What Audrey George initially thought was an important breakthrough in her artistic career has instead turned into a lawsuit for an alleged breach of contract against Sierra Arts Foundation, seeking over $2,000 in lost commissions.
After being selected for the Galleries at Work program with the non profit, George loaned eight original paintings to be shown at Plumas Bank for six months from June to December for a $600 stipend and the possibility of sales.
“I thought this was going to be the biggest milestone in my art career,” she said as she smiled posing in front of her art displayed at the bank in early June. George has been an artist for five years, describing her style as water color landscapes with an impressionistic style.
“I’ve been applying for galleries for over a year. This was my first time,” she said during a phone call with Our Town Reno. When the art was installed, a few of her friends came to celebrate with her, and bank staff was present to congratulate her.
The waiting game then began for her to receive her full $600 payment.
“I thought maybe I [needed] to pick up the check or something,” she remembers.
After waiting for a month, and being told the check was on its way, she went to the Sierra Arts Foundation office for an update.
At that point, she says she was given a check for just $100.
Trying to get her full payment, George then called the bank which explained to her it pays Sierra Arts Foundation a yearly fee at the beginning of the year for their partnership, but doesn’t pay the showcased artists directly.
After that, George says she was then told by Sierra Arts Foundation that there had been a typo in her contract which should have been for $100 instead of $600.
On July 18th, a friend who visited the bank told George her art was no longer being exhibited there. To this day, she is not currently in possession of her art valued at $2,200.
Seven days after she filed her lawsuit in small claims court, George says she received a $500 check, completing the payment, but without any indication about her art.
After we wrote to the non profit, after several days of waiting, Our Town Reno received this very brief quote last Friday attributed to Tracey Oliver, the executive director of the Sierra Arts Foundation: “The remaining amount was mailed on Friday of last week prior to any reference to further action. Our understanding was she wanted the paintings displayed so they are currently in our possession until an alternate site is located. She is welcome to collect them at any time should she wish.”
“If Sierra Arts was attempting to find my art another venue and I am welcome to pick up my art, then they would have communicated that with me when it was removed,” George wrote to us as a reply to that statement.
“I’d like to arrange a neutral pick up point,” George told us in our subsequent phone call interview. “I’m not comfortable going into the gallery. When I did, it just wasn't a positive experience. If that can be arranged, I would be grateful, but if not, I will wait until the mediation.”
On its website, the Sierra Arts Foundation says the Galleries at Work program “is designed to support local artists and businesses by exposing their work to a different demographic than typical gallery attendees. It also enhances the employee’s quality of life by enhancing their space with an environment of great art.”
It says it has existing contracts with the ROC Reno Orthopedic Clinic, The Reno Aces, NV Energy, NV State Board of Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors, Plumas Bank, with new clients sponsored by the City of Sparks, including Engine 8 Winery, Packs N Pints, Tres Hombres, O’Skies, and Pinon.
“We feature artwork by local artists, specializing in a variety of mediums and techniques to ensure that your office art experience is diverse and ever changing. Participation in the program gives the artists more exposure in the community and the opportunity to sell their work,” the statement concludes.
“I am heartbroken about the outcome from my first gallery show. I want to use this platform to advocate for artists to make strong contracts that protect them,” George wrote in her initial message to Our Town Reno. “Going to court was a last resort after I discovered my art was missing and my check would not come. I once believed Sierra Arts to be the most reputable arts organization in this area, and I am appalled at their actions.”
Her displaced artwork is accepting bids on her website https://audreysoddities.art/ and prints are available for free local pickup on her instagram @AudsOddities. If her art is recovered, Audrey says she is looking for a new gallery to display her recent collection, which is called Western Heart, Colorful Wide World.