Would you like to join Local Colors and sell your work?

How It Works

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Local Colors is an artists’ cooperative in seaside Gloucester, Massachusetts. All members have equal standing and share in the operation and expenses of the cooperative. For over 35 years this venue has provided the public a spacious gallery containing fine arts and crafts. Local Colors’ foundation was built on the production and sale of original artwork and accepts only handmade artwork, no reproductions or out-sourced work unless as excepted by the co-op rules. In addition, the cooperative provides a supportive community to grow artistically and form genuine friendships.

Full members commit to working 16-20 hours per month staffing the gallery and performing committee work vital for success. However, not everyone has that kind of time available. To open up the co-op to a larger and more diverse pool of artists, we created a few temporary positions for Associate Artists. The lucky few accepted into these temporary positions will be allowed to display their work for sale at the gallery for a 6 month period without the requirement to staff the gallery or to pay co-op dues. 

 Full Membership: How it Works

  • The membership provides you with space and promotes and sells your original, handmade work.

  •  The membership pays the coop bills (phone, electric, rent, etc.).

  • You currently pay $150 each month plus a 10% commission on monthly sales, as well as any credit card fees on your sales.

  • In addition to an initial (nonrefundable) new member fee of $100, you are also required to pay a security deposit of $170 that will be returned upon resignation if all obligations are met and you are a member in “good standing” as described in the bylaws. The $100 initial fee and the $170 security deposit total $270 and are payable over 4 months. Dues for the first month of membership are due immediately.

  • You must make a minimum of a 6-month commitment and provide a 2-month resignation notice should you decide to resign.

  • You have opportunities to do special shows and hold artist’s receptions in the gallery.

  •  You work in the gallery selling and promoting members’ art as well as cleaning and tidying the gallery on your workday. The work requirement fluctuates based on membership, time of year and hours opened.

  •  You participate in gallery re-hangings as well as group and member receptions.

  •  You participate as a member on various ongoing and one-time committees such as the jury committee, the design committee, the advertising committee and special event committees.

  •  You assist with cleaning, repairing, painting and construction in the gallery when needed.

  • You agree to attend the monthly meetings that are on the third Monday of each month at 7pm. Some meetings are online and some are in person.

  • You agree to be nominated for one of the many positions (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Calendar Person, Supply Person, Committee Chair, etc.) when needed.

  • Being a cooperative member is a multi-faceted position. An ideal member must be more than an accomplished artist. Important skills are past sales experience, willingness to help out as needed, learning about other members’ work to be able to provide information to our customers and working cooperatively with other members.

  Associate Membership: How It Works

  • You pay a $50 application fee (waived for former members) and submit an application form and work to be juried. All artwork must be original and handmade. Work must be finished and ready for display. Associate Artists may not display giclee prints, greeting cards, calendars, or holiday ornaments.

  • If accepted, you meet with the Associate Artist Coordinator to review details and sign an Associate Artist Agreement. You deliver your artwork which will be hung by the Design Committee in a designated space.

  • A 40% commission will be retained by Local COlors. In addition, a 5% credit card fee will be deducted for all work sold by credit or debit card.

  • Payment for each month’s sales will be made on the 15th of the following month.

  • Associate Artists are invited to exhibit for a six-month period. These periods are encompassed by a half-year sales season: either March through August (“Summer”) or September through February (“Holiday.”) By the end of the fifth month, the Membership Committee will assess the success of the Associate Artist’s work in selling, and either inform the artist that their exhibition period is coming to an end (after six months) or offer the artist an exhibiting extension. Depending on space availability and time of year, some accepted Associate Artists may be placed on a waitlist until gallery space permits their exhibition term to begin.

How to Apply

  • If you think Local Colors might be for you, contact member Kathy Bucholska at anisol@comcast.net or call 978-314-9510 to make an appointment for your work to be juried.

  •  Please submit your completed application and a brief bio or resume (optional) along with 6-8 pieces of original work to be juried. Apply online or print the full member application here or the associate member application here.You should present your work as if it is ready to sell (framed, finished) with estimated retail prices. The work should be current and completely original. Please do not submit work in which any part was done with an instructor or mentor.

  • JURY PROCESS: Member discussion of work is confidential and we use an anonymous method of voting. As a result, feedback is not given to applicants who are not accepted. If the Jury has additional questions regarding your work or experience, you will be asked to come in for an interview.

  • NOTIFICATION: Applicants will be notified by email or phone as to the results of the member review.

 Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of Local Colors Artists’ Cooperative.