This summer, the basement of the Woodward Library became home to something new: a student-curated salon wall. Led by art history student Naomi Hundt, with guidance from senior gallery assistant Mai Mai Newberry, it was her first time creating a salon wall, and the result brings fresh energy and character to the space.

The Inspiration 

“The salon wall was inspired by creepy basements, like the downstairs of the library,” Naomi explained. “We chose pieces we thought were dark with a creepy feeling. We also wanted to display a lot of the newly purchased student pieces from the 57th Annual Juried Exhibition.”

Mai Mai, who has worked on past installations in the library, agreed that the setting shaped the vision.

“We drew inspiration from the library’s basement, its tucked-away quality, and how that atmosphere could be reflected in the art,” she said.

When asked to sum it up in three words, Naomi chose “eerie, stylish, bold,” while Mai Mai described it as “patterned, literary, rhythmic.”

The Process

Creating a salon wall is no easy feat. With so many works to balance, every decision matters.

“Within each piece you have to think about the direction they are moving to, the size and frame of each piece, and the colors within them,” Naomi said. “In order to have a cohesive wall there’s a lot of trial and error in putting each piece up.”

Mai Mai emphasized how difficult it is to create a wall that truly works together as a whole.

“The simple answer would be to just fill the wall with whatever is available, but we wanted more intention than that. Each work had to speak to us and to the overall vision. That takes time, effort, and a lot of careful looking.”

For Naomi, one of the most satisfying parts was creating hidden connections within the larger theme.

“There’s a painting with flowers, and below it I placed a beetle print. It creates a little nature theme within the larger wall.”

And for Mai Mai, the defining moment came at the very end.

“When we hung the final piece—the single work beside the doors—we knew instantly that it was the finishing touch. It completed the wall.”

The Impact

Seeing the wall in place has been rewarding for both students.

“I’m very proud of this wall,” Naomi said. “It was my first ever salon wall, so I was very nervous when I first started hanging work, but I think it turned out great. I’m very excited for everyone to see it.”

Mai Mai emphasized the importance of incorporating art into everyday student spaces.

“Our role is to make the public collection truly public. Even if students don’t consciously realize it, art on the walls enriches their space. A bare wall communicates very little; one filled with artwork sparks thought and feeling. If we could, we’d love to extend that presence across the entire campus, that’s the dream.”

More than decoration, she hopes the wall becomes part of the library’s identity.

“Ideally, the wall becomes a subtle landmark or something you might use as a meeting point. ‘I’ll meet you by the wall of artwork on the first floor.’ It turns an ordinary spot into a distinctive one.”

Looking Ahead

Both Naomi and Mai Mai are pursuing art history with the goal of working in museums or galleries. Their time curating installations at Austin Peay has given them hands-on experience in art handling, display, and storytelling.

And while Mai Mai oversaw the process, she is quick to note that this was Naomi’s project from start to finish. The finished wall stands as a bold and thoughtful showcase of student creativity.

The salon wall is now on display in the basement of the Woodward Library for students and visitors to experience.