The ins and outs of art openings - you can die out there and be another accident statistic

OMG . . . thank you for this . . . all of you. I am 'producing' my own art show, and I do use the term 'producing' loosely - in my back yard no less and was looking for ideas on what sort of refreshments to serve. I'm currently leaning towards uncrustables (for the more sophisticated, this is a product from a box, that is pb&j sandwiches, without crust on the bread. they come frozen and when placed in a lunch box, by mid day they are ready to eat). In any event, this site made me laugh and cry all at the same time. I don't have a degree in art of any kind, and I am an artist trying to make her way and sell some work and I do truly appreciate what I have read today.

OK, so my art only gets shown in out-of-the-loop venues with the closest thing to legitimacy was my show with Lynn Schirmer at the Corridor Gallery. But let me say that my New York/from the projects cultural upbringing would not allow me to give a party without treating the guests with appreciation. I've always provided wine and snacks and Ries can attest to the bottle of scotch we shared. My only regret is that we didn't have an appropriate moment to knock off the whole bottle.
As to dishonest dealers, I do have a tale. Back in 1976 or so, I participated in a rotary show in the affluent suburb of Tenefly NJ. The auction was orchestrated by a gallery which operated out of Philladelphia Pa. I did a painting of horn players which fetched the highest price of all the work at this show. Needless to say, the gallerist crook failed to pay me my share and after repeated phone calls I took a trip to Philly and made him an offer he couldn't refuse. He cut me a check immediately and I returned to New York replete with my money and an art education that they probably don't tell you about in school.

I was hoping somebody would defend him/her self. Ok, Punch, but the other galleries you so casually cite? Maybe for special parties. Invite parties. When the front door is wide open, Seattle's skimpy on the give-aways.

Whatcho mean, Nothing?

We, at Punch, always serve food and drink, and not just wine in a box, either.

At recent Punch openings, in Seattle, we have served Wasabi Peas, Home baked goods, Jello Salad, fresh fruit, Mens Pocky, cheese and crackers, peanuts in the shell, chips, dips, cashews, deviled eggs, and lots more.
Plus cases and cases of Busch beer, various other brands of beer, juice, sodas, bubbly water, whiskey, and once even some champagne.

At other Seattle galleries, I have eaten too- at Larrimore Projects, I have had some dainty dessert products, some quiche, and gourmet cookies. And upstairs, at Ohge, I have had a whole smorgasbord of Uwajimaya delicacies. I have had great homemade brownies at Soil. In fact, Soil always has a spread, usually quite good.
Now maybe it wasnt open to the public, but I have snuck in to Western Bridge and eaten sushi, too.

My favorite art opening food, however, is a tie, between Therman Statom making hot dogs on the sidewalk, and Toi Sennhauser making edible underpants, male or female, your choice, freshlly fried with honey, berries, or chocolate sauce.

If you arent eating at Seattle openings, you are either late, or not hungry enough.