The Student Art League, more commonly referred to as SAL, is offering drawing sessions with nude models.
SAL is a group consisting of students interested in art-producing activities and learning more about the artistic community here at UW. SAL organizes a variety of unique events throughout the year.
“One of the major activities the Student Art League supports is called Croquis, and consists of extra-curricular life drawing sessions from the nude model,” Shelby Shadwell, the head faculty member of Student Art League, said. “It is free for all SAL members, $5 for students and $10 per session for community members.”
Weekly Croquis events will be held on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and will only permit those who are 18 and older.
Although the group consists largely of art majors, the SAL is open to all academic degrees and programs. The SAL meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in the atrium of the Visual Arts Building.
“We hold weekly meetings, and invite students to bring work for critiques, and discuss relevant local, national and international happenings in the arts,” Shadwell said.
Abigail Schneider, a current SAL member and co-coordinator of the “Croquis” events, emphasized the unique opportunities for league members and their willingness to fundraise to reduce the economic burden on Student Art League members.
“We fundraise to build opportunities to do fun things throughout the state and the country, and to make art more accessible to the community,” Schneider said.
The major SAL fundraiser is the 4×4 Silent Art Auction and is held annually in the fall.
As its name suggests, the 4×4 Silent Art Auction gives the general public the opportunity to bid on original pieces of art, with proceeds going to the Student Art League for professional development and service to the art community on campus.
In addition to multiple opportunities in Wyoming, SAL members travel throughout the region as well.
“With the money we raise we try to take at least one trip for active members annually,” Shadwell said. “In the past, we have gone on trips to see the art scenes in Santa Fe, NM and Denver, CO. We plan to visit two artists’ residencies near Sheridan, WY this spring named Ucross and Jentel, which offer great opportunities for creative research in visual, musical, and literary arts.”
In addition to the weekly Croquis events, the Student Art Council also organizes The Salon de Refuses.
“[The Salon des Refuses is] an opportunity for any student who was not accepted into the Annual Student Juried Exhibition at the UW Art Museum to exhibit their work in the Visual Arts Building,” Shadwell said. “SAL gives one $50 award for a work in the museum and two $50 awards for work in the Salon.”
The Salon des Refuses is currently on display until Sunday, Feb. 18 in the Visual Arts Building. The opening reception for the Student Juried Show at the Art Museum is Friday, Feb. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Although most of the group’s schedule for the semester is still to be determined, the Student Art League has good intentions for the spring.
“We have a lot of ideas for the upcoming semester, but more of that is going to be decided once we have elected new officers for the club,” Rebecca Austin, a SAL member, said.
