Online Feature

Galleries gone virtual

by Joan Fenicle

In a business where a visual impression is everything, it is not surprising that the variety and abundance of online art galleries has grown.

Online galleries come in a variety of forms such as: simple registries – an intermediary between buyers and artists who may be contacted directly; counterparts to “real world” physical galleries and art dealers; and sophisticated galleries that educate, display artists’ work, handle transactions and perhaps even include studio visits and other means of introducing artists to their audiences.

Regardless of their form, online galleries provide a means for both casual and serious audiences to view art work and become more familiar with the artists, helping develop both buyer-seller and buyer-artist relationships. I had the opportunity recently to visit a First Nations art center somewhere in Mongolia, because of a link sent to me by a friend. Not a location I am likely to visit personally anytime soon, this was an opportunity I relished. It was a learning experience as well as a visually pleasing one.

Here are three online galleries worth a visit:

1. www.limitedphotoeditions.com – A polished, easy-to-navigate photography site that represents mostly artists with Santa Fe connections. Features include photographer galleries and a photographer of the month. You can buy directly through the site with purchases handled through eBay.

2. www.nmartists.com – A user-friendly site hosting many individual New Mexico artists, artist groups and small galleries who may not have their own Web presence. Some participants use this site to drive traffic to their own Web sites through links and it also features a calendar of art events.

3.www.abqphotographersgallery.com – An example of an online gallery with a physical counterpart (Albuquerque Photographers Gallery in Old Town). Albuquerque Photographers Gallery was founded in 2003 as Albuquerque's first cooperative venture dedicated to promoting and exhibiting only contemporary fine art photography. Membership in the co-op is juried and limited to ten photographers.

Here are a few tips as you venture on line in search of art:
· DON’T expect bargains. It is considered unethical for artists to undercut their gallery prices online.
· DO expect to find emerging artists and experimental art that is difficult to locate in commercial galleries.