WarmGlass.com

Are most artists paying 50% to gallery?

Absolutely. They are putting your work out to be seen by the public 7 days a week.
I think it is a good price.
The other Jim

A gallery is more likely to survive when keeping not 50% but 60% or more.
I would be wary of the survival rate of the 50% ones.
Of course if you never consign, what does it matter what they take after they've paid for it, they can charge whatever they want!

The key thing to remember is that with consignment you are decorating their business for free and they do not have the same incentive to sell it as when they actually own the item.
Also, have you ever tried to get your precious on consignment glass back after a gallery has declared bankruptcy?
Have you ever decided since your glass was not selling at a consignment gallery to go and pick it up only to find it was stuck in storage in the back?

That's when you need a good contract stipulating that the gallery does NOT own your work - ever!

Tod wrote:That's when you need a good contract stipulating that the gallery does NOT own your work - ever!

and someone local who can look in every now and then.

Another reason to only sell your pieces and not consign them. Getting paid is bad enough but baby sitting your art in a consignment gallery is a waste of time.

Sometimes that's the only game available. I've had both great and miserable consignment arrangements. The best were based on mutual trust.

Sounds like Kevin has had some bad experiences! As Marty says consignment can work and has been beneficial for me for the last 15yrs. Mutual trust, respect and timely payment makes for an excellent relationship.

My gallery charges me 38%, but I live in the Little Rock, Arkansas, Metro area.

Here in California it's been 50/50 for years. But since many have retired and/or closed for various reasons, many new galleries are back to 60/40.