Artist Representation

Since 2017 Canal Street Art Gallery’s mission has been to provide an open space where all creative voices may be heard. This mission has directed the gallery’s business model, which continues to evolve and diversify its functions. These operations include those of a commercial gallery, with represented artists and revolving solo shows. There are aspects of a museum, such as in curating touring exhibitions. The gallery bears similarities to a co-operative, artist-run gallery, by offering ongoing opportunities for all artists to exhibit in addition to represented artists. Last year the gallery expanded to embrace a facet of an artist studio building, adding  working spaces for artists. To provide its rural downtown of Bellows falls, Vermont with a small piece of a community art center, Canal Street Art Gallery fundraised for and opened a free-to-use art studio complete with art supplies. The gallery is also a social gathering place, every month with Free Self Expression on Bellows Falls 3rd Fridays.

Much like its business model, Canal Street Art Gallery’s version of artist representation is made “by artists, for artists”. A visual artist’s traditional goal of being hand picked for the exclusive privilege of representation is replaced with the system of hiring a promotional agent, much like  a performing artist might do. Canal Street Art Gallery’s artist representation is a yearly promotional agreement with a signing fee which breaks down to an affordable monthly charge. The gallery also charges what it considers to be a very low commission on sales along with affordable exhibition fees.

Represented artists at Canal Street Art gallery each have the opportunity for a solo show, included once per year. Additional solo shows may be scheduled at half off exhibition fees. The Touring Exhibitions Program which exhibited most recently at Atlantic Gallery in New York City, is available to represented artists only. Additional promotion and sales come from the artist’s page on the gallery’s website, as well as a personal viewing room presenting headshots, quotes from the artist, along with pictures and videos of their artwork. 

Canal Street Art Gallery recognizes the enormous amount of talented artists in this region, and that this has both made the gallery possible, and made it able to “take the show on the road” through the gallery’s Touring Exhibitions Program. This program seeks to enhance the creative capacities of communities with interactive and educational art exhibits by creating exhibitions with curatorial proposals from the gallery’s roster of represented artists. These proposals are submitted to other galleries, art centers and museums. 

Now in its fourth year, the Touring Exhibitions Program is focusing on venues in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York such as the New Bedford Museum, the Falmouth Art Center and Pearl Street Gallery. Exhibition concepts for this year are “Made It”, “View”, “Working”, and “Like it or Not?”. 

Exhibition Requirements For All Shows

• Original artworks, created by the artist, must be submitted.
• All artwork must be for sale.
• Two-dimensional work must be wired to hang, framed, or otherwise ready to install.
• Three-dimensional work must be delivered with any necessary stands or bases.
• Jewelry must be delivered with displays, individually packed.
• Deliver all work to the gallery packed and wrapped for transport, work will remain packed as delivered until installation.
• Packing material and boxes will be stored at the Gallery.
• Include any special handling or installation instructions.

Promotion Package Included with Exhibition

• 3rd Friday Gallery Nights from 5-8PM  
• Artwork Listed on Current Exhibition Page
• Press Release
• Scheduled Email and Social Media Campaigns

Canal Street Art Gallery

23 Canal Street, Bellows Falls, Vermont