ArtPrize Submission - Insurance Value???

[Matt Hutchinson]

Well, I finally done did it. I have entered a "public juried" art competition called ArtPrize, located here in Grand Rapids, MI.

This is the piece I plan on making except about four times as big. The finished piece will be about 5.5 feet tall. (This one is a miniature, of course. Don't pay attention to any flaws, cuz I rushed simply to be able to submit a photo of my idea.)

So, the big question now is what would the final piece be worth, that is, for insurance purposes. I used to have a bunch of bookmarks to folks who turned huge pieces, but that was all lost due to computer issues, and I don't remember the names of the artists. Anyone have links to people doing this kinda work? Thanks all!!

Hutch

[Wally Dickerman]

I have no idea about the value of the piece but I do have a question. You say the finished piece will be 5.5 feet tall. I'm curious about how you're going to hollow it, and how deep you'll go.

Wally

[alex carey]

http://www.got.net/~burly/InProgress8-14-01.html

http://www.genesisgalleryhawaii.com/ElmerAdams.htm

http://www.onegoodturn.ca/index.htm

http://www.vkleibrant.com/gallery.html

http://www.virgiltreeart.com/Welcome/tabid/377/Default.aspx

http://www.turningintoart.com/sculpture.php

These links oughta keep you busy.

[Matt Hutchinson]

Thanks for the links! There are 2 in there that I was specifically thinking of, then others who I'd never seen before. Good Stuff!!

As for how I'm going to hollow it......VERY CAREFULLY. :D I am going to have some extra heavy duty accessories made for my lathe. These include 2 tools rests, and a massive steady rest (1/2" plate steel circular frame at least). I plan on using a boring bar that's at least 2" in diameter and 6 to 8 feet long. The front tool rest will support the bar about as far as the lower rim edge (if I'm lucky). Beyond that rest, I plan on going about 24", but if I can go deeper safely I will.

Also, I plan on hollowing the bottom out to aid the drying process. The one pictured is hollowed about 3/4 the way down, then bored up from the base with a forstner bit. It actually worked well, as it was soaking wet and I dried it as fast as I could. It still is holding together, and the pith is going right down the front!

We'll see if I can do all of the above. Fun times ahead..... :)

[Curt Fuller]

I'd suggest that you begin by keeping track of how much time and material you actually put into the piece, including the cost of the special tools required to turn something like that. Then you will have somewhat of an idea of what it cost you based on how you value your time. After that you can use any formula you want to calculate what you think you want to sell it for. But you want to insure it for at least what you have invested in it.

[Dennis Puskar]

Very nice vase, good luck with the larger one.

Dennis

[alex carey]

Matt him looking forward to your setup, keep us posted on your progress, id love to try big turning like that one day.

[Robert McGowen]

I may be off base some, but I would think that it does not matter how much time or materials you have in it or even how much YOU think that it is worth. An insurance company is going to want an appraisal from someone with the credentials to put a figure on what it is worth before they insure it. Also, are you insuring against theft, against fire, against cracking apart and becoming a large piece of firewood, etc. I am guessing that you will have to make the item, possibly pay for an appraisal, and then go from there as far as insurance.

[Matt Hutchinson]

Thanks all, I will definitely be keeping you posted on the process.

Robert, you are probably not far off. I may not need an appraisal, but in order for the venues for this competition to properly insure the work while it's on display, they need some "proof" of it's value. I may only need to find a price on another artist's website in order to legitimize it's value. But basically the venues don't want to have to cover a $10,000 piece for $40,000 just cuz the artist thinks it's that valuable.

Hutch

P.S. It's a very interesting competition. It's call an 'open' competition, where any and all can enter and no one is turned away. But here's the rub: the artwork may only be displayed in sanctioned venues (they had to sign up to be sanctioned), so there is a limited amount of space. My work has to be chosen to be displayed by a venue in order to truly be in the competition. Here's keeping my fingers crossed that they like what they see..... :P

[Ray Bell]

Very ambitious project, best of luck with it. Which lathe do you have to turn something this big?

[Matt Hutchinson]

Here's my lathe. It's from the 1880s.

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n389/hyperhutch/MeandtheRollstone.jpg

Hutch

P.S. This pic is a couple years old. My work area is a little nicer now. :D

[Ray Bell]

Beautiful old lathe. What is the bed length, and size motor. I figure if you haven't wept by now, you are at least up to your armpits in shavings:)

[Greg Just]

Hutch:

Nice lathe - they don't make them like that anymore. Is that a lawnmower on the floor? What do you use that for? LOL :D

[alex carey]

holy crap that is a mean looking lathe, like i said once you get it all set up, be sure to post some picts of you hollowing, love to see that.

[Matt Hutchinson]

Well, I went looking for another post I had about the lathe, but I guess I never got into detail with it here at the Creek. So I guess I'll start a new thread (http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=1419852#post1419852).

Hutch

[Matt Hutchinson]

I got all of the venue stuff finalized. I will be exhibiting this piece at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. I am very excited!


Hutch