By Georgia Coxe
The Lower Cape is alive with art galleries. Provincetown, Truro and Wellfleet have long been a mecca for artists, and for the galleries that offer their work to the public.
If you’re a beginner, some galleries may seem unapproachable as you stand on a Provincetown sidewalk and consider having a look inside. Relax. You may be assured that you will be welcomed, and so will your questions.
Have a look at the art in the window of a Truro gallery. Does it appeal to you? Want to see more? Step inside. Or if you’re scouting Wellfleet from your car, pull into a parking area behind a gallery or along the street. Peering into the window will give you a preview of what’s hanging on the walls inside, or on sculpture stands.
The art in the window might be traditional -- sailboats in Wellfleet Harbor, an old shack among the sand dunes of Provincetown. There might also be modern, trendy sculptures, in bronze, wood or more unusual materials. Your eye could be caught by non-objective paintings, or bright impressionist designs. Some galleries specialize in folk art, hand-painted decorative items, or antiques.
All the gallery operators are waiting for you to come in for a look. The attendant, often at a desk in a corner, is there to help you. She or he is also there to let you study the art on your own, if that’s your choice. But do let the attendant know you recognize that he/she is there. A pleasant “Hello -- may I look around?” will do. The response you get very likely will be, “Of course -- let me know if I can help you.”
You may quickly realize that the art in a particular gallery is not your style. A simple “Thank you” will let the attendant know you are leaving. You need not give an explanation for your exit.
The window of the next gallery may offer precisely what you would love to own. This time you’ll find it easier to go in, and to greet the attendant. Move through the gallery and notice whether the pieces you especially like are done by the same artist. If they are, you can find out more about the artist by asking for a biography. Most galleries will give you one to take home.
The point in checking out an artist’s bio is to find out whether he/she is well known in the art world, has won prizes or been awarded grants, attended a prestigious art school, and so on. All this has a bearing on the long-term value of the art you are seeing. You might even ask if a press release on the artist is available.
It is a good idea, before you become too smitten with one particular piece of art, to check out its price. Often you’ll find a price list on one of the walls. If you don’t see one, ask the attendant. Price lists may not, however, be taken home.
If the piece you like has a red sticker beside it, either it has been sold, or it’s not available for some reason. Half a red sticker means a duplicate is still available, especially in the case of prints, considered “multiples.”
Many paintings are duplicated today as “giclee prints,” which are of excellent quality but often cost several hundred dollars less than the original.
How is a giclee made? First, a photograph is taken of the original with special film and camera. This image is transferred to a computer screen. The colors on the screen are matched exactly to the colors of the original painting. Any distracting glare or other errors are removed. The image is then printed on heavy paper with archival inks, usually in a size as large as the original, although smaller prints are sometimes made. Well-framed, these prints usually have the look and richness of color of an original painting. All they lack is the three-dimensional feel of brush strokes on canvas.
If you like the work of a particular artist, but not the subject matter, and you find the prices are in your ballpark, the attendant should be able to show you some of the artist’s other work, which may be brought out from the gallery’s storage area. A painter of Provincetown winter scenes may also have done nudes or beach views. A Truro artist may surprise you with paintings of Italy and France.
Being new to gallery-gazing, you might ask, “How can I choose an artist whose work will increase in value or prestige over the years?” If you desire work by a “name” artist, you can seek a gallery that specializes in paintings by artists already celebrated, or at least well known locally. These could be pricey.
The question of whether a little-known artist’s work will retain value and improve with time is a tough one. Mostly, the answer is that it’s hard to predict who will develop into an Edward Hopper or a Charles Hawthorne. Even the owners of the galleries have a hard time deciding which artist’s work is going to hold value and become desirable to collectors. The best rule has always been: Pick a piece of art you want to live with for a long time, and can afford to purchase.
But suppose you need time to decide? Some galleries will let you put a “hold” on an object you are not yet sure about buying. Maybe your heart’s set on a drawing of the Wellfleet beach where you spent happy hours in the sun -- but do you really want it over your sofa? Or would you wish you had chosen a Provincetown street scene? That dilemma may mean you should put some money down on the one you crave at the moment, and request the gallery to hold it a certain number of days. Be sure to be businesslike and let the gallery know, within the time arranged, whether you will be buying the art or not.
If you’re sure what you want, but aren’t prepared to make the purchase with cash, check or credit card, ask if you can buy it on the installment plan. That’s usually possible.
And if you don’t relish the idea of carrying your prized purchase to your car, or buying an extra seat for it on your flight home, ask the gallery to pack and ship it for you.
Now that you’re more comfortable about gallery-gazing, you should check the newspapers or bulletin boards for notices about an “opening” – a party to introduce a new art show. “Openings” generally are open to the public, and are good fun. While they may be crowded, and not the best times to view art, there is often the opportunity to talk with the artists whose work is being displayed. The sun-browned giant who lives in a dune shack and paints miniatures; the pale little lady who does acrylics of gigantic faces; the grizzly fellow who downloads amazingly colored designs on his computer; the watercolorist well known for her ocean waves -- all will be there, and yearning to hear your reaction to their work. Enjoy the refreshments, chat with the people at the party, and return the next day to take a closer look at the work you like.
Each art gallery on a Provincetown street, or a Wellfleet or Truro byway, has its own special charm. Many may seem to be “country cousins” to the big-city galleries, but you can visit them in comfort. You may stroll in dressed for the beach, to see paintings of the beach. Although much of the art is local, you surely will find the work of sophisticated artists. Many local artists can be seen in the big-city galleries as well; others you will find only here.
In any event, if you crave a lifetime memento of your time on the Outer Cape, some time invested in gallery-gazing will assure you that you’ve come to the right place.