'The Salon des Independents' art exhibition in 19th Century style set for April 4-8

Lipscomb University's Department of Art and Art Student Association is hosting "The Salon des Independents," a different twist for their usual annual student art exhibition.  The shows run at the university from April 4-8. The students chose this year's theme to be based in the 19_th Century style as a way of celebrating the individuality of art, just as the Realists, Impressionists, and Post-Impressionists did in that century, according to Laura Lake Smith, chair of the Department of Art at Lipscomb.

Working toward creating a type of exhibition space one would find during that time, the Salon will take place on the university's Quad, on the

"Visitors of the exhibition will find many artistic styles in this show, which is characteristic of similar exhibitions that would take place during the 19th Century in Paris," Smith said. "Salons were government exhibitions and the place that every artist wanted his or her work to be shown.  However, not all artists were always accepted into these government sponsored exhibitions.  Thus, those not accepted set out to create their own places of showing art in order to display more individualized works.  The students are hoping to embody this celebration of individuality in this display in April."

The event is free and open to the public. Everyone is invited to attend.

The Salon's opening reception will be at 7 p.m. on April 4. The exhibition will be open daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., April 5-7 and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sat., April 8. During the exhibition, works of art will be available for sale. Plaza Artist Materials and Picture Framing are sponsors of the event.

Through this Salon, the Art Student Association hopes to become more visible in and involved with the Nashville community while improving student and community awareness of the arts. 

"The 'Salon des Independents' is the perfect opportunity for the ASA to accomplish its goals," said Anna Britt, president of ASA. "The exhibition will provide the entire student body with a place to showcase their work.  We have talented people who are not art majors or minors but will still be able to participate. That is what this exhibition is all about."

In keeping with 19th Century themes, the students are choosing and creating art for the show that means something to them personally without worrying only about what viewers may want to see.

"This idea harkens back to the time that artists began to stop creating solely for the public and began creating more for themselves and expressing their personal visions," Smith said. "Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, and Cezanne are just a few of the artists who did this very thing and we now see them as 'masters.'  This personal choice continues in creating art and is the basis of our global art market."

Also showcased at the Salon will be artwork of students at Nashville's Youth Encouragement Services. The ASA has been working with the students to teach art techniques, keeping some of the art to use in the exhibition.

For more information, call 615.279.6044.