Salon art

By CAROLYN R. WILSON/Correspondent

“If you build it, they will come,” said Melissa Dickenson.
Dickenson’s field of dreams just happens to be downtown Glade Spring.
In September, Dickenson and her aunt Nancy Addison opened Salon on the Square, a hair salon modeled after an urban shop that spotlights local artwork each month. The November art show will feature the work of Duane Cregger of Marion. A reception for Cregger is from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at the salon. His paintings will be on display throughout the month. The artwork of Adam Justice was featured last month. Dickenson considers hair styling an art form and wants to support other artists in the region as well.
Just as the artwork is unique, so is the business Dickenson created. Nothing about the shop is typical, she said. Decorating the rooms in black, slate and red colors, Dickenson continued the modern flair of design by painting the floor in an abstract motif.
“We wanted something eye-catching, something edgy and different to invite people through the door.”
The vacant building in the town square was refurbished by Dickenson and her aunt after weeks of hauling debris from the site. A false ceiling was removed to expose the original tin ceiling underneath. New glass windows were added to the storefront. Dickenson and her aunt created an open floor space by removing interior walls. Prior to becoming a salon, the building had been a doctor’s office and a clothing store.
Dickenson, describes herself as someone who upcycles, a process in which discarded items are repurposed to make them valuable and useful again. The store owners got creative when it came time to decorate the interior. Old doors from various Glade Spring buildings found a new life by holding mirrors inside the salon. Dickenson covered empty cable spools in aluminum foil and stacked the large spools for a display of hair products. A vintage lamp was purchased from Surber & Son in the town square. Some items were purchased from the town’s Habitat for Humanity store. A counter from the old Perry Grocery building made a desk for the shop. Using her creative touch, Dickenson covered and sealed the desk with aluminum foil for an eye-catching entrance to the shop.
The project eventually became a family effort. Dickenson made the slip covers for a sofa donated by her grandmother. An old dress form stands in the window and displays vintage clothing from her mother’s business. A friend even donated a wall clock that matched the décor.
The salon is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Dickenson and Addison, both of whom have cosmetology licenses, offer women’s and men’s cuts, color and highlights, perms and relaxers, manicures and pedicures and waxing.