Art Sale Procedures
Click here to view the Art Sale Procedures guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: The Gala on Friday night – how fancy is it, and what should I wear?
A: We always put on a good evening, and this year will be no exception. We have complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, and a wonderfully festive feel. Feel free to get as dressed up as you would like (it’s not black tie, and you don’t need to wear gowns, but that outfit in your closet that you keep for special occassions – this might be the time to dust it off)
Q: Can we bring people to the Gala Opening?
A: Absolutely – the more the merrier – especially if they come prepared to purchase works of art. We are expecting over 600 people that evening, and a large portion of our sales comes on this evening…
Q: Is there a charge for people to see the art sale?
A: There is no charge for visitors to view the works for sale in the Grand Lobby. If they do wish to view the works in the gallery spaces, they will need to pay admission. The gallery itself is not open during the Friday night gala, but is throughout the weekend.
Q: What does it cost to park?
A: Parking is $5 for visitors (free for members). Artists park for free over the weekend – your name will be on a list with Security/Parking.
Q: Is it true that there will be a meal provided for the artists and volunteers on Friday before the sale?
A: Yes. We will supply a light dinner in the gallery restaurant on Friday Oct. 21 between 4:30 and 5:30 pm. This is last year’s menu – this year’s should be similar.
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BUFFET DINNER (Served from 4:30pm – 5:30pm)
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Assorted bread & rolls with butter
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Market fresh greens with a variety of dressings on the side
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Chicken Piccata served with red pepper coulis & Farfalle pasta
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Pitchers of water with lemon slices
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Coffee & tea
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Q: Can my spouse/mature child/friend help over the weekend?
A: Absolutely. Let us know who you’re thinking of bringing so we can print up a nametag. If their desire to help extends past just helping you (their favourite artist), send an email to artsale2011@mcmichaelvolunteers.com and our volunteer coordinator will get back to you with opportunities.
Q: What do you mean by "size" on the works form submission – image size or framed size?
A: Give us the image size, as it will be printed on the work label. Purchasers can mentally add in the framed dimension.
Q: How should I price my works? What kind of prices have sold in the past?
A: The majority of the pieces sold are under $1,000, but we have sold a number at higher levels. Click Here to view the breakdown of sales by price range for the last five years.
Q: Is is true we have to stand all weekend?
A: No, we are just severely limited with space constraints, so we have to be creative. You may bring a small stool (check out Canadian Tire or Dominion for their $10 wooden stools), but anything larger will impinge on the display space of others, and act as an obstacle for the browsing public. If you view the images of the display space slideshow, you’ll see some examples of what artists brought last year.
Q: Is is true we are not allowed to bring portfolios to show our other works?
A: Again, we are just severely limited with space constraints, so we have to be creative. You may bring a SMALL portfolio that you can show to prospective purchasers to help show the depth and breadth of your work, especially if it helps make a sale. (Small, as there’s no real place to hide it at your panel, and it can look like a dog’s breakfast if we have portfolios, purses, bags, and coats laid at the base of your panel.) If a patron was interested in purchasing one of the works from your portfolio not on display in the sale, we would ask that you still honour the 65%/35% split.
Q: Kleinburg, eh. So just where exactly is that again?
A: The village of Kleinburg is located in the City of Vaughan, about 30 minutes north of Toronto. Click the link below to have Google Maps help you find us.
Q: Any suggestions on where to stay for the weekend?
A: Click this link to view the accommodations page from the McMichael web site.
Q: Excel – what’s that? I don’t have that on my computer, so how can I submit my works list to meet the October 1 deadline?
A: Just about ANY program will work – even a regular email message. Excel simply makes it easy to keep things in columns. If you use a word processing program – just insert one tab (and only one tab) between columns. We’ll be able to copy it and paste it into our cumulative list. If you have any questions, let us know (sooner, rather than later).
Q: Is it true that there will be sales during the day on Friday?
A: Yes. We started this a couple of years ago, and it has proved successful for us. It allows McMichael staff working during the day (who wouldn’t normally stay for the evening) to get a crack at your works, as well as McMichael visitors. Last year, we sold almost $7,000 during the day. Artists are not expected to be at the gallery during the day on Friday. Please check your panel upon arrival on Friday evening in case you have to replace any works sold during the day.
Q: I see where you state that artwork must be "professionally framed and wired for hanging. What about "gallery stretched canvas"?
A: Works on gallery stretched canvas do not need to be framed, as long as they are properly finished on the sides. The essense of this requirement is that our patrons must be able to bring home their artwork and immediately hang it on the wall. View this link for framing samples.
Q: Do artists have to provide their own lighting?
A: Each panel (6′ wide x 7′ tall) already has two lights – you will not need to bring your own. View this image.
Q: What hanging system will we use?
A: We use adjustable hooks on aircraft hanger wire. To begin with, each panel will have four wires (and as many hooks as you will need. Extra wires are available if necessary. See this image for the hooks.
Delivery Schedule
Artists will deliver their works to the gallery on Thursday October 20 between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. You will be given a 15 minute time slot to park your vehicle at the gallery end of the parking lot, unload your works (with the assistance of a volunteer and supplied dollies), and proceed to Registration. The security personnel at the parking gate will have your name and show you where to park (the area will be clearly marked). To guarantee a smooth registration process for all the artists it is very important that you adhere to your appointed time.
If you have not already done so, please choose your preferred delivery block and send an email to artsale2011@mcmichaelvolunteers.com:
| Early Block: | 10 am to Noon |
| Middle Block: | Noon to 2 pm |
| Afternoon Block: | 2 pm to 4 pm |
Once all requests have been received and processed, you will receive an email informing you of your exact delivery time. The delivery schedule will also be posted on the Artists’ Resource webpage once completed.
Key Dates
| Date | Time | Description |
| August 1 | $100 Acceptance/Booth fee due | |
| August 14 | Delivery timeslot preference (email to: artsale2011@mcmichaelvolunteers.com) |
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| October 1 | Submit your list of works that you will have available for sale (email to: artsale2011@mcmichaelvolunteers.com) |
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| October 20 | 10 am to 4 pm | Artwork Delivery |
| October 20 | 6 pm to 10 pm | Potential private fundraising event pre-sale (to be confirmed) – attendance not required. |
| October 21 | 10 am to 4 pm | Friday day sales – attendance not required |
| October 21 | 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm | Artist & Volunteer Dinner |
| October 21 | 6 pm to 10 pm | Gala opening |
| October 22 | 10 am to 4 pm | Art sale |
| October 23 | 10 am to 5 pm | Art Sale |
Submitting your list of works
Please use the attached Excel spreadsheet (if possible) to submit an electronic version of the information for works you intend to bring to the sale. This information includes the Title, Media, Price, Horizontal dimension, Vertical dimension, (and Height, for sculptors only). This information is used for both our cash register system and to produce works labels, so please include information on ALL the works you might bring to the sale (it’s much easier to do this in advance of the sale, rather than during the weekend), not just the works you intend to initially hang.
If possible, avoid the title “Untitled”. There is a minimum price of $100 for works.
If you don’t have Microsoft Excel on your computer, don’t worry. Just about ANY program will work – even a regular email message. Excel simply makes it easy to keep things in columns. If you use a word processing program – just insert one tab (and only one tab) between the columns of information. We’ll be able to copy it and paste it into our cumulative list.
Pricing your works
Although the majority of works sold at our sale are priced at less than $1,000, we have sold many at higher prices. The minimum price for works is $100. We suggest you bring works priced at a variety of price points.
Click here to see an analysis of sales by price range for the last five Autumn Art Sales.