March Issue 2001
Southern Art Exchange a Web-based/Home-based Business Sells Art by Consignment Over the Internet at www.SouthernArtExchange.com
Southern Art Exchange is a Web-based business dedicated to promoting and selling artists' work over the Internet. Southern Art Exchange based in Aiken, SC, began live operation in Oct. of 2000, and is just now getting to the point of having a solid base of artwork including paintings, hand painted ceramics and porcelain, hand crafted jewelry, raku, hand painted and hand crafted note cards, iron art, artistic furniture, photography and more.
Artists currently selling their work through
Southern Art Exchange include, Steve Bouye-North Augusta, SC;
Anne Downey-Martinez, GA; Susan Duke-Myrtle Beach, SC; Betty Fraser-Aiken,
SC; Joseph Guisti-Beech Island, SC; Ashley Lareau-Sumter, SC;
Laura Lynch-Pine Hurst, NC; The Mustard Seed-Sumter, SC; Commie
Peebles-Aiken, SC; Jerry Pruitt-North Augusta, SC; Angie Sawyer-Eutawville,
SC; Ashley Sellner-Charlotte, NC; Susan Senn-Davis-Augusta, GA;
Catherine Strange-Birmingham, AL; Jerry E. Sutton-Williston, SC;
David Swanagin-Augusta, GA; and Jim Zoccola-Aiken, SC
Many of these artists do not make their living off their work
and therefore do not have the time, resources or desire to pursue
selling their work over the Internet. Southern Art Exchange's
goal is to provide that opportunity for talented artists. Still
others are doing their artwork full time, and they find Southern
Art Exchange to be another convenient outlet for selling their
work.
The artists on Southern Art Exchange represent a wide range of experience. Some have been working on their art for a lifetime, others are rounding the 10-15 year range, and still others have, in the last two years, become more serious about their work. Because the artist and his/her background are extremely important to art buyers and appreciators, Southern Art Exchange features the artist as much as the artwork. Each artist has the opportunity to have his/her own "Home Gallery" with his/her picture and a brief bio, as well as resume, depending on the artist's desires.
All artwork is sold by consignment with a 20% commission fee. In an effort to promote artists and their work while recognizing the fact that most artists, especially those just starting out, do not have the financial resources to commit to anything without a sure return. Southern Art Exchange does not charge a setup fee or require any front-end investment from the artist. However, not all arts and crafts are appropriate for SAE. It is not a free-for-all site on which any artist or craftsman can post their work. Each person's work submitted to SAE is given careful consideration with respect to the works ability to sell.
Molly Matthews, owner and founder of Southern Art Exchange, is a 1997 graduate of the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina Honors College. "Although I have had no formal training in art or business, my love for the arts and desire to promote them has lead me to create Southern Art Exchange. I am convinced it will provide a lucrative outlet for artists while giving me an opportunity to enjoy the artwork and the challenge of business."
At this point, getting the word out is Southern Art Exchange's biggest hurdle to jump. Although little overhead is required to begin a business over the Internet, the price of advertising and marketing is as financially burdensome as in any business. Southern Art Exchange is not a nonprofit organization, however, because its goal is to help facilitate the promotion of artists and their work while requiring minimal commitment from the artist, Southern Art Exchange is researching and hopes to acquire financial resources through various grants and private organizations supporting the arts.
For more information please email Molly S. Matthews at (MollyMatthews@aol.com) or call at 803/641-0008, 803/646-2687 or on the web at (http://www.SouthernArtExchange.com).
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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Carolina Arts
is published monthly by Shoestring
Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc.
Copyright© 2001 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston
Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts
from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts
Online, Copyright© 2001 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved
by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use
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