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Ann Arbor Art Center: a shop, a mission |
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To children involved in art classes or young people in
the ArtMakers outreach program, the Art Center is a place to create, learn
and build self-esteem. To Michigan artists, the Art Center is a valuable venue
for getting their work in the public eye. Gallery shop director Millie Webster enjoys the diversity
in the mission of her workplace. She handles the complex but rewarding
challenge of arranging for artists to sell their work in the Center’s
shop and is involved in all facets of the Art Center’s work. “I see little kids coming in for a birthday party
or to take a class, and I realize all our work in the retail part is going
to help the other purposes—it’s really exciting,” Webster
said. The Ann Arbor Art Center is a non-profit organization
serving Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County by providing education, exploration
and exhibition opportunities in the visual arts. It serves all segments
of the community, regardless of physical ability, economic status or level
of artistic skill. It also serves the entire state’s artistic community.
“We pride ourselves on having one of the largest selections of art
from Michigan artists in the state. Representing Michigan artists is our
focus,” Webster said. Founded in 1909, the Art Center moved to its current location
in 1975. With the added space, the Center had room for a retail area and
began selling the works of Michigan artists all year, instead of the annual
or occasional sales events held in its earlier days.
Signage is important. The stairway leading from the shop
to the other areas of the Art Center has a large sign beckoning people
to “Come on up! Join in!” along with signs featuring programs
such as “ArtVentures” or “Sundays @ 1,” a family-oriented
creative program. The Art Center’s non-profit status sets it apart
from other downtown stores. A survey showed the Center that customers
prefer buying from a store when they know that part of the sale is going
to support outreach programs. “Customers know they’re giving back to the community
and it’s a feel-good purchase,” Dusseau said. “We’re working toward enforcing that idea with
each purchase,” added Webster. “We include a thank-you card
with each purchase that states, ‘Your purchase supports community
outreach programs for disadvantaged audiences.’ It goes in every
bag or gift box.” Webster, whose past work experience includes galleries
and retail stores, says working closely with artists is one of her favorite
parts of the job. She sees her role as working for artists, supporting
them and helping them learn the ropes. “I try to give newer artists a broad view of the
gallery scene: this is how we do this here, but in other galleries this
is what you might expect. It’s a learning experience for newer artists,
Webster explained.” “There are many ways to find artists. We occasionally
have a call for artists; we also attend art shows around the state. And
artists walk in off the street, interested in getting their pieces in
the store.” She meets with artists twice a week, by appointment. “Artists
often mail me slides or photos of their work first, but for this shop
it’s not a requirement,” Webster said. “They can bring
photos, slides or actual pieces to our meeting. That approach is somewhat
unique—most galleries require the submission of a portfolio before
even considering a meeting.”
Webster sees everyone from college students to professionals
who’ve been working for 30 years. Some artists have been regular
suppliers since the store opened; others are here for a few months or
years. On average, the store carries the work of 300 artists. “We may agree to carry a new artist’s work for
three months, and if it does well, we may keep it longer or expand the
artist’s inventory” she said. Certain times of the year are better for new artists,
such as the holiday season. For the holidays, Webster doubles the shop’s inventory.
That means taking over the exhibition gallery’s space, which at other
times displays the Center’s three annual juried shows or other displays
chosen for artistic rather than retail purposes. Like any retailer, Webster has budget goals and sales
targets to consider. She tracks the patterns of sales in different media
throughout the year. Jewelry and pottery sell well all year; fiber art—scarves,
dolls—does better in the winter, especially in the holiday season.
April is Michigan glass month, so the store features glass
art then. One of Webster’s plans for the future is to build on this
idea and choose other months to feature certain media. “At least six months of the year, we could feature
a different medium for the month,” Webster said. That would keep
the store’s appearance fresh and expose recurring customers to a
wider variety of items. “I feel fortunate to have this unique position,”
Webster said. “I get to deal with art, work for artists and take
part in the larger organization that’s doing important work. Sometimes
there’s not enough time in the day to do it all, but I’m lucky
to love what I’m doing.” |
To
shoppers strolling by the storefront’s attractive window displays,
the Ann Arbor Art Center is an upscale gift and art shop in the trendiest
area of downtown Ann Arbor.
People
taking classes or doing other things at the Art Center are not often customers
of the shop. But Rosina Dusseau, the Art Center’s marketing director,
tries to get shoppers to explore the rest of the art center, investigate
the class schedule, find out about the outreach programs or consider membership.
“I’m
trying to create a more comfortable relationship with the artists, because
we are a non-profit,” she added. “Part of our goal is to serve
the artist community, so I like being accessible to artists.”