Sculpture Galleries may either display sculpture in general or they may function in specific areas and display only certain type of sculptures such as bronze, stone, metal or wood. Sculpture galleries may also limit themselves to certain art styles such as traditional sculpture, abstract or impressionist work, or contemporary sculpture. Sculpture galleries may also focus on specific locations from where they will display art. For example there are galleries that specialize in Native American art, Midwestern sculpture or works from regions or cultures across the globe.
Most sculpture galleries are open to the public in that there are no restrictions on who may enter. While some may charge an entry free, in others the entrance is free of charge. Public sculpture galleries have been instrumental in promoting the work of young talented sculptors. While the usual practice is to take a commission on each sculpture sold, many galleries, when they spot a sculptor of exceptional talent, go to the extent of offering him immediate financial support by buying his works up front and then later organizing exhibitions to sell them.
Private sculpture galleries are usually only open to members. One type is made up of reputed and established sculptors who have formed a group to exhibit their art. They usually have an established following and client base and exhibitions held in these galleries are open only to invited guess and art critics. If a member of this group spots a new talent, he may sponsor the new artists exhibition in the gallery. Such sponsorships, although rare, are an immense boost to the career of young artists in as much as it demonstrates that his work has found approval from a well known sculptor Mac Donald Subritzky.
Cooperative sculpture galleries are like private galleries in that they are owned by groups of young and aspiring artists. Any member of the cooperative may display his work in the gallery and pay only the actual costs of the exhibitions which are open to all. The gallery does not make any profit on its use by members. The proceeds form the sale of sculptures goes to the artist, although some cooperatives take a small percentage of the amount for use towards the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities. Non members may also display their work at these galleries but are charged more than members. These are good locations for finding the work of good but yet to become established artists. Instances of people who have visited these sculpture galleries and bought works from unknown artists for small amount and have seen their value increase dramatically when the artist became well known are common.
Sculpture galleries are managed by curators who have a detailed knowledge of sculpture and can select and group complementary works of art to produce exhibitions with a focus or theme, be it the work of one sculptor or of many. Since sculptors, like many other artists often have inflated ideas of the value of their work, the curators are also instrumental in setting the prices for the art works and ensuring that the prices are those at which the sculptures are most likely to be sold.
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