Lakes Region Art Association Gallery
Exhibiting Artwork Packet 2025
Section 1: Exhibiting Artwork Agreement
About the Lakes Region Art Association
The Lakes Region Art Association (LRAA) is a 501-c3 non-profit corporation. The LRAA was founded in 1940 by five local artists in the Laconia area. The purpose of the LRAA is to provide a supportive and educational forum for local artists, amateurs and professionals. Members explore the use of various techniques, mediums and styles. The association seeks to nurture the creation and appreciation of the visual arts in the Lakes Region and promotes the exposure of artists’ works to the public. The association offers monthly member meetings, known as “Art Talks” which include presentations on the visual arts and techniques. Art Talks are open to the public. The association has a Gallery in the Tanger Outlets, in Tilton, NH and provides a number of other venues and opportunities for the presentation of members' artwork to the public.
LRAA Membership
Gallery participation requires membership in LRAA at the Participating level. The current Participating Member fee is $50 per year. Membership runs from January through December. LRAA membership renewals are due by January 30th of the New Year.
Obligations of Gallery Members
The gallery charges no commission on sold art. The gallery provides an opportunity for LRAA members to exhibit their artwork in the Gallery.
The artists are responsible for:
1. Paying a monthly Exhibition Fee based on the space they are using in the Gallery. (New members commit to a three-month time period with non-refundable payment in advance.)
2. Paying a $20 refundable key deposit. (Refund is given when the key is returned to the Gallery Manager.)
3. Working in the gallery as a sales associate for three (3) four to five-hour shifts every 4 weeks. The four-week period, a “rotation” is how we equitably organize shifts (fifteen hours within each four week period). Sales associates (all Gallery members) are expected to learn how to use Clover, the register system, and demonstrate proficiency before hanging their artwork.
4. Using Homebase to facilitate the scheduling of sales associates in the Gallery.
5. Helping with the required duties of Gallery Members to clean and maintain the Gallery as per the requirements of Tanger Outlet and LRAA.
The gallery is an association overseen by the LRAA Executives and the Board of Directors. The Executives and Board implement all gallery policies. In addition to maintaining their artwork displays in a professional manner, working as a sales associate, and helping with cleaning and maintenance, each Gallery artist contributes time, skills, and expertise to duties necessary to the running of the gallery and the LRAA. These other duties include responsibilities such as helping with publicity, scheduling, special events, exhibits, and training new gallery members.
While working in the LRAA Gallery, the Gallery Artist’s priorities are 1) Customer service, 2) Maintaining Gallery cleanliness, and 3) fulfilling other Gallery duties. Once those commitments are fulfilled, the artist may engage in personal artwork.
Art Work
We are a “family friendly” gallery. Artwork must conform to regulations for any other public building. Nudes, depictions of violence or anything of a sensitive, offensive nature, are not to be displayed. These decisions are up to the discretion of the Board of Directors.
The LRAA does not insure the artwork. Individual artists are responsible for providing insurance if coverage is desired.
Gallery Hours/Days
The regular Gallery hours begin at 10:00 a.m. and closing times vary seasonally determined by Tanger. Each day consists of two four to five hour shifts: 10-2 and 2-6 on Sundays, and 10-3, and 3-8 Thursday through Saturday. The gallery is normally open Thursday through Sunday. We will also be open for Monday holidays; check hours.
Scheduling
Shift scheduling is planned on a four-week rotation. New artists will be asked what days and shifts they would prefer to work. It is the responsibility of the artist to find another gallery member to sit for them if they are not able to work their assigned shifts. Anyone leaving for an extended period of time (2-3 months) will need to be approved by the Schedulers, and the artist must be sure each shift is covered prior to leaving. We use the Homebase scheduling app, which new artists will be invited to, shown how to use, and are expected to use. New Members must demonstrate proficiency prior to hanging their artwork.
Artist’s Exhibition Space Set-up
1. Artwork displayed on the wall must have a wire on the back suitable for the size and weight of the artwork.
2. Artwork must be displayed within the artist’s allotted space. Please be respectful of the artists near you.
3. Each artist should provide a bio to be displayed on their wall. Guests enjoy reading about the artists.
4. Each piece must be tagged on the back with a tag that includes the artist’s number, name and the title, medium and price of the work, and whether it is original or a print - needed for front desk/bookkeeping purposes.
5. Artists are expected to maintain an accurate list of current inventory for their own business use, as well as for the Clover system.
6. Artists are encouraged to keep their displays fresh with new artwork.
7. No artwork or merchandise is to be placed on the floor or under the panel shelf, which is the only shelf allowed, and which cannot be moved. One small print bin will be allowed per display. Keep shelves neat and clean, and include a business card holder!
8. Due to space limitations, no storage space will be provided to artists.
9. Gallery Artists are expected to participate in a Gallery meeting once every three months. The board will set a time and date for Gallery Meetings. The purpose of the meetings is to update all Gallery members with information about the Gallery, new procedures, policies and changes in the Gallery.
Gallery members are encouraged to attend LRAA Member meetings- Art Talks- on the 3rd Monday of each month, which are open to all members of the Association and the general public.
Payment for Sold Art
We do not charge a commission on artwork sold. Credit card fees, when applicable, will be deducted from the artists’ share of the sale. There is no fee for cash or check sales. Payments for sold artwork (less credit card fees) will be sent directly via bank ACH (to bank information the artist provides) around the 15th of the month following the sale of the artwork. Please provide the Treasurer with your bank information ASAP so that you can be paid. Sann Lavallee- admin@lraanh.org or leave a voided check in the cash register.
Leaving the Gallery
When leaving the gallery, artists are expected to provide at least one month’s written notice to the Gallery Manager or the President of their intent, unless there are extenuating circumstances. The written notice should provide the date the artist will be leaving and the reason for leaving. Key deposits will be refunded following the return of the Gallery key to the Gallery Manager, provided there are no outstanding exhibit fees owed. The key should be left in the Gallery register in an envelope labeled with the departing member’s name.
Reasons for the Removal of an Artist from the Gallery
1. Non-renewal of LRAA membership.
2. Non-payment of Gallery Exhibit Fees.
3. Repeatedly not showing up for a scheduled shift with no attempts to get a replacement or swap the shift. (Use of Homebase is essential here.)
4. Repeatedly not making up a missed sitting shift as required.
5. Consistently being late for scheduled shifts.
6. Unprofessional treatment of customer(s) or fellow gallery artist(s).
Policy for Artwork Left in the Gallery
When an artist leaves the Gallery, they are responsible for removing their artwork. If left over 30 days, that artist’s art will be sold at a discount and will be applied to LRAA general donations.
Exhibition Fees are calculated in the following manner:
The metal strip running vertically in the walls is the center of one “strip”. Each Gallery member must pay a fee for a minimum of 2 strips at $20.00 per strip for a total of $40.00/month. You may also have the option of paying for an additional strip at $20.00/month.
There are 2 exceptions as follows, involving the end spaces of the curtained cubicles towards the back:
On the left, looking towards the back of the Gallery, there is a narrow space to the right of the last strip near the cubicles. This space, as it is only large enough for a couple of smaller paintings, will be an additional $10. On the other end of the cubicles on the left side the wall is damaged. On the right side the walls may be considered a 3rd strip, and may be used by someone who plans to use, and pay for, 3 strips at $60.00 per month, counting the adjacent space as a strip. If someone wants 2 strips, and the space near the wall is all that is available, they may not use the wall unless they pay for it. As these spaces have no metal strips, Command® hooks are suggested, and it is recommended that you get the appropriate sized hooks for the weight and size of your art.
Table or kiosk space, and the North Wall facing the outside walkway, are available with the following guidelines:
The Gallery Management Committee (GMC) will be responsible for keeping the artwork in these spaces neat and aesthetically pleasing. It shall be at the discretion of the Committee as to how many pieces of art and their arrangement. These pieces will be framed, freestanding, the longest dimension of approximately 12”, or small enough to reliably sit on the stands that we have available. The North Wall is for larger pieces. The three tables near the left cubicles will remain clear for meetings and classes. (If extra tables are needed, use folding tables from the back room.)
Greeting Cards
Cards should be in the card racks, or on your section of shelving. All cards should be properly marked with the artist’s name and number, and price. If a card is sold that is not properly identified the sale will be recorded as a donation to LRAA.