Background
The Salon of Applied Arts is set in an old secession mansion that was built in 1913 by the wealthy German manufacturer Ludwig Franz. At that time it was called Teresienhof and was an urban hub for the local bourgeoisie. During World War II it was transformed into a so-called Grand Cafeteria (Velika Kavarna) and in the late 1980s into a casino. That went bust in 2009, leaving the imposing building empty.
A collective acting as the cooperative PERON decided to return the place to its former function as a centre for urban cultures. They refurbished it, equipped it with an eclectic selection of vintage furniture and opened it up to the works created by local artists, artisans, and designers. Besides selling them, the people operating the Salon of Applied Arts also repair and renovate various design items.
The Art club & cafe Wetrinsky, established in 2017, is managed by a similar crew and is also running a strong musical programme.
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Programme
The diverse cultural programme presents frequent jazz, ethno, and quality pop concerts with mostly Slovenian artists like Janez Dovč, Brina Vogelnik, Severa Gjurin, Katja Šulc, Bossa de Novo, Marko Črnčec, yet is occasionally hosting foreign guests as well (an example being the French electro-acoustic artist Lucien Gaudion).
Other regular programme features are theatre plays, vinyl music listening sessions, discussion (for example, talks with resident artists who are staying at the Pekarna Cultural Centre), lectures on various topics (from philosophy to issues of social importance), literary and poetry readings (sometimes organised by the Slovene National Theatre Maribor), workshops on crafts and a so-called "retro vintage bazaar". The Salon has also hosted parts of the programme of the Lent Festival and the Maribor Theatre Festival. It is also the venues for Stoptrik International Film Festival.
An important aspect of reanimating the vibe of the old Grand Cafeteria are dancing evenings, from tango lessons to the events called Veliki mestni ples (Big City Dance), which host up to 300 people dancing to a live orchestra.
See also
- Art club & cafe Wetrinsky
- Lent Festival
- Maribor Theatre Festival
- Pekarna Cultural Centre
- Stoptrik International Film Festival