Five Tips for Hosting an Art Salon

 We have hosted many art salons over the years. These have always been a little funkier than the slick salons posted on-line with women in pencil-thin dresses in vast New York lofts, and I don't think Gertrude Stein would see much similarity with her Parisian salons. Ours have always been held at our home with any and everyone on my mailing list invited for an evening of sharing what they've done creatively. 

My favorite salon story concerns a dear friend who bought a new date to our salon, and when their turn came to share, we pushed aside the dining room table, and they danced a sultry tango to a recorded song. At the end of the evening, his date shyly asked to buy a romantic painting of a dancing couple, and a year later, another of my dance paintings was on their wedding program.

Last Sunday evening we hosted our first post-Covid art salon. Unlike our gatherings from 4 or 5 years ago when the house was bursting at the seams, this one was a sedate 13 people, but everyone here seemed to realize how wonderful it was to be together and sharing after years of isolation.

As an artist, I increasingly feel that relationships are as valuable or more so than art objects. Art is a precious way to bring people together. Our world right now is so thirsty for connection and a chance to embrace creativity.

If you are interested in hosting an art salon, here are a few how-to's:

• Cast your net widely--make repeated invitations on Instagram and Facebook and even send out postcards as well as personal invitations to friends. Explain that everyone is welcome to bring food to share as well as a song or poem or story or visual art piece or dance to share. Request RSVP's by a deadline a few days prior, but hold that lightly and welcome everyone.
• Start with a potluck dinner so people can get acquainted.
• Gather and give each person a chance for a brief introduction, noting who has something that they've created. Explain that after introductions, you will set a timer for maybe 10 minutes per person who has brought something to share. If the group is larger that 15 people, split it into two smaller groups, if you have an extra room available.
• If there's time, let people ask questions or make comments after each creative has shared. Applaud each participant!
• Have a mingling/networking time at the end. Keep your feelers out for people who feel ready for more community, who might want to be in a new critique or writer's group. My latest Get Out the Art Group spun off from a couple of salons.