Page 22 - LIN JAN 2022 WEB FILES

ASK THE

artsperts www.harmonmeek.com

by Kristine Meek and Juliana Meek 599 NINTH STREET NORTH SUITE 309 | NAPLES, FL 34102 | 239.261.2637

Dear Artsperts, takes us two days to complete with all three of us, Bill, Kristine

What is something about running an art gallery that may not be and Juliana, working throughout the day. We also happily retrieve
readily apparent? more works out of the racks in our backroom storage upon request.
Sincerely, Somehow getting works out is always easier than putting them back
Uncovered in. It remains a mystery how easily artwork fills in the space when a
painting is removed. We then deliver and install the works in private
homes once they are purchased. We build boxes and wrap purchased
Dear Uncovered, works to ship to clients or to loan to museum exhibitions. We load
artwork in our van and move works between our two galleries.
A few years back there was a reality show following the
For works that are beyond our abilities, for example, stone
“Gallerinas” of New York City. The term “Gallerinas” describes the
sculptures that weigh over 200 lbs, we call in extra hands and muscles.
young, often female interns, fresh out of college with degrees in Art
Timothy Stready and his family at Cleveland Bass Movers have
History who take entry-level positions at New York Galleries. In one
helped us out for over 40 years. We also will call on Murray Collette
episode, a young gallerina was asked to help uncrate a large shipment
of ArtMove LLC when paintings are too big for our van. He and his
of works. This particular gallerina also happened to be the daughter
team help us to install large works of art over 100’ in homes.
of a major collector. She looked at the Gallery director and replied,
A lot of this manual labor is done before we open and on our “days
“Ugh, do you know who my father is?” After which she walked away
off”. Our regular hours in season are 11-5 Tuesday through Saturday.
to allow others to do the manual labor.
However, you will often find us in the gallery working and inevitably
When we first came back into our family art gallery nine years ago,
sweating during our off hours. This is the less than glamorous side of
we often would joke with our own father using this line when a big
running an art gallery, but then again, we aren’t gallerinas.
shipment of artwork arrived, or an exhibition needed to be changed.
Of course, this was in full humor as our gallery is a small business,
Sincerely,
with no gallerina interns. In fact, everyday is all-hands-on-deck. Plus,
it is something we The Artsperts
both enjoy…and saves
on gym memberships
too. So, to answer the
question, one aspect
of running a gallery
that may not be readily
apparent is how
much manual labor is
involved in our work.
Large shipments
come to us often in
wood crates on pallets
and delivered outside
our gallery. If rain is an
issue, we set up a pop
tent to provide cover.
We change exhibitions
in the Gallery each
month. This typically
Juliana uncrates a large shipment from Hunt Slonem. Kristine installs a large work by Mally Khorasantchi

22 Life in Naples | January 2022