Salon des Refusés, which translates from French to "the show of refused works" in English, is a famous exhibit in art history that began in the impressionist era.

At Southeast Missouri State University, art students who were not selected to participate in the Annual Juried Student Exhibition, an exhibit that features pieces specifically selected by a qualified and trained art juror, can opt to have their work displayed in the Salon des Refusés instead.

This year, the Salon des Refusés will display April 7-16, while the Annual Juried Student Exhibition will overlap from April 10-16.

According to Kristin Powers Nowlin, River Campus Art Gallery gallery coordinator, a Salon des Refusés has a long history in the art world, originating during the 1800s as a protest against the jury by artists whose work was not selected. Nowlin said that here at Southeast, however, it has become a celebrated tradition that is often identically successful to the Juried Student Exhibition, and students do not see it being an exhibit of less value.

"The Salon has become a strong show, selling just as much, if not more than the jury. The artists do not see it as an exhibit of lesser quality by any means," Nowlin said.

Both exhibits feature diverse media, with works including sculptures, drawings, ceramics, digital art and paintings. Chris Kahler, a professor of painting and drawing and the graduate coordinator for the Department of Art at Eastern Illinois University, is serving as the juror for this year's Juried Student Exhibition. He said he will keep an open mind to a variety of different skill levels and art types.

"I am very open minded because I don't know exactly what I'm walking into." Kahler said. "You have to find what's interesting in different levels of student skill. I'm looking for ambitious works, but also works that are intentionally unfinished. I have a good eye for that."

All art majors are required to submit a piece of work to the Juried Student Exhibition. Chris Beaty, a Southeast senior majoring in painting, plans to submit more than 10 of his own pieces, including sculptures, drawings, a digital design and handmade works. Even if not chosen to be featured in the Juried Student Exhibition, Beaty said he would still opt to participate in the Salon des Refusés.

"The Salon is a good opportunity for students to get their art into the public eye and seen by the community. You want your work viewed as much as possible, and the Salon is a good way to market yourself," Beaty said.

Both exhibitions are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Nowlin at kpnowlin@semo.edu or call (573) 651-5901.