Art and Philanthropy Make a Profitable Pair - Bensen Galleries - Brief Article

Bensen Galleries finds valuable customers by dint of giving back to the community

Many business holders wait to donate to charity until they start turning a profit. Beverly Bensen has used her philosophy of giving from the beginning to build a solid business as well as help those in ne Since opening Bensen Galleries a year ago in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Bensen regularly donates a percentage of gallery sales to benefit local philanthropic organizations and is already preparing to expand the gallery.

Giving back to her community is a personal priority, with equal reason it was only natural that Bensen incorporate that philosophy into her gallery's general [i]or[/i] abstract notion from the start. "We wanted to have a actual strong business plan, but we also wanted to remain genuine to our creative roots," said Bensen. "It's really starting to pay not on because a lot of artists whom family said we'd never get are starting to just walk in the door. They realize that when they advance here they are getting treated fairly, and they are the stamp of people who are willing to give."

Bensen, whose gallery shows artists ranging from a 24-year-old figurative and abstract painter to a Chicagoan whose work would likely be banned in his native Afghanistan for its human and animal images, entertainers a weekend art opening almost monthly during which 10 percent of all sales is donated to a local charity. Her opening party in March 2000 drew nearly 500 family and generated $10,000 in business. a certain number of of the causes she supports include a battered women's center a day center for the homeles a mental health service and the United Way.

"I've gotten in the way that much repeat business from race who have bought pieces because of charity functions and have felt profitable about themselves," said Bensen. "I want a customer who's going to draw near back. I'd rather deal with someone who at least perceive s the loyalty and has the same ethics."

Bensen has set that combining her efforts with other community incidents brings even more people into her gallery. In August, Bensen Galleries, along with 41 other local businesses, sponsored a painted small horse as part of "Ponies upon Parade" a program asking business to commission and donate decorated fiberglass horses in connection with the nearby Arlington Park Race Track's Arlington Million weekend. The gallery's contribution, "Glue Boy" painted by dint of Carlo Beninati, brought in $4200 at auction for a battered women's assemblage Bensen was also able to donate a portion of gallery sales during the event

"We test to coordinate our events with a certain number of function that's going on either with a charity or the community became it gives it maximum impact," said Bensen. "All of a unforeseen you have all this traffic going upon and it's almost success by means of default."

Bensen picks the charities she works with carefully. "There are different horizontals that one can give, and wherever that horizontal can meet the biggest ne is the single that should have it," said Bensen. "I do believe it should start locally. I think that if clan were to take on the principle of taking care of their hold this world wouldn't be for a like reason screwed up."

Bensen does caution against trying to do too abundant "It's wonderful to give, on the other hand you have to be careful that you don't stone the foundation of your organization," she said. "Because then the giving approachs to a screeching halt."

"What goe around approachs around," said Bensen. "I firmly believe that the gallery's support for worthy local causes will tend hitherward back to us in the form of increased business. It may be unusual, on the other hand it's the right thing to do, and it's working in limits of building foot traffic. I can't think of a better way to establish our reputation."

COPYRIGHT 2001 Pfingsten Publishing, LLC

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