A Quiet Gallery Experience with Simonne Roy (#75)

What is something special you can do for your subscribers and collectors when your shows and large events are canceled because of a pandemic? Give them a private viewing experience, of course.

This week, my guest is Simonne Roy, a contemporary American impressionist painter grounded in the plein air painting tradition. For years, Simonne has been inviting VIPs into her home, which she had transformed into a gallery, for a one-night party. The money and effort she invested in the event resulted in good sales and relationships. Each year's success built on that of previous years.

When Covid struck, her hopes for a successful home gallery show in 2020 were dashed, until, like many scrappy entrepreneurs, Simonne found a different way to make it happen. She decided to hold the VIP appreciation without the party.

In this episode, you'll hear how Simonne gave people a private experience that few people get to have with art, which she calls the Quiet Gallery Experience. If she measured its success by the amount of sales only, she could have counted it a success. But sales were almost secondary because Simonne measures her success by the goodwill she created with her subscribers and collectors.

Listen closely to hear what she did to set the stage and make it special, what she would do differently next time, and how she netted the same amount of money from the participation of fewer people.

Highlights

• Simonne Roy shares the journey that led to her art business and her current income sources. (2:28)

• Transforming a house into an intimate, personalized home gallery. (7:10)

• The inspiration that saved Simonne's gallery experience during Covid. (13:42)

• How can greater vulnerability result in more meaningful connections? (20:05)

• Scheduling a full day of showings and Simonne's goal for each visitor. (21:51)

• Preparing any space for a full gallery experience. (25:22)

• Results from the gallery included sales, a teaching offer and increased connections. (29:29)

• Reducing overhead for an event can still result in positive net sales. (34:10)

• Marketing an event and creating a thoughtful gift for your customers. (36:14)

• Simonne shares the lessons she learned for next time. (38:11)

• A peek at what is holding Simonne's attention in the studio now. (38:34)

Mentioned

• Simonne Roy

• Simonne Roy on Instagram

• Marcher jusqu'au soir by Lydie Salvayre

Resources

• Photos and full show notes

• Art Career Success System

• Art Biz Success Community

• Intro and outro music by Wildermiss

About My Guest

Simonne Roy describes herself as a contemporary American impressionist painter grounded in the plein air landscape painting tradition. She is also a Francophile, and has lived in France for extended periods over the years—adding quintessential French subjects such as pastries, breads, and cheeses to her nature-inspired paintings.

A lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, Roy lives in Lewisburg, where she maintains her studio and home gallery.