Hotels Showcasing Work of Diverse Artists to Connect to Local Cultures
Photo Credit: A mural created by Victor Ekpuk in the Kimpton Banneker Hotel in Washington, D.C. The Kimpton Banneker / The Kimpton Banneker
Skift Take
Transitioning hotel art from decorative to thought-provoking is an opportunity to enhance social responsibility while showcasing local culture — and possibly boost business.
Jonathan Morris, co-owner of the new Hotel Dryce, sees the contemporary photography in his lobby as a metaphor for art's role in building bridges and providing a voice. His favorite image at the Fort Worth property depicts a protester with a microphone leading a group across an overpass, leaving the viewer to imagine what the boy is saying.
"I'm looking for opportunities to build voices for those who haven't always had them," Morris said. "Historically in Fort Worth, I don’t think people of color — people like me — have always been represented or felt included or welcome. I want to be a space for those people."
Other eye-catching images at the Dryce include Black and Hispanic ranch hands, who comprise more than a quarter of the reg
