So you just got the publicity and press release on a big group project that you're involved with, and you've come to find out that your name is spelled wrong. (Or worse, it isn't even the right name.) What do you do?
Some artists get so irate and upset that their names are spelled wrong that they don't seek to remedy the situation. Instead they decide not to work with those people ever again and blacklist the gallery. But mistakes can and do happen and some errors are not a direct result of the gallery. There may have been a typo in the information you sent or perhaps the person who received your form couldn't read your handwriting; it is good to double check anything you send to ensure that you haven't caused any errors yourself. And, if you do find out about an error and are prompt enough, corrections may be able to be made.
It is much more beneficial to let the gallery know as soon as possible that your information is incorrect. This way, it can be corrected before further announcements and printed materials are released. Many galleries will release announcements to those participating before making them public so to avoid errors in the first place, so be sure to look such announcements over for discrepancies and respond as soon as you know of any so that your information can be changed in time.
Above all else, don't take it too personally. The institution likely didn't even know that it spelled your name incorrectly in the first place - it was probably not meant as a personal attack. (In all likelihood, they probably have never even met you or know much of you and that is part of why they got your name wrong.) I know that this knowledge may not rectify the situation, and it is something you should keep in mind when working with the institution again so that you can troubleshoot the situation should it arise a second time (should you decide to work with them again). If an institution is perpetually disorganized, scattered and insists on calling you by the wrong name then that is different, but don't hold one incident against them, especially if you did nothing to try to resolve it.
As with many other things, it is most important to be in good communication - communication can go a long way and can prevent a lot of this from happening in the first place.
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4 comments:
Oh my! There's a big target on my head! Jennifer... I know we've exchanged emails.. but I hereby hand you the virtual nerf-bat to /bonk me on the head.
So sorry!
It's okay - it's not the first time this has happened and it won't be the last, I'm sure. I don't take it personally.
Besides, you inspired me to write a blog post, and I hadn't thought of a topic to write about today... :)
jen- i have been in this situation before and true: like you said, artists cant take it personal but in my case i have an artist father and brother who share the variation of the name "dale" (which i am most often renamed) and although i know my work, it can become a supreme mix up! sometimes simple mistakes happen but overall its difficult to get your name out there and then once its out, its the wrong one! lol. i think if you have strong communication with the gallery or gallery rep, marketing rep etc. that most times its fixable or forgivable. its in the situation where everything is too distant (in connection moreso than distance) that these problems occur. great topic. good point.
on another note: i still plan to attend saturday. cant wait. please shoot me an email, i have questions about putting some of my crafts on consignment, sale etc... and jan said you would be good at helping me with that! been awhile, nice to catch up! prosperous new year to ya! see ya sat.!
You are right Dail. This is all about good communication. It is unfortunate that mistakes can happen to artists who are fighting so hard to get whatever press they can and to get recognized, but a lot of mistakes can be avoided with good communication. A lack of connection can be caused or furthered by the artist as easily as it can by the gallery representative.
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