The Salon of Fine Arts strives to develop community and creative spaces for student artists, innovative creatives to collaborate

By Sophia Bock

Aspiring writers, readers, and creatives, look to Railroad Square on Friday, Jan. 26, for inspiration.

Florida State University English-Creative writing undergraduate Hope Fell recently founded the Salon of Fine Arts, a collaborative space for aspiring artists. Fell and the other members of SoFA have been working on exciting events, with the first one of 2024 taking place at 621 Gallery in the form of a Literature Salon.

Fell says the primary goal of the evening is to gather as a group and to create connections within Tallahassee’s arts community. She and her peers—Ashe Cendere, Chloe Dowler, and Aidan Little—have revived and transformed the idea of the salon, which has a long-standing tradition, into an abundant resource for students looking for like-minded individuals to discuss opportunities in the literary world.

Today, the idea of a salon might inspire images of getting your hair cut or nails done. Throughout history, however, salons were formed to create discourse and dialogue on multiple issues, some that were considered taboo among the public.

Even as the terminology has changed with time, the environment still emulates a place where people can chat and share information. Whereas the hairdresser and client create a connection with candid and intimate discussions, Fell’s Literature Salon replicates that type of relationship through its events and opportunities.

As the SoFA website states, their salons will provide a space, “where students in Tallahassee can engage in the same enlightened thinking as their predecessors.”

This month’s salon features activities such as a Creative Circle, a presentation and Q&A from Jeff VanderMeer, and a Wonder Workshop. The event, scheduled from 6-7:45 p.m., is open to anyone interested and is completely free.

VanderMeer is a New York Times best-selling author, and his book Annihilation won the Nebula Award and Shirley Jackson Award and was made into a movie by Paramount. At the salon, he is offering attendees his top tips on the writing process, which Fell emphasizes is the first time he has his expertise for an event like this one. She is excited to offer this exclusive opportunity, one she says that any aspiring writer won't want to miss.

If participants are attending as a writer or an aspiring writer, the organizers encourage them to bring unfinished written works for the Wonder Workshop. SoFA has partnered with the editors of The Kudzu Review, FSU’s official undergraduate literary magazine, and they will be present at the event to give real-time feedback on works in progress. Those who are interested can submit up to 16 pages early or bring what you have to the event.

The Salon of Fine Arts website and Instagram account, @sofa.tlh, frequently post opportunities for writers, and the website contains pages that encourage connection and offer inspiration. One spotlight feature on the website is the “Collab Compass.” As the name implies, this feature works like a compass guiding participants toward similarly minded creatives. Those interested can fill out a short form specifying their craft of interest and what they’re looking for in a collaborative partner.

Fell says she and her fellow SoFA members are excited to host this inaugural SoFA Literature Salon. She sees this an amazing opportunity to bring together the creative community.

Don’t fret if you can’t attend this month's Literature Salon, though. Future salons are scheduled for the last Friday of every month through April at the same place and time, Railroad Square’s 621 Gallery from 6-7:45 p.m.

Sophia Bock is an English Major on the editing, writing, and media track, with a minor in anthropology.

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