I think there should definitely be a connection, and a direct one at that.
I see so many shops in art museums that sell unrelated toys and things along
with the related stuff, that the shop might as well be an outlet of Zany
Brainy.

Since we are an art center rather than a museum, our gift shop sells
primarily handcrafted items by local and regional artists (including our
students, and items that have been made right in our studios)--those items
that are not handcrafted have been produced from a design by and under the
supervision of a local artist.  We also sell a few basic art supplies.

This summer we are trying something new:  in the galleries we will have
exhibitions of contemporary art made from craft media (wood, metal, clay,
glass, and fiber) using traditional craftworking techniques.  Several of the
artists have "production" work that they sell:  for example, one of the
fiber artists makes beautifully embroidered wall hangings 50" x 72" which
normally sell for thousands of dollars, which we are exhibiting in the
gallery, but she also makes small quilted pieces 12" x 12" which are quite
affordable and which she sells in high-end craft galleries.  She will have
several of the smaller pieces to sell in the shop, plus she will be teaching
a week-long embroidery workshop while her exhibition is on view.

By doing this, we are not only providing an educational experience in the
galleries as well as in the studio, but we are also enabling an artist to
sell her work.  I see this as a direct extension of our mission.


Julia Muney Moore
Director of Exhibitions and Artist Services