Opening Night: Memphis Art Salon's ART SPEAKS: Visual Poetry & Art Inspired by Words Exhibition

Yet another Bucket List Checkity-Check!

Howdy, friends!

Please refer back to my last post to find out more about my preparations for this current bucket list check of having my art hanging in a local art gallery. What a grand opening night event it was! I will admit that I hassled myself greatly for not getting this post done, dusted, and out to the masses at the beginning of the week, as planned. With just over a hundred days before we launch back out onto the open road, there is much happening and also much time needed for a well-deserved rest. Since I was slow to listen, my body has been quick to remind me that I cannot, in fact, do it all.

My plan has to been to craft a paper airplane covered with doodles to tell the tale, or least make a sweet post with some embedded galleries that will deem it far too large for email but just long enough to share the experience. Since a picture tells a thousand words and I am both word-y and picture-y, I am going to lean towards the photographs. Oh, how the lights did glow on that opening eve!

Memphis Art Salon's ART SPEAKS: Visual Poetry & Art Inspired by Words Exhibition is happening now through May 31st, 2025. Memphis Art Salon is located in the historic Minglewood Plaza building, 1557 Madison Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. You can see many more photos of the Minglewood Plaza building in my last post about being included a one of thirty-plus featured artists participating in this event.

Dan snapped a quick photo of me minus my hat, and one of my little sacred spot on the wall before the crowds got thick. Thereafter we basked in these moments in separate rooms of the gallery, coming together now and then as I swept through to say hey and offer him a wee plate of canapes.

We artists lurked around our little spots on the wall and offered up conversation and commentary about our individual pieces or collections. How cool to see people tip heads, chins resting on fists, to consider our processes and motivations. How amazing to feel the sense of comradery that flickered like sparks of light throughout each room in the gallery.

How amusing to hear as many compliments about my royal purple duds as my assembled art collection. I will have to state for those who may not know that purple RULES. ‘Nuff said. I love that I had everything in my closet already to pull off this truly Brenda ensemble. Of course I did.

What is Memphis Art Salon, you ask? According to the description on their website, Memphis Art Salon is a non-profit artist collective and event venue. They have provided a space where local artists from all walks of life get the chance to refine their vision to create works to be showcased via a personalized display in a relaxed, inclusive, and welcoming environment. In this cozy venue, everyone gets a spot on the gallery wall and a chance to speak in front of a crowd about what inspired them to create their work or works that have been included in the Art Speaks exhibition.

With an estimated crowd of 100-plus attendees on opening night, it was difficult to find a chance to snap a picture without a big crowd as foreground or backdrop. What a blessing, though, to have such a large outpouring of support! One felt that a large percentage of the crowd included supportive friends and family members, which brought a special vibe to the experience.

Arriving early, we explored Minglewood Hall itself, enjoying conversation with a sound man and watching a flurry of activity as they set up for an event happening that evening.

Whitney Rhodes, a fellow artist with beautiful digital art pieces on display at this event, kept me company and helped me with a few details as this was not her first gallery opening night experience. I really enjoyed being kitty-corner wall-mates with Whitney!

Dan either volunteered or was recruited (and happily accepted, I am sure) to be one of three bartenders who kept folks supplied with witty repertoire and their choice of open bar libations. We were both in our element that night, for sure.

If you are in the Memphis area, subscribe to Memphis Art Salon’s newsletter or follow them on Facebook to keep abreast of events happening during the remainder of this exhibition. The Public (St. Louis), Mothcat, & Movie Nite at the Memphis Art Salon will be happening Friday, April 18th. You can find Dan and I there if you are out and about.

The gallery will be open, so stop by, wander through, and say hi if you see us! Wrapping this up like a chocolate bunny in cellophane, I will offer a Happy Easter to those who celebrate, adding a giant-sized thank you again to ALL for being part of our nomadic journey!

Peeps and peanut butter pie (save me some),

Brenda Cordray

The Desert Rose