There are some great decorative painting events and conventions coming up this year.  They are all fantastic opportunities to learn about new finishing trends, discover the latest & greatest products, share recipes, meet both new and old friends and of course the best part: being inspired to push your boundaries and set new creative standards for yourself. 

Salon — This one is coming up quick: May 21 - 25 in Chicago, IL (open to the public on the 22nd) and this year’s theme is Music.  Salon is a prestigious group of international decorative painters (in fact, last year’s Salon was held in Denmark) who convene yearly to “study each other’s work, watch and discuss old and new techniques and materials”.  As I understand it, artists can apply to Salon by submitting their work but membership is by invitation only.  The event is for Salon members and those interested in seeing true modern day masters at work.  After seeing the public exhibitions, it is impossible to not be humbled and yet strangely inspired by the Salon artistry.  (In fact, after taking Dean Sickler’s Advanced Woodgraining class, I walked away and challenged myself to reach his level of realism by the time I was 65.  Wait a minute.  I just realized I only gave myself a few decades…better get crackin’!)

Society of Decorative Painters — The 36th Annual Conference and Expo will be held May 26 - 31 in Tampa, FL.  Their theme this year is “Share the Magic of Painting” and there will be Beginner - Advanced classes held throughout the event. This event is less faux-related and has more of an emphasis on traditional decorative painting.  On Saturday, the expo is open to the public for free. 

SALI Convention — This year is an envelope-pushing event for the organization hosting this popular yearly convention.  SALI stands for Stencil Artisans League, Inc. and this year they are recognizing the growth of the decorative painting industry by changing the organization’s name to one encompassing all the artistic disciplines of our industry.  The name (which will be unveiled at the convention) also ushers in a great year of classes, with teachers such as Gary Lord, Donna Phelps, Kathy Carroll, Melanie Royals, Pierre Finkelstein, Leonard Pardon, Barth White and George Zaffle (to name just a few).  There is also a fantastic Expo to walk through, tour events scheduled and parties.  The event is in Charleston, SC and runs from July  21-26.  One of my best friends in this business, Denise Lunsford (who owns The Wall-Nut based in Naples/Fort Myers), and I will be rooming together and we always have so much fun.  (We met at a class about 8 years ago and it was a lifelong-friend moment.  In fact, when I call her I say “Hey Denise.  Denephew here.”)   You can download the brochure and see about coming along.  Should be a great event!

Artisans on the Water – This is the first event of its kind hosted by Out of this World Finishes/Seattle School of Decorative Painting, and they are planning to make it a yearly summer event.  The sunset dinner cruise will be in Seattle, WA, on August 7th (discounts available if you register by May 20th).  There will be gourmet cuisine, demonstrations of sell-able finishes by world-renowned instructors (including some previously mentioned instructors in addition to the Hoppe Brothers and Mike Macneil) with plenty of carrying on.  What a great idea!!

The Decorative Arts Show – The Faux Event has now become a part of The Decorative Arts Show, endorsed by the PDPA (Professional Decorative Painters Association).  This event is scheduled for September 7 - 13 in Atlantic City, NJ.  There are 48 classes available and include some of the teachers above as well as Ina Brousseau & Allen Marx, Andre Martinez, Nicola Vigini, Dean Sickler and a Business Roundtable that includes Nicholas Cichielo.  Looks awesome!

Hope you found some good information and please be sure to follow the links in case one (or a few) tickle your interest…we’ll meet again at the next post!