LIHUE — In November 2011, North Shore artist Carol Diane Bevis was strolling along Kuhio Highway in Wainiha when she noticed a “For Rent” sign on the door next to Red Hot Mamas and the Wainiha General Store. Two weeks
LIHUE — In November 2011, North Shore artist Carol Diane Bevis was strolling along Kuhio Highway in Wainiha when she noticed a “For Rent” sign on the door next to Red Hot Mamas and the Wainiha General Store.
Two weeks later, 7 Artists Gallery opened its doors for business. The building is no longer just a “last stop” for snacks and drinks, but also locally made art — and lots of it.
The gallery has and continues to follow its own set of simple and fair rules, according to Bevis, who serves as founder and group leader.
“It’s a new business model that’s based on people doing their passion and working together cooperatively,” she said.
Bevis’ vision began with a list of “intentions,” including empowering artists, especially emerging and under-represented ones; creating something Bevis herself wanted to be a part of; making a living from art and helping others to do the same; providing “art for the people” at affordable prices; and encouraging a variety of original expressions.
The gallery is bright and colorful, with a positive, North Shore vibe and a wide variety of reasonably priced original paintings, photographs, mixed media, ceramics and jewelry.
At the start, the seven original artists (hence the name) met monthly and voted, usually via email, on gallery policies.
The two “sacred cows,” as Bevis calls them, remain in place today.
First, there’s the 30/60/90/10 split.
Unlike most galleries, Bevis set up 7 Artists so that a larger percentage of each sale goes directly to the artist. The artist takes home 60 percent. The seller, always one of the artists, gets 30 percent. And the remaining 10 percent (minus credit card charges) goes to Bevis and the gallery.
The 90 represents the amount an artist is able to rake in if they are working the gallery and sell a piece of their own work. However, Bevis said artists must represent everyone else’s art as they would their own.
“I think I have picked an excellent group of people who are very conscientious about representing everybody,” she said.
The other “sacred cow” rule is that each artist’s wall space must feature original work (with the exception of metal prints), and 50 percent of everything in their designated area must be original.
“I knew from the beginning that it was going to be a tremendous learning experience, and it has been,” Bevis said. “And, (I knew) that it would not work for everyone.”
But so far, nearly two years in, sales have been on a steady upward trend, according to Bevis.
“Last month we more than tripled our first year’s average. I think the concept is working well.”
The gallery is currently home to 11 local, female artists, including Bevis. In fact, the number of artists is just about the only thing that has really changed since opening day.
“We are seven painters with very different styles, one photographer, two jewelers, also with very different styles, and one clay artist,” Bevis said.
Each artist works two days per month, while Bevis fills in the remaining days. There is no dress code. And because the gallery is only 200 square feet, each artist is allowed to place larger artwork in front of the shop on the days they watch over the gallery.
As founder and administrator, Bevis chooses the artists. While she considers everyone, she says she is not interested in prima donnas.
“What I look for are people that are personable, people that are creative, and people that are dedicated to their art,” she said. “This is a cooperative. This is a group effort.”
The gallery’s newest member, Jennifer Rutt, who joined in June, agreed that the model at 7 Artists Gallery is a good one.
“It’s fun,” she said of her days working the gallery. “It’s fun to come down and socialize with tourists and locals.”
Artist Donia Lilly said she has lived and traveled all over the world, been in galleries in many places, and never come across a working model like the one at 7 Artists. It’s not just a great idea or fantasy, but it is actually working, she said.
Bevis is the glue that holds it all together.
“I just appreciate how really giving (Bevis) is to the gallery and the other artists of her time and effort to create something we can all participate in,” Lilly said.
For those interested in joining this unique team, the gallery will be looking for one new member starting in September. As for a long term goal, Bevis said there is committee working on finding a location for a second gallery closer to town — which one they haven’t decided.
The gallery currently features artwork by Carol Diane Bevis, Donia Lilly, Jennifer Rutt, Taylor Lowe, Cynthia Riedel, Leticia Elzaurdia and Suzy Staulz, photography by Alia DeVille, ceramics by Toni Wagner, and jewelry by Kat Bertucci and Lauren Johnson.
7 Artists Gallery is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit its Facebook page or call 826-0044.
