Marcus Hotels & Resorts, under the Milwaukee-based Marcus Corporation, has expanded its Artist-in-Residence program from The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee to the corporation’s Hotel Phillips in Kansas City, Mo. and the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City, Okla., according to an announcement by The Marcus Corporation Wednesday.
The program, initiated in 2009 at The Pfister Hotel, a Marcus establishment, showcases the work of deserving artists and draws attention to Milwaukee’s arts community by giving guests a chance to watch artists at work. At The Pfister Hotel, guests can observe an artist creating his or her masterpieces in an art studio. Guests can also tour an art gallery at the hotel.
A new artist is chosen from a pool of applicants each year, and the artist selected devotes a full year to working in the hotel.
Praise from hotel patrons in Milwaukee propelled the extension of the programs to the two additional locations.
“We are extremely proud of the success of our Artist-in-Residence program,” said Joe Kurth, general manager of The Pfister Hotel. “From our first opening in April 2009 during Milwaukee’s Gallery Night, the program has continued to gain local and national support.”
“It is a wonderful feeling to see the program extend to several of our other properties, and it will be exciting to watch the program continue to flourish in other markets,” Kurth said.
The Artist-in-Residence program was recently acclaimed with a “Social Hotel Award” from HOTELS Magazine, a hotel industry publication.
“We are very proud that our Artist-in-Residence program has become well-known both locally and nationally,” said Gregory Marcus, president and chief executive officer of The Marcus Corporation.
According to Marcus, both hotel guests and featured artists benefit from the program as it enables guests to learn more about various art styles and gives artists an outlet to advance their careers.
“The program is a win-win for everyone involved,” Marcus said.
For more information about the Artist-in-Residence program at The Pfister Hotel, visit www.thepfisterhotel.com/artist-in-residence.
