By: Lauren Hutchens and Dylan Sattler

Art galleries can sometimes feel like exclusive clubs — spaces reserved only for “serious” artists with portfolios and critiques under their belts. But late this past November, the Salem Art Society shattered that stereotype completely.

In a heartwarming display of campus unity, the Fine Arts Center opened its doors for a student exhibit defined not by skill level or major, but by a simple, radical idea: Art is for everyone.

Breaking the “Art Major” Mold

The most striking aspect of the November exhibit was the diversity of the contributors. While Salem’s talented Art and Art History majors were certainly represented, they shared wall space with students who spend their days in chemistry labs, business seminars, and education classes.

A Safe Space to Create

For many non-majors, this event provided a rare, low-stakes environment to express themselves. The atmosphere in the Fine Arts Center wasn’t about critique or perfection; it was about vulnerability and sharing.

“I believe that the arts are so important in the world and truly allow us to express ourselves in every way.” said first-year Caroline Smith. “The arts deserve as much funding and appreciation as other events do and that’s why I’m so glad to be attending a college where events encouraging the arts occur.”

By inviting the entire student body to participate, the Salem Art Society proved that creativity isn’t a finite resource reserved for a select few. It is a shared language that connects the entire campus, regardless of which building your classes are in.

The November exhibit may be over, but its impact remains: it challenged the definition of who gets to be an artist at Salem, proving that the title belongs to anyone brave enough to create.