The ArtSalon is closing its doors after 11 years of presenting Art Salons around the Pioneer Valley. Over 200 artists have presented their work in the Pecha Kucha (pronounced peh-chak-cha) style format, engaging audiences and artists in a dynamic series that highlighted creativity, artistic practice, and finished work.

We wish to thank all the presenting artists, the many venues around the Pioneer Valley that hosted the ArtSalons, members of our steering committee over the 11 years, and all of our attendees who made many trips around the Valley to engage in conversations about art and creativity and support the vitality of visual arts in Western Massachusetts.

From present and past committee members and coordinators:

The ArtSalon was a pleasure throughout its changes from the exclusive events at the UMass chancellor’s house, to the salons that hopped around the valley and incorporated artists from those towns. Local artists and art lovers appreciated the exposure.
—Betsy Stone

I loved the community the Art Salon fostered. At each event I saw friends and colleagues, learned about incredible new artists, and always left invigorated and inspired. For the past few years I was honored to serve on the organizing committee with a group of dedicated volunteers who made the series possible. Throughout its existence, the ArtSalon celebrated hundreds of our regions’ working artists, even through the pandemic. It will be missed but warmly remembered.
—Amanda Herman

Being part of the ArtSalon over the past 9 years has been an honor. I witnessed so much generosity and kinship between the artists and the community. It was a privilege to hear about each artist’s studio practice and work, and to listen to thoughtful questions from audience participants. The ArtSalon was such a valuable platform to share art and ideas of artists from all over western Massachusetts. May its legacy be an inspiration for another form of arts outreach to emerge.
—Donnabelle Casis

The Art Salon has put so many artists in the limelight, myself included. As creators we must continue supporting and cultivating one another just as the Art Salon has done. I want to thank everyone big and small who have supported or attended the previous Art Salon events. My hope is that out of the ashes, a new phoenix will arise then carry out the vision for future generations of artists to come.
—Kahli Hernandez

A heartfelt thanks to Sabine Holub, wife of Chancellor Holub, who had the idea of showcasing and supporting local artists. Later, with the UMass umbilical cord cut, many more people were able to enjoy the extraordinary artistic wealth in our Valley. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with, presented, and fostered exceptional artists – and to have observed the shifting of creative expressions in response to the cultural, political, and societal stimuli of our era.
—Eva Fierst

I have been with the ArtSalon for all 11 years of its existence after the Hillside Salon. It has been an amazing journey, all over the Pioneer Valley, engaging so many talented artists and and providing a platform for them to share their work with the community. I feel honored to have been part of it and so grateful to all the members of the committees for their interest, labor and devotion. Thank you to all!
—Lisa Thompson

As we close out eleven incredible years of the Art Salon artist lecture series, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of this journey—our brilliant artists, engaged audiences, dedicated organizers, and generous supporters. This series has been a space for meaningful dialogue, inspiration, and the sharing of artistic practices that have enriched our creative community in immeasurable ways. Over the past decade, Art Salon has fostered connections, sparked ideas, and provided a platform for both emerging and established voices, leaving a lasting impact on all who participated. While this chapter comes to a close, the conversations and relationships built here will continue to resonate. Thank you for your passion, curiosity, and commitment to the arts—this milestone would not have been possible without you.
—Raishad J Glover

Assisting the ArtSalon as coordinator early on, and helping with the website since, has been a wonderful experience. I’ve loved working with a great committee and meeting so many fascinating artists and learning about their processes, and so much delight seeing young and emerging artists soar. Thank you, artists! You enrich our lives (and the world) with your work, and your talents and passion for your craft made every ArtSalon a brilliant event.
—Bronwen Hodgkinson