So many art venues shut down during the pandemic.
Many of them undoubtedly mourned not only what might have been, but also the fact that there wasn't an opportunity for closure.
My guest for this episode of The Art Biz is Mai Wyn Schantz, artist and former gallerist. When she shuttered her gallery at the beginning of Covid, Mai Wyn was thrilled to be able to spend more time with her daughter.
But she hated to lose the relationships she had build over the years as the gallerist overseeing her eponymous space. Not only the relationships with her artists, but also the relationships with loyal collectors.
She needed closure, and she was determined to do right by her artists.
As soon as she felt it was safe, Mai Wyn organized a pop-up farewell exhibition with her artists. Her goal was to break even, which, as you'll hear, was far too conservative a goal. Her “little” pop-up was more successful than she dreamed of.
The success of the event is due to Mai Wyn's determination and commitment to the relationships she has nurtured throughout the years.
We discuss: the timing of the pop-up, the details for pulling it off, including the space she worked with, and what she learned from the experience. Mai Wyn is quite open about at least 3 things she would do differently next time. And they're BIG important things.
Highlights
- Mai Wyn’s journey to finding her space in galleries. (1:42)
- Acting as a gallerist when you feel like an imposter. (6:11)
- Mai Wyn's deep concern for her stable of artists informed how she ran the gallery. (8:58)
- Reflections on the decision to close her gallery. (11:55)
- Celebrating the closure the proper way with a pop-up gallery. (16:16)
- Artist requirements for participation in the event. (25:42)
- How to promote a pop-up event across your network. (27:08)
- Handling inventory and sales in a pop-up gallery. (30:10)
- Playing the part of the hostess means hiring the right kind of help. (32:50)
- Lessons learned from this hugely successful pop-up. (42:51)
- Exceeding sales expectations by 1000%. (49:00)
- The relationships that make artists and gallerists succeed. (50:26)
- Mai Wyn gets real about what’s up next for her as a reborn artist. (52:22)
1 thought on “The Art Biz ep. 109: Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz”
What a great interview and I found Mai’s story so inspiring! Love her dedication to helping the artists in her group as well.
Thanks also Alyson. You do such a wonderful job as the host.