It is possible to operate a successful artist's co-op gallery, even in an area where the art-buying public is not particularly enthusiastic or sophisticated, and to insure that the exhibiting artists always receive the money from sales: the Society of Arts & Crafts (SAC's) in Montgomery, AL, has been doing so for over 20 years.

When the Society decided to establish its gallery in 1979, they were particularly concerned with making certain that their artists would get paid for their sales and that operating expenses would be acquired in some other way.

A separate account was established for sales. A hundred dollars was initially deposited in this account from Society funds so it would never zero out. All sales monies, including sales tax collected from customers, are deposited into this account. Once a month, SAC's treasurer pays all the exhibitors who have sales within the previous 30 days, as well as state and local taxes. No other expenses are ever taken out of this account. Although the gallery takes no commission from exhibitors' sales, if a customer uses a credit card, the exhibitor(s) concerned must be assessed the bank service charge. Operating expenses for the gallery are paid out of the Society's funds obtained through membership dues, exhibitor fees (rent), the annual Christmas Show, two annual juried shows, and student fees from SAC's sponsored art classes.

Membership Dues: Anyone interested in the Arts can become a member of the Society, artist or no. SAC's is definitely patron friendly. Annual dues are $25 a year. Members receive a monthly newsletter advising them of Society events, classes, gallery shows, etc.

Exhibitor's Fees: In addition to the annual membership dues, exhibiting membership pay $65 a month to rent space in the gallery. This is the best deal in town since the gallery takes no commission from the sales. Because SAC's has limited wall space and display areas, there is a limit to the number of items an artist can have in the gallery at a given time, but this insures that everyone will always be fairly represented. No one has to fear that their work will be relegated to a back room, attic or basement never to be seen again.

Artist of the Month: Each new exhibitor is asked to commit to at least six months after which he or she is eligible to become a featured artist. Every month, SAC's features one artist and one craftsman in the showroom. The artist is paired with a craftsman so the artist can have the wall space and the craftsman can set up on pedestals and tables in the center of the room. This makes for a lovely show. The gallery collects a small fee from each featured artist to cover the cost of refreshments for the reception held the first weekend of the month. The public is invited to attend through invitations sent out by the artists, the newsletter, and local newspaper coverage.

Christmas Show: The first weekend in December SAC's rents booth spaces to 157 artists and craftspeople throughout the South at $125 per booth for the two-day event. The show has become so popular with customers and exhibitors alike that the show is able to attract many of the best exhibitors in the region. We do stipulate that they must be able to prove that they make all the items they have for sale themselves. No items purchased for resale are allowed. The show is well advertised and admission is free to the public.

Juried Shows: SAC's hosts two annual juried show. The "Paint the Waterfront Show" is held each autumn at the Southtrust Bank at Union Station on the Alabama River. This show is open to all area artists. In January, the gallery hosts a competition for "members of the Society" held at the gallery. Most of the money collected from the entry fees is used for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards plus the juror's stipend. Anything left over goes toward operating expenses.

Classes: Two dedicated fine artists, Donnave Lindsey (who is also the gallery's managing director) and Clark Walker, offer art instruction classes through the gallery and donate a percentage of the student fees to SAC's to help operate the gallery.

SAC's Gallery is staffed by our charming volunteers who receive a tiny $10.00 a day stipend. In 1995, SAC's Gallery was recognized by the Montgomery Business Committee for the Arts with the "Business in the Arts" award for its contribution to the community and the arts.