I am getting close to making my Gallery a reality. I will be taking advantage of an early retirement option at the University of Iowa Hospital, where I have worked for the last twelve and a half years, and will be putting in my last day on September 30th.

Next week I am meeting with a realtor to secure a site. Once I sign the lease and have my federal tax number and Iowa sales tax permit, I can begin designing the interior to my motif. My plan is to be open by November 1st. As I near that date, I will put out a "Call for Artists", with the reserved stipulation that you must be living and working as an artist in Iowa.

Well, here it is, July 1st and I am sorry to say no one took me up on my photo challenge. I guess that I'll keep the $25 for myself.

However, I want to let everyone know that I will be opening my own brick and mortar art gallery by early fall. I will be located in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa and will be selling both my own photography and art by other people. My commission rate will be 35%, which is about 5% lower than the norm for gallery commissions.

If you are an artist working in photography, oils, acrylics, watercolors, scupture, ceramics, glassware, custom jewelry, textiles or other genres, and are looking for a gallery to sell your work through, consider working with me.

I have designed an excellent contract that protects both myself and the artist. Though I am using my current website for getting the news out, I will create a new site specific to the gallery. I will offer on-line sales as well as gallery space.

Beginning in 2010, I will announce a "Call for Entries" art/photography contest with cash awards for different categories (entry fees will be low).

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in selling your work through my gallery:

E-mail: Harker@Harkerphotography.com

Thanks!

Michael