Miami County Artisan Gallery — Attraction in Peru

UPDATE: Ms. Compton provided us with 2 checks today as a direct result of the negative reviews about the Artisan Gallery, we CANNOT cash them until April 30th and she had not intention on paying us until it was convenient for her. She blatantly lied about having mailed any check to us and made no attempt to ask us if her payment could be deferred until May when she would have the funds. Again the conversation was about HER, HER finances, HER ability to pay and HER convenience. She attempted to use our son as a ploy to excuse her behavior and convince me that her purchase of the sculpture was a gesture of kindness when in fact she didn't know about our intent for the funds until her 2nd payment was late and she brushed our need off as HER personal finances were more important than making timely payments. Furthermore, she denied having charged us a commission and tried to tell me that it was a private sale. HOWEVER, I've attached a copy of the contract in which Ms. Compton agreed to pay us on the 4th of each month, that 30% of the sale was a commission and that the sale was for $6,000. I've redacted our Personal information, but kept her signature and portion of the agreement. Everything with reference to the sale "sold @ $6,000..." was written by Ms. Compton herself and signed off on by her. My question here is how can someone run a business like this, she has no integrity, where did the $1800 go, it was supposed to be ear marked for the gallery, she literally GAVE herself a 30% discount on the sculpture and shorted us the $1800 in one swoop. I truly cannot emphasize how much I would deter people from using the Miami County Artisan Gallery and would implore everyone go anywhere else where the curator isn't the owner, director and sole proprietor for the gallery. She mixed her own personal desire to own our sculpture with her business and didn't treat us very well. It's truly disappointing. She stated over and over that she didn't care how late she was AND adamantly believes that it's OKAY to be late in making her payments and keeping her financial obligations. Again, STAY AWAY!

Follow the link below to see the full original review on the gallery Facebook...

I went to Executive Director Marlene Mickelson to see if the gallery would be interested in buying some paintings I had. I dropped them off on May 2nd. She told me she'd call me on May 7th. She told me she would be busy that weekend (3-5th) with an art festival. When she didn't call by the 9th, I called her. She said I had written my number on the receipt she gave me. I didn't. I wrote my number on a paper in her office and left it in her office. Why would I write my number down and then take it? Marlene said she was busy and would call me on the 14th. On the 16th, when I hadn't heard from her, I called. She told me again that I had written my number down on the receipt and taken it with me. Then she said that she was having someone come by to look at them on the 17th and she would call me after. On the 18th, when the gallery was supposed to open, I went there. It wasn't open. I called her and asked if she was coming to the office. She again told me she didn't have my number cuz it was on that receipt. Again it was not. She said she was coming to the office. When she got there she tried to explain that she had been busy with this art festival. IT WAS 1 DAY!!! May 11!! She said since that person came on the 17th, now she has to do her research. After 2 weeks, she hadn't done anything with my paintings. She didn't tell the truth once that I could tell. I'm not sure how she became the executive director. But someone that isn't trustworthy shouldn't be running a business or be in that kind of position! Take my advice. Go anywhere else but there! Don't deal with...

I take an art class at the gallery and absolutely love it!! They are nonprofit so...