Apply to the Salon
Participant Application and Guidelines
Salon is a gathering of skillful, like-minded individuals who come together to share
techniques and ideas around the traditional craft of decorative paintwork.  Salon
Participants are professional decorative artists working at the highest levels of skill in
this specialized trade. 
Acceptance to the Salon is juried by a committee of the Board, made up of previous
Salon hosts.
 
A Participant will exhibit and demonstrate.
The public arena is intended to inspire and educate.  It is not a venue to promote
oneself or commercial interests.  Salon is NOT an art show or a trade expo.   
If you are invited to participate come prepared for these important aspects of Salon.
 
1.  How to Apply to the Salon:  If you wish to participate in a future Salon, 
contact the next host Heidi Zilmer, preferably by email: Heidi@zilmers.com
See our website at SalonForever.net for information about the next gathering.
Include a brief biographical statement of your professional experience as a decorative
artist, and at least three example images of your work, along with website or other links
for more information.  
If approved by the committee, you will be invited to create an exhibition panel.
Your first exhibition panel is also part of the application,  and you will need to
send detailed photos of the actual finished piece you wish to exhibit for review, in
advance the deadline set by the host.

2.  What to paint:  Your exhibition panel should display your mastery of
technique.  It must be a finished piece, of your best, most confident work. 
The Salon Horsens theme is Nordic Mythology which may inspire your painting.
For Salon Horsens the maximum size exhibition max panel size will be updated. 
If your piece requires special space or a different orientation, contact the host well in
advance.
 
3.  What to demonstrate:  Plan to demonstrate something of your particular
expertise, and bring an appropriate substrate and any special materials you will need for
it (this does not need to be the same as your exhibit panel.)  Bring your own favorite
brushes and tools to use.  You will be demonstrating concurrently with other
participants, in an informal setting.   Be prepared to answer questions about your
techniques or tools, and share your knowledge with other participants and visiting
students.  
You should also allow yourself time to observe other artists, participate in discussions, or
work on the group mural or other group project. 
 
4.  Approval process: New participants will need to be approved by the Board in
order to be invited to future Salon events.  
Shortly after the Salon, the Host will contact you about your application. 
If your exhibition panel does not portray the expected skill level of a Salon participant, 
the Board may request you resubmit for a following year.   Try not to be worried by this,
as often painters need to attend a Salon or two in order to fully understand it.
 
I strongly encourage anyone interested in Salon to visit the event,
or attend as a guest at least once prior to applying to participate.  
Heidi Zilmer, host, 2025 
 
Decorative Painting Techniques 
Types of work found at the Salon
Examples of Salon participants work are in the slide show at the bottom of the page  
 
Imitation finishes:  Faux bois et faux marbre - Wood Graining and  Marbling
Grisaille  |  Trompe L’oeil  | Chantourné  | Quadratura | Clair-Obscur  |  Velum and Drapery
techniques | Anamorphosis   |  Scenic work & cloud ceilings  |  Painted Furniture, Objects, &
Instruments  |  Painted Illustration  |  Calligraphy and Illumination  |  Heraldry  |  Church decoration 
|  Painted Ornament  |  Grottesca  |  Gilding,  Pastiglia, and Sgraffito  |  Sign Writing  |  Drawn and
Painted lettering  |  Traditional Sign Glasswork: etching, gilding, and painting  |  Verre Églomisé  | 
Fresco Painting   |  Murals  |  Large-scale street art  |  Fairground Art 
 
Keep up with the Salon via INSTAGRAM 
@decorativepaintingsalon

For more information visit the official Salon webpage: www.salonforever.net