More on Bedford Gallery Tackiness

TCA spoke with an artist who was at the Bedford Gallery opening where it cost $5 to enter. This artist reported that the place was packed, mainly with "art ladies," some of whom were friends of the artists in the show but many of whom seemed to be locals "who just love art." You know the kind. Many appeared to have had purchased new outfits just for the occasion, our spy reported.

Outside, some people who had come to the opening were complaining they didn't have $5, that they didn't bring cash when going to an art opening. There were also one or two "homeless guys" asking for spare change. Heck, I don't blame them. If I were down and out, I'd head over to a place where it was rumored that suburban ladies in new outfits were throwing money away.

Back inside: the artists who had work in the show were required to wear round labels with their names and the word "Artist." This is the type of label that sticks because of a tacky substance on the back.

The food and drinks we were meager and sub-standard despite the charge. I see someone commented on this already.

TCA also spoke to an artist who has had some connection with the Bedford Gallery for years. She was appalled at the idea that a fee would be charged to attend an opening and said she had never heard of such a thing before.

She did know about the charge the gallery levies for those who simply want to see an exhibit. She had been on the committee that discussed such fees, in fact. The original fee proposed had been $7 or $8, she thought. Those in favor of that amount pointed out that the Museum of Modern Art in SF charged more than that, but she and others argued that the Bedford Gallery was not SFMOMA and was not in San Francisco. She felt, as she still feels, that a high fee -- or any fee -- would keep out those who could benefit most from seeing a show: art students and young artists. It is, after all, a community gallery that is supposed to serve the people. The committee reached a compromise of sorts and set the entrance fee at $4. Now it is $5, more for "special." shows.

We also heard directly from an artist who has significant gallery representation and thus has not entered juried shows in several years. She was approached by a member of the staff and asked to submit to the show because, according to that person, they had not had many good submissions, and wanted some good work in the show. She declined. But then was asked again -- as a favor, please. She agreed and was charged $35 to submit her work. (TCA is aware of the practice of inviting artists to show along side of those who had to submit their work to the jury process, but this is different; such artist are usually honored, not charged.) She was accepted, so had to take her work to the gallery, a good three-hour round trip if all went well. After dropping off her work, she asked if she could take a look at the current show in the gallery. She was told yes, then charged $7 for the privilege.