GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS

The Artery was established in 1974 by a small group of Davis artists and crafts persons who had been meeting regularly to share work and ideas. We now have approximately 65 member-owners and the present space is our third. Our "store" area features the work of all members throughout the year. Changing monthly exhibits showing the work of one or more members fill our "gallery" space.

The Artery is incorporated as a California Cooperative, owned and operated by the artists whose work is displayed. All member-owners are required to purchase shares in the Corporation. A refundable share assessment of $300.00 within the first two years of membership is payable in monthly installments or in a single payment at the start of your membership. This original investment is refunded upon termination of membership.

A nonrefundable buy-in fee of $150.00 is payable upon joining.
Monthly dues are $34.00.
Commissions paid to the store are 5% of all sales and 26% of sales exceeding $100/month.

We work 18 6-hour shifts in the store each year--one or two each month January-November, and two in December. Each member is responsible for 6 additional “cooperative hours” per year for chores such as painting, cleaning, carpentry, computer work, or other duties.

There is a monthly newsletter and a general meeting is held once a year.

Additional information is available in the By-laws and Disclosure Statement, available upon request.

Screenings:

Next screening date is: not yet scheduled.

Prospective members are asked to submit their work for screening. Screenings are generally held once a year, depending on available space and balance of work in the store.

Preparation--what you will need to do:

1. Indicate your interest by emailing us your name, address, phone #, email address, and the media you’d like to show at The Artery. You will be notified by email regarding the next screening date. Email that information to: arteryinfo@att.net. The application fee of $5.00 is payable when work is brought in.

2. Prepare a minimum of 5 pieces for screening for fine art, more if you do production work such as pottery. This minimum applies for each medium in which you are showing work.

3. Fill out the inventory form and label work to correspond. The inventory form can be found at our website listed under “about us”/“membership”.

4. Work presented should be current and representative of what you intend to display in the store; at least 5 pieces should be for sale in the store if accepted.

5. Please do not submit work done as part of a class. Work should be fully developed and professional.

6. Your work should be professionally presented in a finished, display-ready state.

7. Information about yourself is helpful; include also any additional information pertinent to viewing your work.

Day of screening:

Bring your inventory form, your $5.00 application fee, and your work to The Artery between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. Include written instructions with regard to re-packing or assembly and display if needed. Although The Artery can assume no liability for your work, every care will be taken to insure its proper handling.

About the screening:

Work to be screened is set up in the gallery for the general membership to view from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. Members who choose to do so fill out an evaluation form. That evening, a meeting is held with a representative from each media group as well as any interested members present. The work is reviewed, and a final decision is made. Criteria considered are 1) execution and craftsmanship, 2) aesthetic quality and originality, and 3) suitability for The Artery.

The screening procedure for The Artery represents our attempt to decide as fairly and wisely as possible what is appropriate for our store at a given time. We don't consider ourselves to be art critics in a broader sense and we hope that no one will place more importance on our decisions than is warranted.

After the screening:

The following day, pick up your work between 10:00 a.m. and noon. You will be notified by email, or phone with regard to the decision about your work.

We welcome your interest in The Artery and look forward to seeing your work.

The Artery Screening Committee
Connie Taxiera, chair