What is a Salon?
Our salons are inspired by those of the French Enlightenment, where salonnières transformed the living room into a university leaning into the power of networked knowledge, as facilitated by the artist, the philosopher and the person of letters.
Structured as 1-3 hour immersive and participatory gatherings, the salons unlock the power of communities in conversation to co-create roadmaps of experiential learning. The salon experience mimics a cohort-based course (CBC)- where the content and community inform the curriculum, distinct to each salon.
Each salon begins with a ritualized opening- typically guided by the host artist- that sets the tone of the space to one that is welcoming and safe. Then, the artist-as-teacher provides a glimpse into their process, leading the salon participants through exercises or techniques they use to unlock innate creativity. From there, participants are encouraged to reflect upon their experience with the group utilizing various modalities (i.e free-writing, movement, theatrical expression). In this way, the salon becomes a gateway for personal and collective self-discovery and expression.
Explore our past salons and series HERE.
Pictured: Salon audience at “Instrumental Voice”. Jersey City, NJ. October 2018. Photo by audience member.
Pictured: Ben Figeuroa & Rashaad Wright performing at “Common Currency”. Jersey City, NJ. March 2020. Photo by John Cartier.
SALON HISTORY
See the evolution of the salon and salon series.
Who We’re For
The salon experience is ideal for those who are invested in their journey of self-discovery and yearning to unlock creative self-expression in a safe communal environment.
We deliberately work to unblock the myth that creative expression is limited to those in artistic profession. SFL is especially excited to welcome those without formal artistic training.
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“A room filled with so many experiences. An openness, permission to just play without a worry of a result and a safe space that finds a way to give a variety of voices all a chance to be heard. This is how art should be created, and conversations started.”
Ashley Adelman - Founder of Infinite Variety Productions, Director, Martial Artist