Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samantha Spalti. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Samantha, thanks for joining us today. Looking back at the decisions you made early in your career, particularly whether to join a firm or start your own, do you feel you made the right choice for that stage of your career?
I came to the gallery after it changed hands last year. The new owner was looking for someone who could balance the needs of our existing artists and customers (Sunset River Gallery has been in business 20+ years) with the vision the new owner and, subsequently I as gallery director have. For a little context, Sunset River Gallery, which was originally called Sunset River Marketplace and Art Galley, is located in the small beach community of Calabash NC. Most art galleries, even in large cities, don’t last a year, much less twenty. The original owner did a fantastic job of making this gallery a centerpiece of the community.
For the most part, the transition has been smooth. We represent many of the same artists and offer the same services we’ve always offered. Our goal, the new owner and I, is to be that same community bases gallery while expanding to a wider audience by offering investment grade blue-chip art. It’s a fine line, but we’re on our way to achieving it.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
We are one of the largest art galleries in the Carolinas and represents over 100 of the best local and regional artists of both North and South Carolina. We also have painting classes, acrylic, oil, and watercolor and have a pottery studio with two kilns. We have events such as our monthly Third Thursday Jazz night and art receptions that are wonderful opportunities for community members to mingle and get to know our artists. In addition we have occasional workshops where artists and community members alike can come in and learn new techniques and expand or create their own art practices. In addition to that, we have one of the largest collections of investment grade blue-chip art in the Carolinas, with wonderful examples of Wolf Kahn, Raimonds Staprans, and Angel Botello pieces, among many others. We also have bronze sculptures from Edward McCartan and Glenna Goodacre to round out our collection.
I am also an artist by formal training, with a BA in Studio Art from University at Albany, where i graduated with honors a Magna Cum Laude.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
For us, it’s keeping what we’re doing in front of our customers by way of a large social media presence, monthly newsletters telling our customers what’s coming up and the personal touch of written invitation to shows to our bigger customers. Consistency, while not being overwhelming in the amount of content we share, is key here.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Listen to your team. Really hear them. Sometimes they have a perspective that hasn’t occurred to me and I value that they trust that they can bring their ideas to me and I’ll take them into consideration. Also understanding that you need to be there for your team in the same way you expect them to be there for you. This isn’t a one way street. If you expect loyalty, you must be loyal. Have the backs of all who are on your team. Want the best for them and they’ll do their best for the business.
Contact Info:
- Website: sunsetrivergallery.com
- Instagram: @sunsetrivergallery
- Facebook: Sunset River Galley
Image Credits
Christiana Lehmann