art associate

art auctioneer

speaker

art consultant

brand ambassador

Park West Gallery

Zero accountability, zero cooperation, zero respect for work ethic:

The Ship Hep Desk training was aweful, as the instructor would get off being easily upset, and therefore 'entitled' to be alienating to people that asked her to speak louder, to provide specific examples, to go over technical aspects of trouble-shooting, as the instructor just wanted to do the bare minimum, point out steps to follow one after the other with no opportunity to ask questions, or take notes.  The instructor would get off being extremely passive aggressive, and would just say very annoyed "uh sure", or "fine if you want to" while I was asking how-to questions, trying to followup on instructions, but since it was too much of an inconvenience to the instructor, she was 'entitled' to act upset and dismissive.

    Having a panic attack is the I.T. manager's normal mode of behavior.  She will tell you that you are doing fine every day, then she will suddenly avoid eye contact and acknowledgement towards anyone that she received negative feedback on -like sending me to an end-user's desk with no training on how things are run in-house, so just for something like installing Adobe Acrobat has it's own caveats at this unorganized company.  I told the manager of the depart that the support ticket was supposed to be handled by another tech, but she didnt want to wait.  Calling the manager and the other tech for help was a waste of time, as they never bothered to answer their phones.  This is a terrible situation, and I was left hanging, so it is a lie when the Park West I.T. department tells you that they are there for you, and that they believe in "team work" and "cooperation".

    The I.T. manager, and her boss have no idea how to communicate efficiently and effectively.  She wants to have this "stand-up"meeting every day, which she is always late for, and when she shows up she has no idea where to have the meeting every day so you have to walk around with her finding a place everyone can stand..., you are not allowed to sit since it is supposed to be only fifteen minutes long, but it always lasts longer taking up more time in your day, and there is nothing that has to do with solving or improving anything during this useless daily 'stand-up'meeting.

    The Ship Help Desk team is great for Social Justice Warriors, and for people that are get off being soft spoken so they can isolate what they are saying from others in their same team, extremely passive aggressive, lazy, dismissive towards any other co-worker that does not fit your 'entitled' safe space.

I traveled to over 50 countries as a Fine Art Auctioneer, and I saw countless places that I would never, in a lifetime, be able to visit.

And I made a lot of money doing it.

Besides the travel and the compensation, I think the best think about this job is that you really learn how to run a small business. This was a great way for me to combine my entertainment background and business acumen, and to grow professionally in a way that I think would really take years somewhere else.

I have definitely developed a confidence in my abilities that never existed before.

And I can tell you, there is nothing like being on stage in front of 300+ people calling a live art auction. It's almost like being a rock star. Seriously.

I've also really learned to appreciate the visual arts much more now, have amassed an incredible amount of knowledge, become fascinated with art history, and have really enjoyed seeing just how excited my clients get when they tell me about the artwork they've collected. It's great knowing that I'm actually getting paid to help educate people, and to help them have a great time collecting something they already enjoy from a company they love.

I also used to play competitive basketball in college, and if you would have told me I would end up doing this, I would have called you crazy. I was not an arts person, at all. Now, my friends call me a walking encyclopedia of Art History! I've found that this opportunity has allowed me to maintain a competitive, entrepreneurial spirit while also really immersing myself in The Arts - something I've grown to appreciate and love on a personal level.

Oh - and the training was unbelievable as well. I feel like they could charge for the training (which, of course they don't) because it was THAT GOOD. The training was quite difficult, but I learned more there than I think I did in 4 years of college, and I'm not the only one that came out of training thinking the same thing.

It really is one of those jobs where the more you put into it, the more you get out of it, and there are many facets to that. This job isn't for someone who is lazy or is just happy clocking in and out - it's for someone who wants, and has the determination, to make something for themselves. I saw the world, I was paid well, and I experienced a level of personal a professional growth that has put me far ahead of the game - especially at this age in my life.

once you make it past training. Not everyone makes it. 
a typical day will depend on the ship you are on an the Team you are with. 
Meeting in the morning. Followed by Gallery hours. then you have to do marketing or inventory for the next Auction. Auction only happens during sea days majority of the time. If no events are happening, you might get the evening free for a couple of hours until you are due back for inventory and rearrangement of art pieces at gallery. Depending on your team Manager, (auctioneer) is what your day will look like overall..

Management is very responsible and responsive to your needs. They won't always accommodate your complains because they will rank them from most to least important. They have over 100 cruise ships they manage and will rank your urgent matter based on other employees urgent matters. So be patient when requesting for something of urgency. Management outside the ship is overall very good and hardworking. Now on the ship, is a different story.  The auctioneer is the Manager, and he will do as he pleases, he might even lie to make sure you never join his team or the company again. specially if you are not making any sales. 

The hardest part of the job for me at that time, was my immaturity level. I was emotionally weak and lack commitment. I found the hours to be long, and the constant movement of the ship caused me to tire quicker than usual. Also the Micromanagement of my Manager on board was difficult to deal with. He never worked with us only showing up during Auction days. He expected everything to go according to plan and lost it when things didn't. Example, when I was unable to find a painting that he wanted to place as part of the Auction. I spend hours looking for it, and because I was new I didn't have sense of direction of where to look. This drove him crazy and would never give me slack. He always complained about everything, and that gets annoying quick. Other than that it was my lack of emotional immaturity that ruin the opportunity for me. 

The most enjoyable part was traveling to different countries and making new friends from all over the world. Exploring when possible, and learning a lot about Sales and other entrepreneurial skills.

I began working at Park West in 2015. I was referred by a friend and went through the interview process. It all seemed surreal! Could it be true? Such an enormous salary to travel the world and help collectors choose their favorite artwork? I decided to risk it! After spending 3 weeks of hard work at the books, my presentations were ready and so was I for the training class in Miami. I wasn't sure what to expect but when I arrived in Miami I was met with smiles and support. A lot of others too who were in my same situation. They explained to us that nerves were normal and they began grooming us to be art expects. Even though most of us had no art experience at all, they explained that as long as we had learned the presentations we were given, they would teach us the rest during class and once we hit the ships! They paid for our flights and evenly distributed the class of 100 people around the world. Since then life has been a whirlwind of excitement! I come from South Africa and with the exchange rate I have managed to save enough to purchase 3 houses already and am busy buying my 4th. I worked my way up to Auctioneer within the first year (early second contract) proving that with hard work and dedication, its possible  to grow quickly. My favorite thing about the company is that when you are ready to be promoted, you will be. They do not hold you back, they want you to succeed. The management team is always there for you to guide and support you too. I have no idea how many countries I have visited as sometimes its a new country each day but I'll estimate 50 plus and most of them I'm been to uncountable times. Working on ships is an adventure in itself and is perfect for someone with sales skills, public speaking talent or just ambition. All the best things in life take a big step but "If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done".

Working on a cruise ship is challenging no matter the department you choose, working long hours, being stuck inside and being away from family can be very tough - especially for an extended period of time. With this in mind, if you decide to work onboard you need to make sure you have a job which allows the benefits of working onboard to outweigh the hardship.

Park West Gallery allows this and some. Firstly, they are flexible with the length of your contract which not many companies onboard are and this will allow you to cater your work experience to events at home. The rest of the benefits vary from ship to ship and the itinerary which you are doing but you are able to get off and enjoy the ports very often, you have a lot of free time but most importantly this job makes you grow as a human. It forces you out of your comfort zone and allows you to reach new heights which you never expected whether that be in sales, communication, public speaking, art knowledge, world knowledge and a whole lot more. On top of this there is great opportunity for you to grow in the company and they allow you to climb the ladder of success at a pace  you're comfortable with so you never think you're being under-used. 

Ive been working onboard for 4 years now and I made the switch to Park West a year and a half ago. No job is perfect, no work place is perfect but I wouldn't change my decision to switch department for the world. It has been the best experience of my life, meeting some of my best friends here onboard. 

Cruise life is a big decision, there's a lot to think about but if you decide to do it then Park West is a tremendous opportunity. However, it is not a walk in the park (no pun intended). You will work harder than you ever had before but the benefits are life changing.

A typical day can range between 5-15hours
You engage with hundreds of guests onboard a cruise ship in order to sell art and drive attendance to the art auctions. 

Park West teaches invaluable sales techniques during training to prepare their employees.
The company encourages their employees to take responsibility for their own success by giving  a myriad of resources for learning and an excellent list of books to read. 
Management is required to train their employees on sales during their 5-6month assignments so one is able to level up quickly and be promoted depending on how much YOU put in.

The position has helped me gain self-confidence and courage by practicing public speaking and constantly engaging with strangers. The sales world hold value across many fields, so I believe it is an incredible advantage to anyone to work in this environment. Additionally, I am extremely grateful for all of the knowledge I have acquired on art history, as well as on the artist represented by the gallery, it’s truly inspiring.

What one should consider;

1.The salary includes an acceptable base pay plus unpredictable commission, the total per month can range quite a bit so a stable flow of money is not guaranteed.
 
2.After the contract ends, the unpaid break could be longer than expected so one should be fairly good at one’s personal finance management.

3. It takes an extra amount of effort to live on a ship and be there for loved ones who live on the other side of the world.

A typical day as an Art Associate at Park West Gallery is dynamic and fast-paced. It often involves preparing for auctions, engaging with clients, and handling various artworks. You spend time learning about the pieces, setting up displays, and promoting sales. The job requires flexibility, as tasks can vary greatly depending on the day's events.

In this role, you learn extensively about the art world, including different artists, styles, and market trends. You also develop valuable sales skills, learning how to engage with clients, pitch artworks, and close deals.

Management at Park West Gallery is supportive, providing thorough training and development opportunities. They are invested in helping employees succeed, though the high expectations can be demanding.

The workplace culture is vibrant and energetic, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. The environment is competitive but also rewarding, as colleagues share a passion for art and sales.

The hardest part of the job is coping with the high-pressure environment and the irregular hours, especially during auction periods. Frequent travel can also be challenging for those who prefer a more stable routine.

The most enjoyable part is the thrill of auctions and the opportunity to interact with a diverse range of clients and artworks. The satisfaction of closing a sale and sharing your passion for art with others makes the role truly fulfilling.

1.Meeting clients from all walks of life and all from all over the world is a great opportunity and experience, building good report and getting them interested and exited about the art auctions and events.

2.Since i have joined the company I have grown immensely, as a art dealer, Salesman and mostly as a person, there is no better feeling than learning new sales techniques at training or through own study and implementing them and they work.

3.World class management shore side and abroad, learning all diffident aspect of managing a team and business.

4.On board our ship CEL Equinox we have a amazing workplace culture and environment.

5. The hardest part of the job, when you have slow cruises and you put in the same amount of effort and preparation if not more as your great and record cruises.

6. The best part is when the plan comes together everybody in the team works like a well oiled machine, we know each others weaknesses and strengths to such a degree that we know exactly whom will be the best fit with which clients and that allows us to maximize invoices and hit top goal or better that boosts moral on any team, and we give our clients the best collecting experience possible. Another great feeling is when clients come up after auctions and check out to compliment the team on our performance and professionalism especially from seasoned collectors.

As a summary I will recommend PWG to everybody as you get a opportunity to work for a world class company and one of the largest galleries in the world, and the training alone is world class and priceless. I'm proud to be part of the Park West team.

There is definitely room for improvement here. The coworkers and bosses are all very friendly, and they do host things like food trucks and holiday parties, in addition to giving appropriate bonuses and raises. HOWEVER, in all other regards the company is very inflexible. It is hard to get PTO approved in any less than a month, and they are not transparent about it all; they straight out refuse to tell you how much you have accumulated. I had a prior coworker who left due to unpaid maternity leave (which I have not had to deal with but was not too surprised to learn considering their extremely expensive health insurance plans), and another who left because she was not granted the ability to briefly work from home after finding out her relative had cancer and wanting to go help take care of her, even though our entire job is possible to perform remotely. The work itself is relatively fine, however last minute high intensity workloads are delivered at what I consider a highly unreasonable frequency, usually based on the CEO, his family, and a select hierarchy of auctioneer and staff's travel plans or plain old lack of communication, and expected to be done thanklessly. During my reviews, I have mentioned the poor communication from upper management and other employees/departments, and have simply been told "that's just how it is here." Park West may act like they care about employee happiness, but there is a lot of reform that needs to be done to mitigate unnecessary work stress and show us that they care about our wellbeing.

Client Service Representative

There is no employee handbook, so they will make up rules daily and implement them and if you bring up a handbook they will pull you to the side and try and coax you into believing you don't need it. There is one woman in HR and I believe they just randomly gave her the job. The department is like high school, and that can be looked past, if you weren't consistently lied to. When you interview, they advise and advertise as flexible scheduling, but that is a lie. They give you set schedule of 11-8 or 10-7, M-F alternating Saturdays. They say when you work Sat, you get a weekday off. This is untrue. You will work M-Sat and they call mandatory OT almost every week. So you'll work that full schedule, then have to work more. When I interviewed, they told me they will work around my school schedule. A lie. I had to literally quit for them to recognize that I was a person. They just want you to lie and overwork yourself. That's the literal job. Their systems were "down" and they told us not to come in...they told us everyday for a week not to come in, and myself and a few others were asking about pay, as this was not our faults. 

The DIRECTOR of client services, a vile and vicious woman (but not worse than the owner), never answered our inquiries. When more people began to speak out about it, she called each of us and fired us. She advised it was under the premise of Covid-19, and that no they would not be paying us for their system failures. 

DO NOT WORK HERE. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU. AT ALL.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Art associate 1 salary reported	$1,000 per week
Art auctioneer 2 salaries reported	$1,000 per week
Speaker 10 salaries reported	$55,000 per year
Art consultant 1 salary reported	$3,658 per month
Brand ambassador 6 salaries reported	$55,000 per year

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