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Inn and Spa at Loretto Launches Two New Initiatives to Support Local Artists
One of every six residents in Santa Fe work in an art related business.
SANTA FE, N.M. - June 29, 2009 - Santa Fe is one of nine United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities in the world. Ranking as one of the world's top three art markets with 200 art galleries and dealers, thousands of art lovers, collectors and aficionados visit the City Different each year. Many of these potential buyers lodge or dine at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, which is why the resort is launching two new art initiatives to gently bring artists and collectors together. The ‘Artists of Santa Fe' initiative gives local artists the opportunity to display artwork on consignment throughout the hotel for guests to view and purchase. The ‘Artist in Residence at Loretto' program gives selected artists a private stage in a communal area on property to create a piece of artwork and simultaneously interact with hotel guests. Both programs are free of charge to local Santa Fe artists and are open to a variety of media formats, ranging from bronze and ceramic sculptures and oil paintings to mixed media on paper. For more information, interested artists can visit www.innatloretto.com.
"Across the country, communities reliant on their art and cultural venues for public draw or cities with a large population of artists are experiencing the ripple effects of the economic downturn," said Stefan Huber, general manager of the Inn and Spa at Loretto. "Art is the lifeblood of Santa Fe and we wanted to support our local artists who make Santa Fe a vibrant, world-class destination."
The Santa Fe Gallery Association (SFGA) has 95 gallery members, including a few that are working with the Inn and Spa at Loretto on this initiative. "Businesses are recognizing the value of artists and craftspeople to the local economy and we always welcome collaborative efforts to keep Santa Fe's diverse art community vibrant and strong," said Christy Walker, SFGA managing director.
Artists of Santa Fe
The Inn has designated several communal areas throughout the hotel, both indoors and outdoors, that will display artwork on consignment for retail. The exhibit combines artwork from nationally renowned artists such as Armond Lara, independent; Ben Hammond, The Peterson-Cody Gallery; Mateo Romero and Tammy Garcia, The Blue Rain Gallery; Joe Cajero Jr., The Legends Santa Fe Gallery; Damien Jones and James Vilona, InArt Santa Fe Gallery of Fine Art. The artwork on exhibit showcases a variety of mediums, including bronze sculptures, oil paintings, framed collages, ceramic sculptures and mixed media. Prices range from $350 to $44,000. Artwork will be on display at the hotel, free of charge, until the piece is sold or the artist removes the artwork.
Huber began working with independent artists and local galleries in January and has nearly completed assembling the hotel's 18-piece exhibit. The hotel is currently looking for one final larger than life, outdoor sculpture to display in the front drive of the hotel. Local artists are encouraged to email photos and a brief description of their artwork to lorettosales@destinationhotels.com for consideration. Artwork submitted must reflect Southwest and Native American influences and complement the hotel's indigenous style and image. As positions open, a hotel committee will review submissions and select which pieces to add to the retail collection at the Inn.
Artist in Residence at Loretto
The Inn, in partnership with local artists and galleries, is set to launch ‘Artist in Residence at Loretto' beginning in July. This program gives local artists the opportunity to come on property for three hours on two consecutive days, set up a workspace in the Living Room and begin work on a new art piece in front of passerby hotel guests and visitors. The premise of the program is to give artists a casual and public venue to showcase their craft, interact with people and potential buyers and inspire an appreciation for art.
The Inn will host a new artist each week beginning July 1 - August 31. Program hours are Friday and Saturday 4-7 p.m. Galleries or artists interested in participating in the 2009 Artist in Residence at Loretto program can contact lorettosales@destinationhotels.com for more information. For a complete listing of upcoming featured artists, please visit www.innatloretto.com.
Artists currently scheduled to participate in this program, include:
1. July 17-18 - Stephen Day, The Peterson-Cody Gallery
2. August 7-8 - Heather Foster, The Perterson-Cody Gallery
To learn more about these two new art initiatives or to book a reservation, please visit www.innatloretto.com or call 800.727.5531.
Inn and Spa at Loretto
The 134-room Inn and Spa at Loretto is a boutique hotel epitomizing classic Santa Fe architecture and style with warm Southwest colors and tones. The prestigious Inn was inspired by the famed Taos Pueblo (a national historic landmark) and sits adjacent to the historic Loretto Chapel, known for its miraculous spiral staircase. The hotel, one of the most photographed buildings in town, features the Southwestern inspired Spa at Loretto with six treatment rooms, the popular Living Room Bar and Luminaria Restaurant & Patio.
Destination Hotels & Resorts
Inn and Spa at Loretto is one of more than 30 independent, upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers by Destination Hotels & Resorts, the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the country. To protect and preserve the unique communities in which the company operates, Destination launched Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program in 2008. New for 2009 is the 582-room Terranea Resort situated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southern California. The 102-acre ocean front resort will feature a 25,000-square-foot destination spa, three swimming pools, three restaurants and a Todd Eckenrode-designed par three golf course. In addition to Terranea in the greater Los Angeles area, Destination operates properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Palm Springs, Houston and Lake Tahoe. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com
