Frequently Asked Questions
Visiting
Where are you?
100 W Main Street in downtown Wytheville, Virginia.
When are you open?
Thursday through Saturday, 11 to 3, though someone is here most days. Artists rent studio space from us and keep the gallery open while they work, so it's worth stopping in even on an off day. Sunday through Wednesday by appointment, and we'll almost always make other times work if you ask.
Do I need an appointment?
Not during open hours. Come in, take your time, ask questions. If you want to see a specific piece or talk about a Major purchase, an appointment means we can give you the room and the attention.
Buying art
Is everything original?
Every painting, drawing, sculpture, and ceramic piece we carry is a one-of-a-kind original by a working artist. Prints are clearly labeled as prints, produced in limited runs and hand-signed.
The gifts and goods work the same way, just at a different scale. Everything we stock is made in the by small makers and independent studios, most of them in Appalachia and the surrounding region. We buy in small quantities, restock what people actually love, and choose materials and makers we'd want in our own homes. Nothing here was ordered by the pallet from a catalog.
Why can I buy some pieces online but have to inquire about others?
Our Major Works are the largest and most significant pieces we carry, and they don't sell well through a checkout button. They need crating, insured freight, and usually a conversation first, about scale, framing, and how the piece reads in a real room. Use the inquiry form on any of those pages and we'll take it from there.
What happens after I submit an inquiry?
We get back to you within one business day. We'll answer whatever you want to know, send additional photos or a scale reference, and if you decide to move forward we'll send an invoice with the artwork and delivery quoted as separate line items.
Can I see a piece in person before deciding?
Yes, and we'd encourage it if you're anywhere near. Art photographs differently than it reads on a wall. If you can't get here, ask for more photos and we'll shoot it against a wall with furniture for scale.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, on works above $1,500. Ask when you inquire.
Do the artists get paid?
Yes. Every artist we carry is paid on a consignment basis, and shipping and crating costs are billed separately so they never come out of the artist's share.
Shipping and delivery
How much is shipping?
Gifts, prints, and small goods ship for a flat $8, or free on orders of $65 or more. Ceramics, framed work, and mid-size pieces are calculated at checkout by weight, starting at $20. Major Works are quoted individually.
Can I pick up at the gallery?
Always, and it's always free, on everything including Major Works. Choose local pickup at checkout, or just say so when you inquire. We'll have it wrapped and ready, usually within 24 hours.
Do you deliver?
Within 400 miles of Wytheville, we deliver personally. The work travels flat and hand-carried and never sits in a freight terminal. Rates depend on distance. Beyond that range, Major Works ship crated and fully insured with freight quoted by size and destination.
Do you ship internationally?
Not at this time, but reach out and we'll see what's possible.
What if something arrives damaged?
Photograph the box and the piece before unpacking any further, and contact us within 48 hours. We'll make it right.
Other
Can I return something?
Gifts, goods, and prints can be returned within 30 days. Let us know first, then send them back unused and in original condition and we'll refund you in full. Return shipping is yours.
Original artwork is different. Each piece is one of a kind, and the artist is paid when it sells, so we can't take original work back for a refund. If a piece truly isn't right in your space, reach out within 14 days of delivery and we'll work with you on store credit toward something that is. Shipping, crating, and delivery costs aren't refundable.
This is exactly why we'd rather talk before you buy. Ask for more photos, ask for a scale reference against a wall, come see it in person if you can. We want the piece to be right.
If something arrives damaged, that's not a return, that's our problem to fix. Photograph the box and the piece before unpacking further and contact us within 48 hours.
Do you take commissions?
Yes. Lily takes on a few commissioned pieces each year, and several of our artists do as well. Tell us what you have in mind, the space it's going in, and roughly what you're hoping to spend, and we'll match you with the right artist or let you know if it isn't a fit. Commissioned work typically takes 8-10 weeks from agreement to delivery.
Do you offer art lessons?
Yes. Lily offers three-hour individual lessons at the gallery or over Zoom, tailored to what you want to work on. Details on the lesson page.
How do I submit my work?
Through the artist submission page. We show regional and national artists and we do look at everything that comes in.
How do I hear about openings and new work?
Join the email list. We send about once a month: what's new on the walls, who's showing next and when, a few available pieces, and whatever we've fallen for in the shop. No spam, and you can leave any time. You can also follow us on Instagram at @formatofinearts