Hendo-One is an idea that came to me after an interaction with a nearby gallery. Like many artists, I have been trying to get into a number of local galleries with limited success. Then a few weeks ago, I got this email from a local gallery asking me to submit my work... fine. I put all the prerequisites together, submitted them and about a day later, I get this email from the gallery owner, bent out of shape, about how I got the invite and not to send anything again. Well - it was from one of your associates - talk to them. It was one of those surreal experiences. The gallery owner couldn't care less about my work. All she was interested in was tracking down who compromised her email and making sure I did not email her directly again..
I was initially ticked off because she didn't even have the courtesy to say not interested. Another self-absorbed gallery owner to avoid. But it did get me to thinking a bit. As some of you know, I occasionally Docent at the Henderson County Art League Gallery and saw in their visitor log that a good day is a dozen visitors. So, why am I bashing my brains out for that kind of brick and mortar traffic and a hefty commission to the gallery if I do sell something? With no advertising at all, I am beating that visitor count here at D'Day.
So the thinking cap went on, and at dinner as several of my neighbors were discussing the days of covid and how we got through that, it came to me. Why not just produce a virtual gallery and feature other artists as well as myself who want to get their work viewed by others.
So this is the plan. As you can see from the first Hendo-One featured artist (me), a virtual Docent walks you through the exhibit. But there is more to it than that. Presently I am getting commitments from other artists, and once a new exhibit is built, we'll have a live kick-off event on Zoom where visitors can meet and interact by the artist. This is then followed with the archived tour which you see now in the 'Stoneworks' exhibit.
The good news about this is that my cost to run these events is a $150/yr Zoom account and my time to drop new art into established virtual placeholders, then do a voice-over. So, with a little sponsorship, I will do well, and be able to give featured artists 100% of the proceeds of any sales that occur through Hendo-One.
Right now, I am testing posting announcements for Hendo-One on a variety of social media sites, and that is generating about 100 visits a day to the gallery. So, hopefully, you are going to see ads for Hendo-One, if not on my Facebook and Instagram pages, on other art and gallery groups that you have joined.
Also, if you have not already done so, please subscribe to Hendo-One and D'Day Photo Art by clicking the button below and providing your email. That way, you'll be automatically notified when a new exhibit, both live and archived is about to occur.