Center Gallery at the Midwest Center for Photography

JC Kirk (18.07.2017 03:35)
UPDATE: My artwork was shipped to me on March 14th, 2017. Thank you for returning my work.

I'm very disappointed in everything, overall. Let me tell you my story.

I applied and submitted some artwork and paid the fees back in October 2013 to display one of my art photos. The process wasn't very clear (yet we had to clearly follow rules in order to be selected) and communication wasn't very good as I thought there was a size limit, so I ended up displaying an 8"x12" standout. I drop off my work the day before Final Friday (to an intern) and find out that others had very large pieces. I wish I would have known that beforehand. I also paid per item that I wanted to submit and display (which was five) but later told that only one image was chosen by her for me to display as my piece.

Final Friday rolls around and there was a good showing, several of my friends, family, and fans (if you will) showed up to check out the artists' works, etc. The Center Gallery is a smaller and quaint area on the street side to the building. Another larger space is on the back and is the home to another artist which has special showcases of certain artists' works such as paintings, drawings, and so forth. I believe that the larger gallery is not there anymore and I'm not sure what is now.

I understood that my art would remain on display for about a month (or until it sells) and then I would need to make arrangements to pick up my work otherwise it would be left there to sell and all monies would go to the gallery. So, to be clear, if my work sold then the gallery would get a large percentage and I would get a small portion. If it doesn't sell, then I would need to pick up my work if I wanted it back. If I didn't pick up my artwork then it would be put on sale and the gallery would get all of the money. I was okay with that because I explained to her that if it doesn't initially sell, then I would be picking it up and wanting it back.

The month passes. I try calling her at that number (which on her website it says "no voicemail" next to the phone number). I try emailing her several times and getting no reply back by phone or by email. I was never contacted. So, I try stopping by the gallery whenever I was in the area. Doors locked and nobody there. I wasn't being that persistent because it wasn't worth all of the time and gas money, etc. of trying to get my artwork back. I shouldn't have to make several trips down there.

I still get emails from her about information of upcoming events and new Calls for Entries.

All I wanted was my artwork back if it didn't sell during the event. I already paid money for submitting my entries, getting my work printed on a standout, and if sold a good portion of that money going towards the gallery. I just feel like I was ignored in order for me to "forfeit" my artwork to her and her gallery based on her gallery rules.

I haven't submitted anymore work to her gallery and will not in the future. I haven't pursued any further in getting my artwork back because frankly it would be cheaper and less hassle just to have it made again. It is the fact that everything was handled unprofessionally and with poor customer service.

I also felt that "the jury" (person or persons that judges and places the artworks each month) were not impartial with all of the artworks and artists presenting their works. I thought that they were prejudiced against outsiders or new to their gallery artists because it seemed that the other artists/photographers in the exhibition that I entered were all students from the director's photography/art class. This is only my opinion based upon what I had seen and overheard while I was attending the Final Friday Exhibition.

So, please beware before you submit any artwork or pay money to this Center Gallery at the MCP and also beware if you deal with the director.

It is sad that it came down to writing this review but I hope that no one else has to go through an experience like this. If you do decide to enter then GET the TERMS in WRITING beforehand.

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