The Return of my Aunt’s Salon
At Rupture, we support artists in evolving their practice, away from the pressures of "getting signed" or "selling work." It is essential work, a place where artists of all kinds are meeting collaborators, inspiring each other, and pulling each other up. I'm incredibly proud and very glad we are still standing.
We celebrate this journey with a massive Open Studio Salon once a quarter. We invite an artist with an established practice to take over our 360 sq ft shop front studio, and support them as they use the time to push their practice. They don't have to complete work, they can keep the curtains closed and work in private if they like. The only requirement is an artist's talk and to participate in the Open Studio Salon at the end of their stay.
Needless to say, all of our artists have gone above and beyond, hosting open days, workshops, showing finished work and work in progress, and really investing back in our art loving community.
The idea of the Salon is one I have always been passionate about, ever since I was very young. My Aunt, nicknamed Auntie Wiz (my big sister couldn't say Liz, so everyone called her Wiz - and she was a Whiz for sure!), opened her home every Sunday to artists, friends, neighbours, family, playwrights, poets, painters, philosophers and musicians. She had a painting studio in her home, and these long, lazy Sunday afternoons stretched late into the evening. The happiest memories of my childhood were these Sundays at Auntie Wiz's Salon in Laguna Beach, California.
In honour of her memory, of the safe space she made for us all, of the encouraging, non-hierarchical community of thinkers and creatives she nurtured, we have hosted Open Studio Salons since June of 2021. You'll find live jazz, drinks, work in progress, artists, writers, thinkers of all kinds here - Ruptureists at play, if you will.