Once a month, a collection of artists, musicians, philanthropists and thought leaders gather at the historic Talmadge building in Los Angeles to exchange ideas and support The Art of Elysium’s raison d’etre: Art heals. 

From the earliest days of the Charity’s founding, Founder and CEO Jennifer Howell and her dedicated team have turned to the Salon to build artistic community and spread their mission. Beginning 25 years ago with live music and jam sessions and branching out into Art and Comedy shows, the gatherings evolved into The Art Salon series in 2014. Held as an artistic sanctuary, the Salon Series supports the Charity’s programs by building out their community of volunteers and supporters, while hosting the communities the organization serves. 

The concept of the "art salon" has its origins in the elegant drawing rooms of Paris during the 17th and 18th centuries. These salons were gatherings where people of influence and intellect would convene to discuss ideas, literature, and art. The term "salon" itself comes from the French word for "reception room."

Debuting on the world stage in the 1600s in France courtesy of the Marquess de Rambouillet, the first salons were fertile ground for intellectual conversation, featuring works from authors and artists alongside spirited analysis of the creative works. These events are credited with ushering in the Enlightenment, based upon a core belief that all members of the salon were considered equal and challenging cultural mores. Beginning in 1667, the Art Academy of Paris began hosting their own Salons, broadening the reach from their intimate beginnings to create the premiere art event in Europe at the time. 

The art salon became particularly influential during the period known as the Enlightenment. It was in these gatherings that artists found patrons, critics, and a curious public. The most famous of these was the "Salon de Paris," officially called the "Salon de la Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture," which began in 1667. It was the official art exhibition of the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in Paris and became an annual, juried art show in 1737. This institution set the standards for what constituted worthy art, and being accepted into the Salon was a significant recognition for any artist.

By the 1800s, artists began to host satellite exhibitions, often featuring work that had been rejected by the now establishment-driven Salons; independent events such as the Cooperative and Anonymous Association of Painters, Sculptors and Engravers, the Salon of Independents, and the Autumn Salon provided a subversive counterpoint. 

The Salon was the epitome of artistic authority in France and, by extension, much of the Western world. Not only did it provide a platform for artists to display their work, but it also served as a critical venue for the public to engage with the arts. The judgments and discussions that took place there influenced artistic trends, public opinion, and the art market.

Throughout the 19th century, the Salon’s influence began to wane as its traditionalism became increasingly disconnected from the avant-garde. This divergence led to the establishment of alternative salons, such as the Salon des Refusés in 1863, created by artists who were rejected by the official Salon. This was where Édouard Manet exhibited his now-famous "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe," a work that was scandalous to contemporary audiences but is now seen as a pivotal modernist work.

As a testament to the enduring legacy of the Salon, both the Salon of Independents and the Autumn Salon continue to this day. The concept of the art salon as a meeting place for the exchange of ideas persists today, though in various forms. Modern incarnations might not have the same cultural authority as the Salon de Paris once did, but they continue to serve as important venues for networking, critical dialogue, and the promotion of new artistic ideas. From exclusive gallery events to informal artist-run spaces, the spirit of the salon lives on, fostering community and conversation in the art world.

On any given evening, The Art of Elysium opens its doors to a community of artists, volunteers, program participants, supporters and partners, and transports them into a feast for the senses. Each event features music, art, and a sumptuous meal, drawing from the vast network of talented artists and artisans that the Charity has established over decades. Each night shares a sense of communion and shared purpose, while exposing guests to art new and known. 

With an eye towards creating an atmosphere of sumptuous elegance, The Art of Elysium’s generous partners have contributed to the studio space’s refinement. This includes the graciously appointed Restoration Hardware Dining Room, and the recently unveiled Blue Lotus Bar, crafted by Laurent Rebuffel for Kimberly Denman Design and featuring a Sub-Zero wine fridge graciously donated by The Luxury Kitchen. 

Past events have welcomed a dazzling array of talented artists and dedicated supporters, including Shanola Hampton, Tasya Van Ree, Sebastian Leon, Nat Getty, Jack Winthrop, Shephard Fairey, and Autumn Rowe, alongside musical guests John Legend, Rufus Wainwright, Akira Galaxy, Puddles Pity Party, Zack Arnett, Savannah Rivers, Claude Fontaine and many others. Famous faces of supporters of the Charity are often seen at these intimate gatherings, examples include Christina Hendricks, Kelly Osbourne, Jeremy Allen White, Alicia Witt, Azie Tesfai, Cameron Monaghan, Sammi Rotibi, Katie Cassidy, Riley Keough, Joaquin Phoenix, Rain Phoenix, Lynne Ramsay, Topher & Ashley Grace, Zoe Kravitz,  David Arquette, Caleb Landry Jones, and Moby. 

As Jennifer and her team continue to expand the reach of their initiatives, the legacy of the salon remains: to provide a sanctuary, build community, and foster a purposeful meeting of the minds.