This was born out of an experience after her husband's mentor and dear friend, Northwest architect Edgar Smith passed away.  In November 2000, they held a memorial at their house in Portland to celebrate his life.  All those who knew him were invited.   This experience led them to open their home to friends and acquaintances they had met during their involvement in various social championing efforts.  The gatherings evolved to include artists from other disciplines: musicians, poets, writers - often, those who have directly influenced Molly's work.  This also turned out to be the beginning of what Molly learned later, was a continued family tradition of hosting salons, dating back to the early years of the previous century, events hosted by her great-grandmother, Mary Porter Sesnon, that melded music, theatre, art and the spoken word.

Above: a March 2006, salon in NYC, after the reception for her exhibition.  Scott Poole read poetry and Amelia
played their music.
 

Center:  Scott Poole reading his ironic poetry at a summer salon in Portland, part of Oregon Public Broadcasting's salon series.

Far Right: between texture & light reception and salon, Autzen Gallery, Portland State University, summer '06.

Right: Double Nickel Studios Gallery on the property
May 2011

Right: In January of 2008, Molly and Dave hosted a small literary salon for Kurt Andersen, author, and host of public radio's Studio 360 
 

Far Right: April 2011, Kristin Hersh's US debut of Rat Girl (called Paradoxical Undressing outside the US), The Getty Center, LA with Molly's paintings projected
as the visual presentation. 

Some of the past salons:

• Salon discussion around arts and arts in education with actress and arts advocate, Ann Cusack, along with mayoral candidate, Eileen Brady - September 2011
• Literary salon / author, and host of public radio's Studio 360, Kurt Andersen & author Anne Kreamer with a group discussion around creativity - April 2011
• Literary salon / New York Times art and culture writer, Larry Rohter & writer and musician, Kristin Hersh - October 2010
• Portland Brooklyn Project salon, "Like the Spice" Gallery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn - April 2010
  
• Portland Brooklyn Project salon, Portland - September 2009
• House concert / Throwing Muses' Kristin Hersh - November 2008
  
• Literary salon, Portland / Kurt Andersen, author, and host of public radio's Studio 360 - January 2008
• Art and literary salon, Portland State University, Autzen Gallery / with author Michael Rips, poet Scott Poole - July 2006
• Artists' salon, Portland / in conjunction with Oregon Public Broadcasting's Cornerstone Society, with Linda Tesner, Director of the Hoffman Gallery of Contemporary Art, Lewis & Clark College - June 2006
• Gradisca Vino e Cucina, NYC  / with Poet Scoot Poole, music of Amelia - March 2006
• Various art and literary salons in Portland / with poets, writers and musicians 
• High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon - December 2003
• Palms Hotel, Borrego Springs, California - November 2003
• Broken Top Club, Bend, Oregon - August 2003
• James Opie Soiree, Portland / with Persian ensemble Damam - December 2001

In 2008, Dave built a gallery and music studio, both referred to as, Double Nickel Studios, on the property and where Molly hangs her completed work and where she continues to host occasional literary salons. 

In what seems a natural progression - from inviting those artists who have influenced her work, the circle has widened and includes new venues and means of interdisciplinary collaboration.  In 2008, Molly was approached by the American Indie singer songwriter Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses) about using her work as the visual presentation to Kristin's spoken word and musical performances of her memoir, Paradoxical Undressing, (Europe) or Rat Girl (US). The multimedia performaces which incorporate Molly's paintings have been performed in London, The Hague, Edinburough and Sydney, Australia as well as The Getty Center in Los Angeles.