Holly!

...this is a great way to turn an open house into a Gallery Open,with wine and cheese and ...oh, maybe qualified buyers-take it to the MAX!

 http://obeoman.blogspot.com

Holly,I have thought about that in the past and haven't taken advantage of such a great resource thanks for the suggestion! I have a waterfront condo I will be staging soon that would be absolutely perfect opportunity for such an idea! 

Melissa, I think we were commenting on eachothers blogs at the same time ;)  Thanks for your input, if you try it let me know how it goes.

That's not a bad idea Steven!  I'd go to it! 

I need to find a really good mural person, have two request today for them...I'm thinking a local!

My brother is an artist/architecture in Alexandria, VA and they do this there. The art is displayed the home for sale is displayed and everyone has a great time.

I use my daughter's artwork but not in a for sale manner. 

I  have a property that currently has art from a local gallery displayed.  Some things to consider... make sure the gallery is responsible for placing the art in the property and that they are insured, etc. You don't want any liability should anything happen to it.  Also, they will want advertising for it.  I suggest you have the info on a handout sheet with other information about the home.  I wouldn't let them hang a small sign next to the piece. 

I've been contacted by local artist's looking to 'sell' their work but they are looking for hundredes of dollars per piece so I did ask about the possibility of either 'renting' them or displaying them with their info/pricing...it didn't pan out either way. 

I think it's a great idea, though.  I draw and paint and have contemplated doing some of my own pieces of staging BUT have yet to sit down and do it.  It's on my 'one of these days' lists.

Hi Holly,

I've done this several times at my Builder's Models, and am meeting w/a Property management company next week to "Reinvent" their client's office building lobbies, and the help w/facilitation with on-loan art.

It creates a stir, benefits the community, and puts an upscale swing on the project. You can get Arts Organizations involved to help you select the Art and the Artists. 

Beyond the pros, and the draw backs you mentioned - you have to create a formal contract with the artist and the homeowner - Legally. This includes the worth of the piece(s.) how long it will be exhibited, and liability issues.  Depending on the Artist and the worth of the piece, you may need to insure that the property has an alarm system, and the art is added to the floater or the project is bonded.

One more thing to think about -  What are you selling Art or a House? 

The legality can become very touchy...though I have used art from artists who are friends and and doing so was not an issue.  The idea is great in theory.....however, I think you have to be judicious when deciding on when and which project to use 'art on loan/for sale'.  Regards-Kathleen

Cindy - last time I went to a builder's show here I met two mural artists... who woulda thought!  If you have one coming up in the spring you should go, it's a great networking opportunity.

Kathleen - Sounds like you have a very talented family!  I looked at your profile... do you work with two daughters?  

Judy - Great advice... I have thought about the liability issues, but I hadn't thought about having them hang the art.  I love the idea of using a handout instead of posting info next to the artwork.

Abby - Sounds like they weren't looking for the right kind of partnership.  My mom and I have also considered painting some of our own artwork... also on our "one of these days" list!

Julea - Thanks for the insight.  You're absolutely right about the legal/liability issues.  We would definitely take all of the precautions necessary to protect the art and ourselves.

Kathleen - I agree with you... this would not be right for every project, I think builder's models would be the best fit in most cases.

Holly, I have approached this from several angles. 

1st-contacted a gallery and they were not interested, said I needed to contact the artists personally.  One very high priced artist was there and he said absolutely NOT.  I wanted to display his work on a rotating basis in a local office that I designed but he was not interested...it was worth asking.

2nd-other artists that I've contacted had two issues.  Insurance, although several said that their work is not insured in some of the galleries where their work is on display.  Two others actually came to me wanting to display their work and when I told them my insurance would not cover their work, they declined. 

My goal was to help out some of our "starving" local artists but it doesn't seem like it's going to work.  I would pursue it in your area but with caution due to the issues mentioned in the comments here. 

Good luck I hope it works for you.

Holly,

We had the same idea, to feature a local artist. We will probably only display original artwork in unoccupied homes, however, and we may need to place the artwork in the home only during open houses, due to insurance considerations. We approached a local artist with the idea, and she is all for it! Now we just have to find the right home.

Holly,

It's a great idea but in Seattle most of the artist who produce work that's appropriate for staging want you to buy their rent their pieces. Since Virginia is a friendlier place (this is just my opinion, Seattle people are lovely just not as outgoing or as accommodative) it may work very well.  You just need to be prepared to say no thanks to artwork that isn't going to work.

I tried this once with a local artist, but he didn't get feedback on his work, so wasn't interested for long.  I like the idea of having the information on a sheet rather than on the art.  It isn't distracting that way, but still gets out the word for the artist.  We did this once with oriental carpets that were on loan.  The biggest downside I see is the insurance issue, as others have mentioned.

Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging

Tracey - that's a good idea, to limit the display to open houses.  Let me know how it turns out when you find the right project.

Susan - You're right about people being friendly here, I don't know about Seattle, as I've never been!  It would be hard for me to say "no thanks" to an artist willing to participate... but you're right, we would have to find a diplomatic way of saying it if the art isn't right for staging.

Kim - Too bad your project didn't pan out for the artist, but I love the oriental carpet idea!  Quality oriental rugs would be very expensive inventory items.  Thanks for your insight!