From 5 to 9 p.m. tomorrow, the 12th One Night Stand art show will transform the Ole Miss Motel on University Avenue into an art gallery.
This Saturday’s One Night Stand will include both returning and new artists, who will each use a room of the motel to display their works, such as paintings, photography, sketches, minikin dolls and “History Bones.” Each artist chooses how he or she wishes the motel room to be organized so that each room is different depending on the artists’ tastes.
Of course, a motel room is not where one would typically expect to find an art gallery.
The motel art show was started by Erin Austen Abbott, a photographer and writer based in Water Valley, in 2007. Abbott said that while the One Night Stand show is similar each year, the atmosphere can change with the artists.
“I was inspired to start doing this show as a means to give myself and my friends an alternative location to show work,” Abbott said. “With very few options back then, I was in search of out-of-the-box ways to show fine art. The motel seemed perfect since the rooms all had outside access and were in a nice line, almost as if they were small galleries just waiting for the art.”
Abbott said the mystery of the contents of each room adds to the appeal of the show. Abbott said that she previously attempted to follow a set theme, but found that not having one brings an element of authenticity.
“I’ve tried a theme in the past, and it really doesn’t make it feel as authentic as I would like,” Abbott said.
Throughout the years, Abbott has also learned that she prefers to have about 12 artists display their work at One Night Stand so as not to overwhelm guests. This limited number, she said, also helps sales for the artists.
This year there will be 11 artists in attendance, including Jonathan Kent Adams, Michael Foster and Adrienne Brown-David, who are all Oxford and Water Valley natives and returning artists to the show.
Foster, a tintype photographer with a studio in Water Valley, will be returning for his second One Night Stand show this weekend.
“I’m a tintype photographer, which is actually the type of pictures they used during the Civil War,” Foster said. “I use the same kind of chemicals and processes they used back then.”
Rather than displaying previous works, Foster will be taking photos on the spot.
“I’ll be setting up a portrait studio so people can actually come and have their portraits made there,” Foster said.
Heather Sundquist, an illustrator based out of Austin, Texas, will display her work at the Ole Miss Motel for the first time this weekend. Sundquist’s illustrations focus on “memories and nostalgia,” which she believes will be complemented by the unconventional setting of the event.
“My work is generally all fairly small and intimate, so I feel like it will pair really well,” she said about her art being displayed in a motel room.
Though this is Sundquist’s first time exhibiting at the One Night Stand, she’s been aware of the show for years.
“I’ve been a fan of the show for years,” Sundquist said. “I’m a huge fan of Erin Austen Abbott. I reached out last year, and sure enough, it all worked out. I’m really looking forward to checking out Oxford and displaying my work in this really unique and fun setting.”
Other participating artists include Tammie Gilfoyle, History Bones, Nicole Gladden, Kristen Ley, Rebekah Flake and Corynne Pless. Hannah’s Art Lessons will provide on-site drop-in art lessons for kids.
Smoke Shop Oxford will provide food, and Jackson Beer Co. will provide drinks from 5 to 6 p.m. at the beginning of the show for a $20 fee. After 6 p.m., the gallery is free to browse until 9 p.m.
