New patterns emerging – Missoula art gallery owners say changing tastes and globalization are making business tough in an ever-evolving market

Art Missoula owner Lisa Hofman does the last bit of paperwork for the gallery this week before closing the shop. "It’s getting bad," she says of the art market. "And I don’t think it’s hit bottom yet."

Lisa Hofman sits behind the counter at Art Missoula and watches as another of the artists she represents walks out the front door with a box full of pottery.

"We became very wealthy in friendships," says Hofman with a warm smile. "The amount of synergy between artists has been amazing and truly gratifying."

Unfortunately, Hofman didn’t become very wealthy in cash during her three years as co-owner of Art Missoula, a gallery located on Broadway Avenue just across from the Missoula County Courthouse. Although the gallery broke even, Hofman and her husband Josh came to the conclusion recently that they couldn’t keep up with the hectic pace of the business.

"I miscalculated how much intense work is involved dealing with this many artists," allows Lisa Hofman, who is also a bead-maker and painter. "The responsibilities involved in keeping (Art Missoula) running on a day-to-day basis just got bigger and bigger, and it left me without the time or energy to focus on my own work. It’s a choice of either: run the gallery, or be an artist."

By Joe Nickell of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2005/01/06/entertainer/ent01.txt