Townsend Atelier will host the debut of a traveling exhibit titled “Together: A Portrait of Americans” by Chattanooga artist David Michael Salerno.
The exhibit features 40 portrait paintings of individuals in the Chattanooga community. Salerno painted the portraits over the last two years.
The public is invited to the opening reception Friday, July 7. The exhibition will be on view through July 28 and is scheduled to then travel to eight other venues throughout the United States.
Salerno says he painted the portraits as a response to the discord in the U.S.
“The purpose of these oil paintings is to illustrate our shared humanity and to encourage more civil and constructive interaction. To obtain a diverse group of volunteers to sit for the portraits, I recruited from 10 different religions in Chattanooga – not to compare religions but to show our similarities as humans.
“Participants volunteered to be a part of this project because they’re also concerned with the discord in our country and want to demonstrate that our similarities override our differences.”
The exhibition will be on view free of charge through 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment. Call 423 266-2712 to schedule a private viewing.
Townsend Atelier is located in The Arts Building at 301 E. 11th Street.