Saskatchewan Artists Sell Work Online

Art Makers and Buyers Meet at Allsaskart.com

A Saskatoon-based social worker wants to help a vulnerable population: artists. Elizabeth Mansuy says artists contribute richly to society, but society compensates them poorly.

"Artists are very often taken advantage of because they want to make a living selling their art," says Mansuy.

As a response, Mansuy launched a website in 2009 called allsaskart.com. The website is an online market place for Saskatchewan-based artists. The site connects those looking buy art with those who make art and artistic services.

The response from artists has been encouraging.

"'Wow, you mean you're not charging 60% to sell my art?'," is a common response from artists says Mansuy.

Allsaskart.com a Hub for Saskatchewan Art

Here's how the site works:

• A Saskatchewan-based artist pays $2.50 (standard membership), $5.00 (preferred membership) or $7.50 (premium membership) per month to become a member of allsaskart.com.
• In return, the artist can post their material or service at the site.
• If someone decides to purchase the artist's material or service, allsaskart.com connects buyer and seller who then arrange payment.
• If a sale occurs, allsaskart.com retains between 3.5 (standard), 3 (preferred) or 2.5 (premium) percent of the value of the sale, depending on the artist's level of membership

The advantage of a virtual art market is that it brings many artists to the same place, and makes them easier to find. Mansuy describes it as going to a mall where people can browse various products and services, all in one location.

"There doesn't need to be tension between art and commerce," Mansuy says. "The important thing is that artists receive fair compensation for their work."

"I think without art, the world would fail to thrive," she said.

Numerous Canadian art websites offer a variety of directories, but there are surprisingly few permanent online virtual market places that bring buyers and makers of art together on a regional basis.