I love participating in art festivals and working DIRECTLY with my customers and have not actively sought gallery representation. So when Nancy Weisel approached me last October at the Sedona Arts Festival about carrying my work at Raku Gallery in Jerome, AZ, I was a little bit hesitant. After speaking with several artists and customers, who gave the highest KUDOS to Raku, I decided to give it a TRY. I’m happy to report, it’s been a GREAT experience. I’ve been IMPRESSED with Raku on so many levels that I wanted learn a little bit more about their PERSPECTIVE on running a successful gallery. Then, I wanted to SHARE what I learned with ArtemisD readers as part of my PROFILE series called, ”Artists Interview Artists [And Other Interesting People].” Here is the result. I know you’ll enjoy Nancy and Tracy’s fresh — and yet very sage — perspective. HAPPY READING!
Raku Gallery is celebrating its 20th year in business, isn’t it? What made you decide to open the gallery? With 20 years under your belt(s), to what do you most attribute your success?
LANDLORD
LUCK
Diana, Tracy has had a business in Jerome since 1975. He came here as a potter. He purchased the property where Raku is today in 1981. We opened the gallery in 1988. Tracy got tired of landlords and wanted to create a space that showed off art better than any place he had ever seen.
Showing up. Always looking at peoples work. Never assuming anything. Treating artists and clients like you would want to be treated. Giving the best customer service we are capable of. We go the extra mile always.
What was the biggest challenge in getting Raku established? Are the challenges in sustaining a successful art business any different today than they were then?
VISIBILITY
YES
Our location isn’t on the main street in Jerome so in the early days many or most people didn’t even know we existed. Our longevity and the growth of the town has changed that. Also, upping the ante in the town from rubber tomahawks to a much higher quality art in all mediums took time.
Yes, because there is more competition from people following suit. Also, with more repeat clients we need to keep the gallery fresh and exciting for everyone. That is the fun of it. Many people tell us that we are their favorite gallery.
How do you think the gallery scene has developed over the last 20 years, especially for fine craft? Do you think the scene will change in the near future and if so, how?
SLOWLY
MAYBE
We think that the education we give the client helps them to understand the process and cost behind art along with the creative force. Art awareness is important. We have also become more confident and seasoned with experience along with our clientele.
I think it will continue to grow in Jerome because there are more people and galleries active in the art community making Jerome more well known for art.
What kind of work do you represent at Raku? What kind of artists do you find yourself drawn to? Is there any particular philosophy behind your curatorial process?
RELATIVE
CREATIVE
TASTE
All mediums: ceramic, glass, jewelry, sculpture, fiber, paintings, metal, wood, etc.
Can’t say. It is all based upon our personal taste. It’s not the artist we are drawn to but the art. It’s not one style. We keep open minds.
We tell most artists that we do not know good art from bad art. We just know what we want to live with. Good or bad is not relevant. Quality of craftsmanship is. Our taste determines our choices and fortunately enough clients share that taste. We have to live with the pieces we choose so we want to love the work.
How do you “find” your artists; e.g. art fairs, trade shows?
LOOK
We always look for art, traveling the world and then they walk in the door!
I’ve heard great things about Raku from patrons and artists alike. What do you think makes the gallery stand apart?
SINCERITY
The personal contact, immediate responses, a conscientious effort to be consistently fair, sincere, and consistent! We also try to display the art in a way that enhances each piece. Our staff is constantly educated on techniques and processes so that they can represent the artists with integrity.
For those who haven’t visited Raku Gallery, they should because besides the great art, the space is absolutely gorgeous. There seems to be an echo of craftsmanship that begins in the space itself and then extends to the work carried. How did you go about developing the space and what were your inspirations?
MOM
After Tracy bought the piece of property and took down the ruin of a restaurant (The New York Café) it gave him the chance to see what an incredible opportunity was there with the view. In the mining days all they were concerned about was street front, not what was out back. So when he hired the architect to draw the plans he gave him ideas based upon San Fran, New Orleans, and some of the ruins in Jerome. He knew right away the back wall had to be open so the public could see the view. The wrought iron, arched windows and French doors reflect his vision. Tracy was an integral part of every aspect of the building. We constantly have comments and compliments. He can tell you how many pieces of steel went into the ceiling frame!
It seems like people have become more and more drawn to fine craft over the years; what do you think is the attraction?
KNOWLEDGE
With so much consumer merchandise inundated in our lives I think the uniqueness of fine craft stands out. Art shows, television, internet, and galleries have given people a window to what is available. The more people see and become informed the more they appreciate the arts.
Rakuis situated in Jerome, Arizona – a town with quite a bit of history and certainly a good deal of “local flavor.” What do you find especially cool about the Jerome art scene? Is there a Jerome “vibe” and if so, how does Raku reflect that?
GROWING
The funkiness of the town is cool and being able to see artists working in their studios in a compact area. We don’t think there is a specific Jerome “vibe”. Raku reflects the Zen translation of the word “Raku”: ease , enjoyment, contentment, basically a state of mind.
I understand that Tracy is a glassblower. What’s it like being on both sides of the business?
BALANCED
You have to like the public and understand that your time will be divided. If you can’t do that then you need a gallery to represent your work. First of all, if Tracy didn’t’ have something to do in the store it would drive him crazy. Tracy is not just a glass blower. He has been a potter for 35 years, and has a teaching degree in Industrial Education. He tries to combine all his knowledge. As he makes a piece he explains what he is doing and gets to tell bad jokes at the same time. This is where a good teacher is a good salesperson. He says “having a wife that is a workaholic is also great.”
Speaking of glassblowing, can you tell me more about El Mercado La Victoria? What inspired the name? What’s it about?
VICTORY
The studio is behind our gallery. We acquired the ruin because of the threat of someone else buying it and building up and then obstructing the view from Raku Gallery. It was originally a market called “El Mercado La Victoria” meaning ‘The victory market’ in Spanish. Above was a brothel called the Black Cat. We named the studio “La Victoria Studio” to keep the history of the original name. We jokingly call it “one stop shopping”. (There is a lot more to this story but not for the blog.)
What would you like people to know about Raku Gallery?
DREAMS
It is a dream come true.
We have a great staff that helps the dream continue.
You get to work with artists all the time. What do they need to know about gallery owners that they might not realize?
RESPONSIBILITY
We have a great relationship with our artists. Perhaps what they should realize is that we are the liaison between the client and the artist 7 days a week.
When you take time off, what do you do for fun?
EVERYTHING
Beach, book, booze, snorkel, dive, eat, socialize, learn, dance, ski, relax, sex?
So, you wake up every day in one of the most gorgeous part of the southwest. After that, what’s the best part of your day?
WAKING
My wife
My husband
The cat
Our daughter
