Alexander

Review of Aurora Fine Art

An artist vendor myself, I travel the US to vend a...

An artist vendor myself, I travel the US to vend at different events and like to see local galleries to talk with local artists for my artist interview show. As someone who done sculpting from bone and fossils I wanted to get the name of an artist who sculpted a fantastic bear from a whale fossil. I got a picture of the artist's name to message him later but a female employee yelled at me for that.

As an art vendor myself I apologized and deleted the photo. I apologize saying I didn't see a no photos sign which some other galleries had since all the ones I went to so far allowed photos. I normally have a no photos sign myself I explained, but her response was, "Do I need a sign telling you not to poop in my store?" Not sure why she needed to aggressively use the word "poop" in a family friendly store. I was nothing but respectful, polite, and continued apologizing over and over, and did so sign my other friends were trying to make a big purchase with another employee and didn't want to hurt this individual's commission. It was awkward because the female employee kept pestering me, wanting to know about my job income, used the term "savage" and "poop" a few more times, before bringing up my military jacket. I think she was anti-military because that is what she pestered me on for minutes. She was asking about my military academy jacket and past but didn't seem to be listening or care about the stories I told her. She tried to keep saying I was being disrespectful again when I pointed out I was nothing but apologetic, addressed her in a calm tone, addressed her as ma'am, said I only took a photo of the artist's name, offered to delete the photo, said I didn't see a sign that said no photos, and was not the one who used the word "poop". She seemed to then strongly recommend my friends and I leave, despite them in the middle of making a purchase so I left not to cause trouble.

The funny thing is I do lectures and how to classes for other artists and vendors on how to sell art and show the right and wrong way how to treat customers. I even mention using a sign if you don't want photos being taking but if you don't have a sign be respectful and tell them no without jumping on them screaming like this Aurora Fine Art employee, especially don't use the word "poop" and savage in a public place. I will add her to my updated lectures on how not to treat customers.

I do want to point out the other employee was nice and respectful and seemed to be embarrassed how his coworker was acting, but because we weren't able to finish our purchases have to give this place 1 star. For a nice similar art gallery with less pretentious prices I recommend the fantastic Sevigny Studio, for amazing native Alaskan art and fossil, bone and ivory carvings I recommend the Alaska Fur Exchange.

After Thought: In retrospect I remember being surprised the store went out of its way to get 5 high quality vinyl signs advertising a musical for tonight only, the money spent to make a one day use sign that's going to be thrown away. If they could afford that surprised the wasn't one for their photography rules like the other galleries in town or one that said "No Service Dogs Allowed" since apparently service dogs aren't allowed inside as per another customer.