Spending Your Night in a Museum . . . Well, Almost
by Edith Lynn Beer
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of Art with Altitude.
More and more, notable hotels are displaying original art in their restaurants and lobbies, even in their bedrooms and bathrooms. The paintings instill an atmosphere that says, “we respect our guests’ appreciation of art.”
The Art Hotel in Denver, Colorado, just a short walk from the Denver Art Museum, epitomizes this new idea of “let’s awaken our guests’ senses with art.” Proud of its in-house art collection, the Art Hotel has over 50 contemporary pieces, including multi-sensory experiences like the large-scale, custom installation of 22,000 LED light bulbs by Leo Villareal.
Dianne Vanderlip, former Denver Art Museum curator, is in charge of the hotel’s large collection. Known for its museum-value pieces encompassing Ed Ruscha’s Industrial Strength Sleep and other masterpieces by Deborah Butterfield and Kiki Smith, as well as Clark Richert, famous for his mode of unique patterns, these works of art are routinely rotated.
The Art Hotel, built in 2015, had some of its art commissioned specifically for the hotel, such as Larry Bell’s installation, Light
Knots, in the FIRE restaurant. Guests have been known to meander into the various alcoves and restaurants of the hotel just to view the art before they move on to other arts destinations.
Traveling south to Taos, New Mexico, brings one to the Taos Inn, another lodging that considers art an important enrichment. The Inn, originally a series of adobe structures built in the 17th century, has close ties to the town and the Taos Pueblo American Indian tribe, who live nearby on a 95,000-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its pueblos being among the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States, the Taos Pueblo tribe’s complex is a sovereign nation with a council of tribal elders who, among other duties, are in charge of appointing a governor and war chief.
Just as years ago a long list of famous artists including Georgia O’Keeffe and Joseph Henry Sharp were captivated by Taos history, the spectacular local views and almighty light, so too are today’s artists, some famous and some just loving to dabble in art, taking up residence in the area.
It is only natural that there is an art gallery across the street from the Taos Inn known independently for its own walls laden with art. The Pat Woodall Fine Art gallery describes itself as a “family-owned business selling monotypes and oil paintings. For more than 40 years, we have been providing contemporary realism and Southwest artworks.” Much of Pat Woodall’s art also is exhibited in the Taos Inn. Pat has received, among other recognition, the National Watercolor Society’s Patrons Award. When the inn’s guests browse among his artwork, they are tantalized by Pat’s interpretations of Taos historic and agrestal scenery and often commission him to do an oil painting of their own favorite Taos stretch.
In a world where travel experiences are increasingly curated to engage more than just the mind and body, hotels like the Art Hotel in Denver and the Taos Inn in New Mexico are inviting guests to explore art in a way that transforms their stay into something more immersive. These places not only offer comfort but a deep connection to culture, history and creative expression. Whether through contemporary installations or works inspired by ancient traditions, these hotels remind us that art has the power to elevate even the most ordinary moments, turning a night away into an unforgettable journey for the senses.
Elevate the Arts: In Steamboat Springs, hotels such as the Steamboat Grand procure local art to grace their walls. With so many new hotels going up, we hope architects and designers will reach out to the local art community that includes nationally known artists Denise Bohart Brown, MB Warner, Greg Block, Sandy Graves, Julie Anderson and more to connect their guests to local arts and culture. ELB
