Art gallery tries in-home approach
Posted: Tuesday, Jul. 29, 2008

Allison Wolf Hertzler

Art can be a tough sale in a shaky economy.
Allison Wolf Hertzler of Green Rice Gallery in NoDa is trying to convince consumers otherwise. Two weeks ago, Hertzler launched free in-home art consultations for would-be clients. She and her staff bring original artwork to people's homes, where they discuss how the art is made and what would look good in the space.

She also started sponsoring parties where people invite friends to their homes to munch on nibbles and look at art. The host earns credits for each piece sold and receives discounts at the gallery. Think Tupperware party, only with mixed media and canvas.

“Our thought process, with the economy the way it is, is when a person can talk to an artist, or meet one of us, the comfort level changes,” she said. “Art buying becomes easier. There's not necessarily a huge skill involved.”

Art, she said, “is going to be there forever, no matter what the economy does.”  And it saves customers on gas, she said.

Hertzler said sales have remained steady this year. Prices range from $40 for an original photograph to about $2,000 for a figurine. But rising costs of paints, canvas and other supplies have pushed up expenses. She recently spent $1,000 to produce a show, about twice what it would have cost a few years ago, she said. Some artists are forgoing expensive frames to keep prices low.

Kerry Hall: 704-358-5085 or khall@charlotteobserver.com