More than 300 pieces of art were entered into this year’s juried Salon Show exhibition at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster — the 72nd year of the event.
In 1936, 10 Hammond and Calumet City, Ill., artists sponsored the first Salon Show, an art exhibition of the Hammond District Art Association, in the millinery section of E.C. Minas Department Store in downtown Hammond.
“By 1969, the exhibit had grown so large that it required a new site, the Hammond Public Library,” said Laura Cutler, director of exhibitions for South Shore Arts, the organization that is continuing the tradition.
The group that started the first Salon Show incorporated and became the Northern Indiana Arts Association, Cutler said, and in 1970, the 27th annual Salon Show was held at the new Art Center at 5448 Hohman Ave. in Hammond. The Art Center relocated in 1982 to 8317 Calumet Ave. in Munster, and the Center for Visual and Performing Arts became its yearly home starting in 1989, she said.
A seven-year gap in the event reflected a hiatus for the show.
Of the 300 pieces entered this year, 77 were chosen for the gallery display, with 22 of the top pieces receiving monetary awards totaling $10,000.
This year’s juror was Brian Byrn of Chicago. Byrn has served as curator of exhibitions and education for the Midwest Museum of American Art in Elkhart.
Since retiring five years ago, Richard and Marilyn Longameir of Chicago go to many art shows and gallery openings. They were among those attending this year’s 72nd Salon Show.
“We never knew there was such an interesting art presence in Northwest Indiana until friends mentioned programs of the South Shore Arts,” Marilyn Longameir said. “Now, we never miss this particular show and we’re here at the gallery at least once a month to see what other artists are up to.”
Hanging the winning entries in the gallery in a beautiful way is a huge endeavor but also a labor of love, according to Cutler.
“The work is diverse each year and it’s a challenge to hang a variety of styles together to create a cohesive show that reflects each work in it’s best light, while also engaging the viewer,” Cutler said. “But presenting the award money to the artists — knowing that it will help them to continue to make their work — and having this year’s work for the seven weeks it is on display makes this very enjoyable for me.”
The Helen V. Surovek Memorial Award was this year’s top prize award at $2,000. This winner in that category was Bonnie Zimmer of Rensselaer for her fiber sculpture “Vessel for Dad.” Other artists from across the region earned prizes ranging from $1,500 to $100.
Art from the 72nd annual Salon Show will be on display through Nov. 1.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Information: 219-836-1839 or www.southshoreartsonline.org
If you go
What: South Shore Arts 72th Annual Salon Show
Where: Gallery in the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster
