They went live with Passion4Art in November, one among hundreds of Web ventures that could revolutionize the way people buy and sell art. Mike May, analyst with research firm Jupiter Communications, expects the Internet will open doors to new buyers. While many sites focus mostly on sales, he said, Passion4Art also has a discussion board, events calendar, links to other sites and a place where visitors can create e-greeting cards. Hajela is director of strategic business. Internet sites, like galleries, range from the exclusive to the funky.
Many sites deal only in select works and take big commissions on sales.
Other sites are merely extensions of existing galleries, nonprofit art groups and art leagues. Some artists have set up their own personal Web pages, as well. The cost to artists for operating online varies from free to various fees or commission levels. Wis. He said the site had 300 artists when it launched nine months ago and now is approaching 1,300 artists and 7,000 works. The more successful online art sites, in terms of volume, will be those with a strong brand name and the best merchandise, said May with Jupiter Communications.