Read an excerpt of the article "These Maine art galleries get creative to survive uncertain times" below
Elizabeth Moss, the owner of Elizabeth Moss Galleries in Portland and Falmouth, said that selling online has helped keep her gallery thrive, even under economic pressures and as her clientele shifts.
“I think there’s less foot traffic in general. And it’s probably because there’s a transition of the buyer base from an older generation to a younger generation,” said Moss. “And the younger generation are less apt to walk through the door unless there’s some special event or something. But they’re more apt to be fine buying something online sight in person unseen.”
Maddy Vertenten, who owns Sidle House, a gallery in Freeport, said that she’s worked on expanding her online presence recently.
“My Instagram has had a solid following since I started and I’m always looking to grow that,” said Vertenten, who also has a YouTube and Substack.
Some gallery owners in the Portland area, like Danos and Moss, operate under a roster model in which they are committed to featuring particular artists and rotating their artwork in and out. This affords a measure of predictability.
Elizabeth Moss at her Falmouth gallery. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer)