Amazon.com, the powerhouse of online shopping, will join forces with galleries to develop an online art marketplace this summer.

Last week, Amazon invited several galleries to an informational event held in New York City. The email invites read:

This summer Amazon is planning to launch a Fine Art Gallery where customers will be able to purchase original artwork offered by a select group of invited galleries via Amazon.com. You are cordially invited to a special event in New York where we will introduce the Amazon Art marketplace to New York galleries …. We have received overwhelming support from the galleries that have already joined the platform and we would love the opportunity to offer your gallery’s selection in the Amazon Art store.

Amazon’s representatives are keeping mum, but promise further details will be announced soon. If the plan goes forward, Amazon’s partnership with galleries could turn fine art into a mass market product—for better or worse.

See Hyperallergic’s story for more info.

16 Comments

  • Posted July 13, 2017 5:49 pm
    by Lorraine

    Is it for only “established” artists and galleries? How about doing something original and supporting the “underground artists?” Also, how much will Amazon take? Will they charge for shipping, 30% for the sale? Will they charge for the promotional Aspects of this venture? Galleries sounds like they want “established ” to get guaranteed sales…unless they make an effort to prove otherwise. Amazon: begin with the DetroitArtist’smarket.org that’s a gallery and they have a lot of talented artists that would benefit from this.

  • Posted October 25, 2013 5:03 pm
    by Dede salier

    Pls keep me informed..

  • Posted September 17, 2013 12:49 am
    by richeart .com

    Please let me know when thisg goes online. Thank you.

  • Posted August 16, 2013 12:09 am
    by Margie Sands

    Please keep me updated on this new Amazon art gallery. Thank you.

  • Posted July 24, 2013 11:27 am
    by Suzanne C.Nagy

    I am very interested to be part of the on line art gallery.You are selling my book Pollution/Remediation already and I purchase almost everything I need through your company which is the greatest.
    Thank you for your great businesses
    Sincerely Suzanne C.Nagy

  • Posted July 21, 2013 10:42 pm
    by Tariq Mix

    This sounds like it would be great. I would like to see more details.

  • Posted July 16, 2013 6:31 am
    by artist kodankandath antony francis

    I am a National Award winner artist from India.I wolud like to take part in your exhibitions.Kindly let me know further details.

  • Posted July 7, 2013 7:49 am
    by deb

    I kinda get the picture of ‘invitation only’ means established high profile galleries. Will are gallery system and gallerists pass on the savings in promotion and rent as well as launching brick and mirror shows on to the artist??? It would be nice to even get down to a 20% commission rate. As important is keeping the prices high by continued visions of the gallerists understanding of quality art.

  • Posted July 3, 2013 7:18 am
    by Lawrence Golla

    I would like to be part of this. Please keep me informed.

  • Posted June 19, 2013 7:11 pm
    by Moshe Monzon

    Would like to be part of the amazon gallery. I do original handmade wall tapestries in a unique weaving technique, giclee lithographs, and mixed media on canvas. I am in the NY area.
    Thanks,

  • Posted June 4, 2013 1:26 pm
    by Sue Burke Harrington

    I hope that you will be including some Houston area artists and galleries!

  • Posted June 3, 2013 5:22 pm
    by Holly Hackwith

    I am interested.

  • Posted June 3, 2013 12:04 pm
    by doba Afolabi

    am a painter and am interested in this venture

  • Posted June 3, 2013 11:49 am
    by Stacy Foureman

    “Select group of invited New York galleries” …it’s a good start to offer artists exposure in a new forum. It will be interesting to see what the criteria is for their selection process. Will the art be good? Will it be of a particular style? Will it be affordable?

  • Posted June 3, 2013 11:39 am
    by meroe rei

    Would love to be a part of this

  • Posted May 30, 2013 4:58 pm
    by rhoda gordon

    Would be interested to be part of an on line gallery. Keep me informed about this new venture.

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