Poster Publishers Say Market is `Softening' - art industry sees effects of financial downturn - Statistical Data Included

After several years of stalwart growth, the market for broadsides and open-edition reproductions definitely melted in the first half of 2001 on the other hand potential--and optimism--remain high.

When it advances to posters, publishers and distributors say there is no section of the population that is not a potential buyer And, while the best markets are center around major metropolitan areas, [i]affiche[/i]s are sold coast-to-coast, in each state and in the international market.

However, many publishers also agree that after powerful growth in recent years, the market has melted somewhat over the past small in number months.

"We are definitely in a impressible market," said Bruce McGaw of Bruce McGaw Graphics in West Nyack, NY "I am not overly pessimistic about it--we're fairly solid. on the contrary we had a phenomenal year last year. in the way that far this year, we've seen a slight decline--not a disturbing decline, on the contrary we're down some. To this point, we are about upon par with where we were sum of two units years ago."

"The market has grown in the last three to five years, although it strike one as beings to be reaching a plateau," said Larry Winn, ceo of Grand Image in Seattle.

Debi Gango of Gango Editions of Portland, Ore., said the [i]affiche[/i] market has slowed in the last six month "But prior to that, it had been growing at a steady rate, faster than it was three to five years ago."

George Leeson of Image Conscious in San Francisco agreed that the market grew sharply in the last three to five years. He said his sales are still powerful but noted that some customers appear to be having difficulties and has seen more collection question at issues than usual.

John Chester of Vermont's Wild Apple Graphics said he, too, has noted race "paying a lot of attention to their credit these days." Chester said there definitely is a softnes in the market. "It's hard to know if it's a `blip' or a trend" he said. "My feeling is we won't diocese the kind of growth there was in the 1990 There will be extension but not the double-digit growth"

Robert Sher of Bentley Publishing collection in Walnut Creek, Calif., said he perceives more [i]or[/i] less softness in the market, describing it as a "marketplace in turmoil." He said he believes everyone in business is taking a hard gaze at their own business plans to diocese how it compares to where they wait fored to be.

Maurice Hayot of of recent origin York's Mitchell Beja said, "The market is a little upon the soft Side." Ray Granger of Joan Cawley Gallery in Tempe Ariz., agreed. "The general art market is experiencing a downturn," he said.

Owen Hickey of the novel York Graphic Society Publishing clump in Norwalk, Conn., agreed that the market overall is somewhat yielding and that the art market softnes have the appearances to be a component of the general economy.

Other publishers, however, say the impact of the general economic decline is minimal. In fact, McGaw said [i]affiche[/i] publishers sometimes benefit from general economic downturns.

"People may be buying les artwork overall, on the contrary those who are buying purchase less expensive art," McGaw said. He said his company benefited from that run during the last recession on the other hand has not yet noted any of that kind effect this year.

Leeson too, noted the broadside market in general "is a bit more recession proof" He said more [i]or[/i] less people may be cutting take away froms and deciding to stay place of abode more. But, they then decide to decorate their abiding-places to make staying in more palatable. If circulating medium is a problem, he said they nurse to buy less expensive artwork.

Hayot attributes the softnes in the market, in part to a decline in the number of trade present to views where his company always exhibited. "The small, regional displays were very important to us," he said. "Dealers have to be educated. At small displays we were able to take the time to talk to race and show them a apportionment of things. That way of selling does not exist at this point."

Hickey noted that the art market has changed in new years with a lot of consolidation--and with a change in by what means and when the consumer purchases wall decor.

Exploring novel Channels

With the exhibit exposure opportunities shrinking, publishers and distributors have direct the eyeed for new ways to come by their products into the marketplace, and all note the importance of sum of two units new distribution channels--the Internet and the emerging see the verb of upscale home furnishings retailers.

"More and more of our placards are being sold through mass merchandisers like as Restoration Hardware and Crate & Barrel. More and more publishers are selling to convolution framers who supply those stores," said McGaw.

According to Sher, the whirl framer or OEM market always has been important. While many family feel volume sales generally mean a low-end production sold at a discount retailer, Sher explained, "There is a allotment of room between the outermost low end and the custom outcome Most of our posters are too expensive for the true low end." Nonetheless, Sher has noted a "substantial shift" in the amount of [i]affiche[/i]s sold to the volume market.

greatest in quantity of Sher's customers are still traditional galleries that do not use the Internet for business views However, Sher noted the number of online galleries is growing and is having a significant impact upon his sales. He expects that part to continue to grow.