works in various media, including ceramics, glass, jewelry, wood and sculpture

Currently looking for:

high-quality work from artists in the Northwest, especially from the Puget Sound area

Prime customers:

Many customers come from Seattle, Wash., as part of a day trip to Bainbridge Island. In the summer, the gallery serves customers from around the country and the world. Holiday shoppers also find one-of-a-kind gifts in the shop.

Signature crafts:

hand-printed greeting cards and small gifts

Exhibitions:

Monthly exhibitions are scheduled in the Pauli Dennis Gallery. Exhibitions are planned through 1999, including solo exhibitions, group shows and thematic shows. Twice a year, there are two-week exhibitions of work from local public schools.

"Many of the artists whose work we show in exhibitions are those who show their work regularly in the gallery's retail sales area," says Victoria Josslin, publicist for the gallery. "The May show, for example, shows the work of Sumi painters Fumiko Kimura and Reni Moriarity, metal sculptor Shane Miller and ceramist Rick Stafford, all of whom have work in the gallery."

Artists are found through:

The only crafts gallery on the island, BAC draws artists who are aware of this fact and are eager to show in the gallery. The staff also visits retail and wholesale craft shows during the year to look for new artists. The gallery conducts a monthly jurying session that includes a consultation with the artist.

Pricing:

Most of the work sells for $25-$125. Work in exhibitions can sell for over $1,000. Generally the artists set the prices, with consultation by the gallery staff.

Best-selling price points:

$25-$500

GALLERY OWNERS:

Would you like your gallery to be considered for inclusion in Gallery Profiles? If you have professional photos and/or slides of your gallery, and you're looking to attract new artists and new work, please send your photos and background information to: The Crafts Report attention: Kirsten Coughlin 300 Water St. Wilmington, DE 19801.

Purchase/consignment:

both methods are used. Consignment sales are divided 40 percent to the gallery, 60 percent to the artist.

Gallery size:

approximately 1,600 square feet, divided between two rooms. The larger room houses the retail area. The back space, the Pauli Dennis Gallery, is for changing exhibitions.

Number of artists currently represented:

about 250 artists in a wide range of media

Non-craft items sold:

paintings, posters, books, photography

Services offered to customers:

"At BAC, we pride ourselves on customer service and in handling commissions," says Josslin. "We also offer a layaway process. We maintain a gift registry and offer free gift-wrapping. We keep an artists background notebook for our customers, with résumés, photos and artists statements from many of our artists. We are in the process of reorganizing our shipping services."

Gallery location:

"BAC is in the heart of historic Winslow, on Bainbridge Island, a 35-minute picturesque ferry ride from downtown Seattle, and a short walk from the ferry dock," says Josslin.

To submit work to the gallery:

Send labeled slides or photographs, a price list, résumé and SASE to the gallery.

Why selling crafts:

"Our efforts to encourage local and regional artists and to provide a rich artistic experience in the community, especially in the public schools, stem from our belief that a strong arts community increases the health of the community at large," states Josslin.

Kirsten Coughlin is editorial assistant of The Crafts Report.

JULY 1998 HOME