Art galleries, like all other businesses and organizations today, are struggling to stay afloat. As art is sometimes seen as a commodity of affluence, when times are tough even wealthier patrons seem to purchase fewer of their favorite pieces and art work by their artists of choice.

But the Proctor Gallery has somehow figured out the winning formula to not only surviving these less-than-ideal conditions, but to also successfully thriving.

For the gallery’s upcoming one-year anniversary, co-owner Carolyn Burt had the idea to combine a celebratory party with a talk geared toward artists as well as art gallery owners on how to tackle the economic downturn head-on and come out on top.

“Basically people keep asking how we’re doing, if we’re functioning, as it’s almost our one year anniversary. We’ve done well for our first year and I feel like I owe people an explanation, as lots of galleries are closing and people wonder what our secret is. Well, I think artists in particular are interested because in choosing a gallery our concept is a new one where artists get to save more from sales,” Burt said.

According to Burt, Proctor Art Gallery has more than 600 customers a month, and that number is accurate as the owners and member owners keep a tally. “Artists are selling work, and sales are good. December was a record month for sales and we are continuing to get new customers, new people discovering us.”

Proctor Gallery’s formula seems to be a winning, inventive one, as Burt affirmed she has not heard of other galleries following the same business plan. “I have not heard of any other gallery doing it this way, either co-ops or consignment. That’s not the model we’re using.

“This is similar to real estate, as my husband was a realtor and had his own office, so we owned that business and the gallery, but we contract with artists as private contractors, and as part of their contracts they work two days in the gallery,” Burt affirmed.

“I also think part of it is not being greedy and wanting to provide a good place and atmosphere for artists and to look at the whole economy and the fact that artists have a hard time selling in the down economy because art is kind of a luxury item. We’re making art affordable and allowing for artists to still make money,” Burt said.

Proctor Art Gallery has 15 associate members, four of whom are consignment artists who choose to do a 60/40 percent consignment and don’t work in the gallery. “(In terms of artists shown) we look for quality. We look for artists who are willing to commit to the gallery and to working in the gallery and to the time it takes to be involved. We also look for variety, and have turned down artists that are excellent because they’re similar to another we already have. And also congeniality because you have to get along and people must work together,” Burt stated.

She noted that the gallery is looking for new member artists and is looking to add another wall artist and possibly some 3D artists working in fused glass, metalwork textiles or other such mediums that appeal to customers.

The one-year anniversary for the Proctor Art Gallery will have artists present to greet and meet customers for mingling and asking questions, and attendants will be able to see new work that was recently hung. There will be refreshments and entertainment, as co-owner and husband of Burt, Chuck Gourley, will be playing guitar and singing as part of his business Nostalgic Tunes. There will also be hourly door prize drawings and specials on art work that the artists will decide on.

Burt realizes that the success of her gallery is not just due to herself, her husband and their member artists and recognizes that the community played a big role in their success as they’ve had an overwhelmingly good response to the artwork. “Also, the local Proctor merchants and surrounding people have been great for supporting and welcoming us to the district,” Burt affirmed.

Artists and art patrons alike will be interested in taking in the Proctor Art Gallery’s business model and the public is invited to attend the one-year anniversary party and gallery talk and enjoy the show.

The Proctor Art Gallery’s one-year anniversary celebration will take place on Jan. 30 from 1-5 p.m. at the gallery, located at 3811 N. 26th St. in the Proctor District. For more information, call (253) 759-4238 or www.proctorartgallery.com.