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The Outfit That Got Meghann Snow Fired

by Art Fag City on November 23, 2009 · 94 comments

POST BY PADDY JOHNSON
art fag city, mike weiss
Sara Harari, assistant director, and Mike Weiss. Image via: Art and Living

Holy ick. Meghann Snow, whom some of you may remember as AFC’s pick for Best Comment in ArtInfo’s profile on BRAVO’s Untitled Art Project auditions, sent us an account of her abusive firing from Mike Weiss Gallery this weekend. Weiss, who runs a fairly well known ground floor gallery in Chelsea, gained a reputation for douchebaggery in our books during the fall of 2005, when he called the police on artist Eric Doeringer for selling “bootlegs” out front his gallery. He managed to degrade that status even further last week, when he fired Meghann Snow for wearing an outfit he didn’t like. Her account below (originally published via: Jerry Saltz’s Facebook page):

- Monday November 16th: First day of working as a registrar at Mike Weiss Gallery. Typical first day learning ropes; Day was successful and long.

- Tuesday, November 17th: Second day of working at Mike Weiss Gallery
Afternoon. 1:00PM: Owner of gallery Mike Weiss asks me to follow him into the back part of the gallery. I follow him. He says, “I own this gallery and I have the right to inspect you.” He ‘inspects me,’ looks at me head to toe. He says,”Can you remove your cardigan.” ( I was wearing: a Banana Republic charcoal gray cardigan, a black American Apparel tank top tucked into a silk blackdiesel skirt, with black tights and frye clean dark gray boots and my hairwas curly.) I removed my cardigan. He “inspects me” head to toe, looks at me, and then asks ”Can you pull your hair back? I want to see what you look like with your hair pulled back.” I pull my hair back. He says, “Can you let it go down? Let’s see it down again.” I do what he asks. He says “It looks better pulled back.” I got back to work.

2:00PM: I am told by the director that I can leave because the gallery will not have a desk set up for me until Friday. I leave.

Same night. 8:00PM: Phone call from the gallery. Director tells me that she is “sad she has to do this over the phone, and was hopping that things would work out … but she had a meeting wit Mike and he ”wasn’t pleased with your presentation today. You aren’t bubbly or loud or happy enough.”

I was fired.

We have not yet been able to reach Mike Weiss for comment.

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  • LG

    Good to know that if you want to work for Mr. Weiss, you are expected to be eternally “loud, happy and bubbly”. The definition of a cheerleader. It is my experience that these are not the prerequisites for doing a job successfully, especially one that requires attention to detail.

  • LG

    Good to know that if you want to work for Mr. Weiss, you are expected to be eternally “loud, happy and bubbly”. The definition of a cheerleader. It is my experience that these are not the prerequisites for doing a job successfully, especially one that requires attention to detail.

  • John Tomlinson

    To respond to Joanne Mattera’s query “who cuts the better sartorial figure?”, I would say that at least in this photo with the gallery as a backdrop, neither one. This is a pitiful matter of immaturity in interpersonal relations, not worthy of all this debate about dress.

  • John Tomlinson

    To respond to Joanne Mattera’s query “who cuts the better sartorial figure?”, I would say that at least in this photo with the gallery as a backdrop, neither one. This is a pitiful matter of immaturity in interpersonal relations, not worthy of all this debate about dress.

  • onomatopoea

    Mike Weiss Gallery almost sounded reasonable (no one likes a gloomy gus or a sourpuss) until the last ad hominem attack about just wanting to attract web traffic – MWG should have hired a PR team for damage control though, instead of doing this in house.nnThere are better ways – like posting lolcats and tagging pictures with celebrity names. nnJerry Saltz, Gerhard Richter, Peter Schjeldahl, Luc Tuymans. 9-11. Lolcats. That sort of thing. nnIs this a put on a performance? Life and art? Breaking the fourth wall? Or am I high? (I’m not).nnCan we hear from registrars what the learning curve is for someone who uses email and can turn on a computer? 3 days? A week? Bottom line is if she was “the right person” most businesses would have trained her. Right? Right.nnTarnishing the reputation of respected galleries is better done on howsmydealing.com, that’s howsmydealing.com, howsmydealing.com.

  • onomatopoea

    Mike Weiss Gallery almost sounded reasonable (no one likes a gloomy gus or a sourpuss) until the last ad hominem attack about just wanting to attract web traffic – MWG should have hired a PR team for damage control though, instead of doing this in house.nnThere are better ways – like posting lolcats and tagging pictures with celebrity names. nnJerry Saltz, Gerhard Richter, Peter Schjeldahl, Luc Tuymans. 9-11. Lolcats. That sort of thing. nnIs this a put on a performance? Life and art? Breaking the fourth wall? Or am I high? (I’m not).nnCan we hear from registrars what the learning curve is for someone who uses email and can turn on a computer? 3 days? A week? Bottom line is if she was “the right person” most businesses would have trained her. Right? Right.nnTarnishing the reputation of respected galleries is better done on howsmydealing.com, that’s howsmydealing.com, howsmydealing.com.

  • onomatopoea

    Mike Weiss Gallery almost sounded reasonable (no one likes a gloomy gus or a sourpuss) until the last ad hominem attack about just wanting to attract web traffic – MWG should have hired a PR team for damage control though, instead of doing this in house.nnThere are better ways – like posting lolcats and tagging pictures with celebrity names. nnJerry Saltz, Gerhard Richter, Peter Schjeldahl, Luc Tuymans. 9-11. Lolcats. That sort of thing. nnIs this a put on a performance? Life and art? Breaking the fourth wall? Or am I high? (I’m not).nnCan we hear from registrars what the learning curve is for someone who uses email and can turn on a computer? 3 days? A week? Bottom line is if she was “the right person” most businesses would have trained her. Right? Right.nnTarnishing the reputation of respected galleries is better done on howsmydealing.com, that’s howsmydealing.com, howsmydealing.com.

  • onomatopoea

    Mike Weiss Gallery almost sounded reasonable (no one likes a gloomy gus or a sourpuss) until the last ad hominem attack about just wanting to attract web traffic – MWG should have hired a PR team for damage control though, instead of doing this in house.nnThere are better ways – like posting lolcats and tagging pictures with celebrity names. nnJerry Saltz, Gerhard Richter, Peter Schjeldahl, Luc Tuymans. 9-11. Lolcats. That sort of thing. nnIs this a put on a performance? Life and art? Breaking the fourth wall? Or am I high? (I’m not).nnCan we hear from registrars what the learning curve is for someone who uses email and can turn on a computer? 3 days? A week? Bottom line is if she was “the right person” most businesses would have trained her. Right? Right.nnTarnishing the reputation of respected galleries is better done on howsmydealing.com, that’s howsmydealing.com, howsmydealing.com.

  • onomatopoea

    Mike Weiss Gallery almost sounded reasonable (no one likes a gloomy gus or a sourpuss) until the last ad hominem attack about just wanting to attract web traffic – MWG should have hired a PR team for damage control though, instead of doing this in house.\n\nThere are better ways – like posting lolcats and tagging pictures with celebrity names. \n\nJerry Saltz, Gerhard Richter, Peter Schjeldahl, Luc Tuymans. 9-11. Lolcats. That sort of thing. \n\nIs this a put on a performance? Life and art? Breaking the fourth wall? Or am I high? (I’m not).\n\nCan we hear from registrars what the learning curve is for someone who uses email and can turn on a computer? 3 days? A week? Bottom line is if she was “the right person” most businesses would have trained her. Right? Right.\n\nTarnishing the reputation of respected galleries is better done on howsmydealing.com, that’s howsmydealing.com, howsmydealing.com.

  • martin

    i recall five+ years ago an acquaintance in richmond moved to new york and got a job at mike weiss and was out FAST. i asked our mutual friend (a respected local gallery employee) what happened but she had promised not to tell and only rolled her eyes and said it was BAD.nnso i will give meghann the benefit of the doubt.

  • martin

    i recall five+ years ago an acquaintance in richmond moved to new york and got a job at mike weiss and was out FAST. i asked our mutual friend (a respected local gallery employee) what happened but she had promised not to tell and only rolled her eyes and said it was BAD.nnso i will give meghann the benefit of the doubt.

  • martin

    i recall five+ years ago an acquaintance in richmond moved to new york and got a job at mike weiss and was out FAST. i asked our mutual friend (a respected local gallery employee) what happened but she had promised not to tell and only rolled her eyes and said it was BAD.\n\nso i will give meghann the benefit of the doubt.

  • carry

    First of all, in response to Christine’s comment: “this is borderline sexual harassment” I would say that is a very irresponsible and completely unfounded statement/accusation as well as ignorant to what real sexual harassment is. In no way does anything Mr. Weiss did or say amount to sexual harassment. This gallery is a respected and reputable gallery and Ms. Snow has done more damage to her career than she knows by acting immature and unreasonable about this situation. If one is not able to successfully send out an email or shipping order, than they are not at all qualified for such a position and should be let go. Surely working in a Chelsea gallery is no easy feat, but I am sure if she showed promise of being a hard and effective employee than she wouldn’t have been let go. Impressive resume or not, lets start making this person take responsibility for her part in this instead of acting like a highschool student. It sounds like her ego was damaged- nothing more.

    Editor’s note: This comment has been edited.

  • carry

    First of all, in response to Christine’s comment: “this is borderline sexual harassment” I would say that is a very irresponsible and completely unfounded statement/accusation as well as ignorant to what real sexual harassment is. In no way does anything Mr. Weiss did or say amount to sexual harassment. This gallery is a respected and reputable gallery and Ms. Snow has done more damage to her career than she knows by acting immature and unreasonable about this situation. If one is not able to successfully send out an email or shipping order, than they are not at all qualified for such a position and should be let go. Surely working in a Chelsea gallery is no easy feat, but I am sure if she showed promise of being a hard and effective employee than she wouldn’t have been let go. Impressive resume or not, lets start making this person take responsibility for her part in this instead of acting like a highschool student. It sounds like her ego was damaged- nothing more.

    Editor’s note: This comment has been edited.

  • carry

    First of all, in response to Christine’s comment: “this is borderline sexual harassment” I would say that is a very irresponsible and completely unfounded statement/accusation as well as ignorant to what real sexual harassment is. In no way does anything Mr. Weiss did or say amount to sexual harassment. This gallery is a respected and reputable gallery and Ms. Snow has done more damage to her career than she knows by acting immature and unreasonable about this situation. If one is not able to successfully send out an email or shipping order, than they are not at all qualified for such a position and should be let go. Surely working in a Chelsea gallery is no easy feat, but I am sure if she showed promise of being a hard and effective employee than she wouldn’t have been let go. Impressive resume or not, lets start making this person take responsibility for her part in this instead of acting like a highschool student. It sounds like her ego was damaged- nothing more.

    Editor’s note: This comment has been edited.

  • carry

    First of all, in response to Christine’s comment: “this is borderline sexual harassment” I would say that is a very irresponsible and completely unfounded statement/accusation as well as ignorant to what real sexual harassment is. In no way does anything Mr. Weiss did or say amount to sexual harassment. This gallery is a respected and reputable gallery and Ms. Snow has done more damage to her career than she knows by acting immature and unreasonable about this situation. If one is not able to successfully send out an email or shipping order, than they are not at all qualified for such a position and should be let go. Surely working in a Chelsea gallery is no easy feat, but I am sure if she showed promise of being a hard and effective employee than she wouldn’t have been let go. Impressive resume or not, lets start making this person take responsibility for her part in this instead of acting like a highschool student. It sounds like her ego was damaged- nothing more.

    Editor’s note: This comment has been edited.

  • Vik

    Even if this is all true and Mark Weiss made a decision which is simply incomprehensible, the value of this “coverage” is at best at the level of gossip.

  • Vik

    Even if this is all true and Mark Weiss made a decision which is simply incomprehensible, the value of this “coverage” is at best at the level of gossip.

  • Vik

    Even if this is all true and Mark Weiss made a decision which is simply incomprehensible, the value of this “coverage” is at best at the level of gossip.

  • Vik

    Even if this is all true and Mark Weiss made a decision which is simply incomprehensible, the value of this “coverage” is at best at the level of gossip.

  • Vik

    Even if this is all true and Mark Weiss made a decision which is simply incomprehensible, the value of this “coverage” is at best at the level of gossip.

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Mike Weiss sends me an e mail almost every single day. Is that appropriate? No. Is it over the top? Probably. Is this a strange artworld story about a gallerina and an obsessive art dealer? Yes.nnMaybe Meghan can do a piece about this drama. Does it end with a lawsuit? Or a blog post?

  • http://homepage.mac.com/mistahcoughdrop/ MATTHEW ROSE

    Mike Weiss sends me an e mail almost every single day. Is that appropriate? No. Is it over the top? Probably. Is this a strange artworld story about a gallerina and an obsessive art dealer? Yes.\n\nMaybe Meghan can do a piece about this drama. Does it end with a lawsuit? Or a blog post?

  • K-Ration

    A gallery owner being obtuse and sexually suggestive? Who would have guessed? This is like jumping into cold water and being surprised you got wet. For the most amazing hiring practice check out Gerd’s bevy of women at Galerie Eigen + Art. His creepy ads and mailers show him with ‘his’ women. It is really strange. His a-hole status is only the tip of the iceberg. His personality is that of an alpha dog with much hard earned art cash. HUrraY MEN!

    http://cgi.eigen-art.com/user-cgi-bin/index.php?article_id=18&clang=1

  • K-Ration

    A gallery owner being obtuse and sexually suggestive? Who would have guessed? This is like jumping into cold water and being surprised you got wet. For the most amazing hiring practice check out Gerd’s bevy of women at Galerie Eigen + Art. His creepy ads and mailers show him with ‘his’ women. It is really strange. His a-hole status is only the tip of the iceberg. His personality is that of an alpha dog with much hard earned art cash. HUrraY MEN!

    http://cgi.eigen-art.com/user-cgi-bin/index.php?article_id=18&clang=1

  • j

    I installed a few shows for that guy, and I am not surprised. He’s a little creepy man who needs the power trip.The funny thing is, he doesn’t even have an office in that gallery so he just lurks around.

  • j

    I installed a few shows for that guy, and I am not surprised. He’s a little creepy man who needs the power trip.The funny thing is, he doesn’t even have an office in that gallery so he just lurks around.

  • j

    I installed a few shows for that guy, and I am not surprised. He’s a little creepy man who needs the power trip.The funny thing is, he doesn’t even have an office in that gallery so he just lurks around.

  • j

    I installed a few shows for that guy, and I am not surprised. He’s a little creepy man who needs the power trip.The funny thing is, he doesn’t even have an office in that gallery so he just lurks around.

  • juan

    charlie finch once described Mike Weiss as “a frog covered in pubic hair”

  • juan

    charlie finch once described Mike Weiss as “a frog covered in pubic hair”

  • juan

    charlie finch once described Mike Weiss as “a frog covered in pubic hair”

  • juan

    charlie finch once described Mike Weiss as “a frog covered in pubic hair”

  • metropolitan

    you guys got it wrong he didn’t fire her for her outfit but for he lack of bubbliness.
    mike weiss is a douchebag to many, but he’s a hero to me.

  • metropolitan

    you guys got it wrong he didn’t fire her for her outfit but for he lack of bubbliness.
    mike weiss is a douchebag to many, but he’s a hero to me.

  • Soapnana

    I worked for this gallery for eight months and this tooootally took me on a trip down memory lane. I was once chastised for wearing a nice dark denim skirt for an opening. I believe the quote was “Jeans?? You’re wearing jeans to our opening???”

    I graduated with a degree in Art History but vowed never to work in a gallery again.

  • Soapnana

    I worked for this gallery for eight months and this tooootally took me on a trip down memory lane. I was once chastised for wearing a nice dark denim skirt for an opening. I believe the quote was “Jeans?? You’re wearing jeans to our opening???”

    I graduated with a degree in Art History but vowed never to work in a gallery again.

  • francis

    We all know how most of the gallery owners are.Everyone has his own experience. We should create a ” Gallery Assistant Rights act” Im glad this girl had the bravery to tell us about this.
    Although this gallery sucks, glad you are out of there. There was no future in it.

  • francis

    We all know how most of the gallery owners are.Everyone has his own experience. We should create a ” Gallery Assistant Rights act” Im glad this girl had the bravery to tell us about this.
    Although this gallery sucks, glad you are out of there. There was no future in it.

  • Are you kidding me?!

    Okay, I don’t need to read all the comments. While I do sympathize with Meghann, the fact is, people are fired everyday for reasons like this. I was fired from my job, working for a HUGE company, I won’t say the name- for NO REASON. This is one of the biggest companies in the USA. I was fired BY EMAIL. I worked for this company for over 2 years. This has nothing to do with the girl didn’t have enough time to do her job or any of that. Maybe they made a lousy decision hiring her and they just decided to get rid of her. First of all, this girl is not an artist, I’ve seen her stuff. This girl is a joke. GET THE FLICK OVER IT PEOPLE. THIS IS AMERICA. THIS IS THE REAL WORLD. GO CRY YOURSELF TO SLEEP SOMEWHERE ELSE. IT HAPPENED TO ME, AND I’M NOT POSTING IT ON THE NET OR LOOKING TO GO ON NANCY GRACE FOR 15 MINUTES- This is life. It’s called, uh GETTING FIRED!!!!!!!!!!! BOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Note to Meghann….next time your boss tells you to untuck your shirt or redo your hair- QUIT! FREAKING QUIT if it is such a big deal you moron!!!!!

  • http://na Are you kidding me?!

    Okay, I don’t need to read all the comments. While I do sympathize with Meghann, the fact is, people are fired everyday for reasons like this. I was fired from my job, working for a HUGE company, I won’t say the name- for NO REASON. This is one of the biggest companies in the USA. I was fired BY EMAIL. I worked for this company for over 2 years. This has nothing to do with the girl didn’t have enough time to do her job or any of that. Maybe they made a lousy decision hiring her and they just decided to get rid of her. First of all, this girl is not an artist, I’ve seen her stuff. This girl is a joke. GET THE FLICK OVER IT PEOPLE. THIS IS AMERICA. THIS IS THE REAL WORLD. GO CRY YOURSELF TO SLEEP SOMEWHERE ELSE. IT HAPPENED TO ME, AND I’M NOT POSTING IT ON THE NET OR LOOKING TO GO ON NANCY GRACE FOR 15 MINUTES- This is life. It’s called, uh GETTING FIRED!!!!!!!!!!! BOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Note to Meghann….next time your boss tells you to untuck your shirt or redo your hair- QUIT! FREAKING QUIT if it is such a big deal you moron!!!!!

  • ANNOYMOUS

    Professional attire is usually required when interacting with the public. Trendy boots and a tank top show that she is not ready for the professional world. The gallery had the right to fire her due to having a negative attitude, no one likes someone who doesn’t care about theor job. I agree that her art is a joke, throw some trash on a canvas and call it art, HA. Good luck trying to find a job without people skills or decent art.

  • ANNOYMOUS

    Professional attire is usually required when interacting with the public. Trendy boots and a tank top show that she is not ready for the professional world. The gallery had the right to fire her due to having a negative attitude, no one likes someone who doesn’t care about theor job. I agree that her art is a joke, throw some trash on a canvas and call it art, HA. Good luck trying to find a job without people skills or decent art.

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