First Friday: Downtown hotels to showcase local art, 4/3
On First Friday, you may have had a drink in the lounge of the Renaissance Downtown Phoenix Hotel, eaten dinner at Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails at Hotel Palomar or met friends for happy hour at the Sheraton. But have you noticed the artwork there?
These three downtown spots, as well as the Clarendon Hotel farther north, have made it a point to incorporate art and support the local art scene.
The Renaissance has two gallery spaces: one on the bottom floor near the conference rooms that is showing "26 Blocks" until 2018, and the Shade West Gallery, in partnership with MonOrchid's Shade organization, which features new exhibits every three months.
"In the micro-local area, with Roosevelt Row, the Phoenix Art Museum and First Friday, we realized art is a big part of the culture, and we tried to figure out how we could express this," said Jacob Wright, director of hotel operations. "We started meeting many folks in the arts area, developed relationships and started attending events. Having art in the hotel is a pleasant surprise as an amenity."
Joey Robert Parks came up with the idea of "26 Blocks" in 2009 after the recession hit. He paired 26 photographers and 26 fellow writers to work together for one month to make a photograph in a designated city block and write 500 or fewer words, inspired by the photo. Rafael Navarro created sculptures for each block.
The exhibition had its first run in 2010, touring for more than a year around downtown venues before going into storage. Last year, Parks brought it to Renaissance.
"We have had such resounding embrace of the project, and to be at the hotel permanently, it allows visitors to step off the plane, come to '26 Blocks' and is a great way to introduce people to the city," Parks said. "The show captures the history of the city, and it's such a simple idea, but so unique at the same time."
Graphic designer Travis Fetting's illustrated postcards are part of the most recent version to "26 Blocks." He has been working on a few each month and should have all 26 completed by June. Parks hopes to expand the project to other U.S. cities.
The Clarendon Hotel and Spa has been a champion of the local art scene since it opened, and it has a staff member in charge of handling art and art partnerships, Tara Sharpe, who's an artist herself. Sharpe has collaborated on works throughout the property and in the rooms, helps support such events as the ARTELPHX show, and curates the rotating gallery in the lobby.
"The Clarendon has always had a relationship with local artists and photographers, and the lobby has pretty much been used as a gallery space to some degree for years," Sharpe said. "I'm the first person to have art dedicated in my title, and I've helped us establish programs and connect people with the arts. We also sponsor events and festivals for several arts organizations."
Visitors also can see the permanent Don Bolles memorial gallery in the hallway between the restaurant and executive offices. It tells the story of the Arizona Republic investigative reporter, who was looking into corruption in 1976 when a bomb shattered his car in the Clarendon parking lot; he died several days later. There also are art installations in the spa, a sculpture in Cafe Tranquilo and art-inspired pieces, including the mosaic catwalk, around the pool.
At the Hotel Palomar, a number of pieces either by Arizona artists or that feature an Arizona or urban theme are displayed throughout the property. Phoenix artist John Randall Nelson created paintings of a blue ox and birds that hang over all the guest beds.
"The story of the Palomar brand is really told through art, and in Phoenix we go with the art-in-motion theme," said Marty Bertone, area director of sales and marketing for Kimpton hotels.
On the second floor of the hotel, a red metal sculpture by Phoenix artist Pete Deise recently arrived. There also is an art installation of an old scooter, and Southwest-inspired pictures near Blue Hound. The first-floor lobby features a beautiful acrylic panel lit from behind, and the third-floor meeting space has photographs of rural roadside attractions.
All the artwork in the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel is by local people. The most significant pieces are displayed in District American Kitchen and Wine Bar. Artists include Lalo Cota, Pablo Luna and Thomas "Breeze" Marcus, and works by Joshua Wiley have been added recently.
Downtown Phoenix hotels on First Friday
Hotel Palomar: CityScape, 2 E. Jefferson St. 602-253-6633, hotelpalomar-phoenix.com.
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel: 340 N. Third St. 602-262-2500, sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.
Clarendon Hotel and Spa: 401 W. Clarendon Ave. 602-252-7363, goclarendon.com.
Renaissance Downtown Phoenix Hotel: 50 E. Adams St. 602-333-0000, marriott.com.