The Art of the Steal

A disturbing tale of a questionable art dealer in San Francisco and money owed to the artists he represented is depicted in the article, "The Art of the Steal" by Michele Threadgould.  Artists are a vulnerable lot, desperate to show their work anywhere but in a gallery space?...  That means "you've arrived".  Maybe the gallerist, Justin Giarla was just a sloppy businessman and not someone who with malice aforethought wanted to rip off artists.  But the results are still the same.  Artists were not paid for work sold.  And if the gallerist wants to offer a discount, that should be a topic of discussion between the gallerist and the artist BEFORE such decisions are made.

Both of Giarla's galleries still have a Facebook presence, but the official website to White Walls gallery is no longer working.  The Shooting Gallery website's last post was for a February 2016 show.

Let this story be a cautionary tale for all artists.  It is a story I've heard from other artists about other galleries.

Would I have joined the gallery if asked?  I would have been thrilled.