see a great sampling of painting, sculpture, and photography and the artists that created them right there at the event. And then you'll be able to talk to them about other pieces of their work that you might like. (It's really fun, too, and worth every penny to go.)
... said Laura on Oct 28, 2013 at 1:59 PM | link
First of all, thank you for asking. Depending on your budget and where you want to travel, there are many selling galleries in the Capital Region:
1. The Arts Center in Troy
2. Fulton Street Gallery in Troy
3. Martinez Gallery in Troy
4. Clement Frame Shop in Troy
5. Eric Laffer Gallery in Stillwater
6. The Arts Center in Saratoga
7. Albany Center Gallery in Albany
8. Carrie Haddad in Hudson
9. John Davis in Hudson
10. Limner Gallery in Hudson
11. BCB Art in Hudson
And of course as Laura noted above, there will be a huge selection from the areas finest artists at the annual "Built" party, this Saturday at 60 State Street in Albany. All proceeds benefit Historic Albany Foundation and the pieces are TOP NOTCH!
http://www.historic-albany.org/built.html
... said Jamie on Oct 28, 2013 at 3:15 PM | link
BONOBO Cafe & Gallery at 174 Madison in Albany shows local art for sale.
... said Scott on Oct 28, 2013 at 7:10 PM | link
We also host monthly exhibitions featuring regional artists. For info about the current and upcoming exhibitions, visit www.albanybarn.org or call 518-935-4858.
... said Albany Barn on Oct 28, 2013 at 9:57 PM | link
Don't overlook the excellent shows/sales at the William K. Sanford (Colonie) Library.
... said IndieAlbany alum on Oct 28, 2013 at 11:27 PM | link
If you like sculptures my bro in laws website is allardart.com there are many galleries in hudson too and saint rose has shows
... said mark on Oct 30, 2013 at 6:45 AM | link
Stop by my shop in Loudonville. We have a variety of art. Local and regional. Not to mention a full line of home decor. Simon Pearce Glass, handmade jewelry, occasional furniture. If you don't see what you're looking for I'm sure we can help you find it.
... said Jill on Oct 30, 2013 at 2:16 PM | link
If you are open to textile art, the local weavers' guild has its annual Show & Sale in a few weeks at the Pruyn House. Www.hmwg.org
... said Megan M on Oct 30, 2013 at 5:27 PM | link