Marcus® Hotels & Resorts is once again celebrating Spring Gallery Night with two great events. The public is invited to meet The Pfister Hotel’s new Artist in Residence Niki Johnson in her working studio on Friday, April 25, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The public is also invited to visit Gallerie M, inside InterContinental Milwaukee, for the opening night reception of the Focus Juried Exhibition.
A complimentary shuttle will transport guests throughout Gallery Night and Day’s gallery route over the course of the evening, including stops at The Pfister and InterContinental Milwaukee.
Meet The Pfister’s New Artist in Residence Niki Johnson
Come down and meet the hotel’s new resident artist, Niki Johnson, who moved into The Pfister’s lobby level studio space at the beginning of the month. She’ll have some of her latest work on display and will discuss her unique multi-media sculpting process.
During her residency, Johnson will sculpt six child-size bathtubs out of foam and then cast them in clay. Each bathtub will depict heroines from fairytales by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson. The final sculptures will incorporate a variety of materials including fur, feathers, and soap. In addition to sculpting, Johnson will create a line of limited edition commemorative plates in conjunction with the bathtubs, referencing stories such as Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood.
Johnson has an extensive background studying and teaching fine art, and brings an educated creativity and passion to The Pfister’s Artist-In-Residence program. Much of her portfolio is inspired by cultural exploration and social commentary. Johnson shows her work nationally and also organizes and curates exhibitions throughout the country.
Focus Juried Exhibition at Gallerie M, Inside InterContinental Milwaukee
Gallerie M will be hosting the first ever Focus Juried Exhibition—select works from Focus Photography Club, a student organization at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The club exists to provide experiences that expand beyond a classroom setting. Through events such as artist talks, portfolio reviews, exhibitions, and gallery visits, it strives to provide opportunities for students to gain recognition and professional practice in the field of photography.
The Focus Juried Exhibition will be on display at Gallerie M now through May 9, 2014. More information can be found at www.intercontinentalmilwaukee.com/gallerie-m.
Welcome Reception at The Pfister Hotel
After the official exhibits have concluded, gallery-goers are invited to a special Welcome Reception for Johnson from 9:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. in the Rouge Ballroom, located inside The Pfister Hotel. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served and there will be a cash bar. The reception is open to the public.
For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: http://media.marcushotels.com.
About The Pfister’s Artist-in-Residence Program
Entering its sixth year, The Pfister’s Artist-in-Residence program features a working art studio and gallery that is open to hotel guests and visitors. The program encourages the public to interact with the artist and witness the evolution of each piece first-hand.
Over the past few years, The Pfister has received national attention for its Artist-in-Residence program. Since 2009, the hotel has been a member of the Alliance of Artist Communities, www.artistcommunities.org, an international association of artists’ communities and residencies featuring a diverse field of more than 1,000 programs worldwide.
The program’s current artist is Niki Johnson (2014-2015), www.nikijohnson.com. Past artists include Stephanie Barenz (2013-2014), stephaniebarenz.com; Timothy Westbrook (2012-2013), www.unicorns.carbonmade.com; Shelby Keefe (2011-2012), www.studioshelby.com; Katie Musolff (2010-2011), www.katiemusolff.com; and Reginald Baylor (2009-2010), www.reginaldbaylor.com.
About The Pfister Hotel
Built in 1893, The Pfister Hotel has been the premier downtown Milwaukee hotel for more than a century, and continues to celebrate a tradition of gracious service and impeccable style; 2013 marked the hotel’s 120th year as an icon in Milwaukee. The Pfister Hotel was purchased in 1962 by Ben Marcus, who vowed to renovate the distinguished hotel to its original beauty. Significant renovations were completed and a new 23-story guest room tower was built. In fall 2012, The Marcus Corporation celebrated its 50th year of ownership of the property.
Home to the largest collection of Victorian art of any hotel in the world, The Pfister is a AAA Four-Diamond property with membership in two of the industry’s leading organizations: Historic Hotels of America and Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The Pfister Hotel is located at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Milwaukee. More information and updates on the hotel can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thePfisterHotel and on Twitter (@PfisterHotel).
About InterContinental Milwaukee
Whether you’re looking for vibrant nightlife or a uniquely refined place for meetings, InterContinental® Milwaukee is your downtown destination. Mixing sophisticated elegance with modern luxury, InterContinental Milwaukee offers a chic, upscale atmosphere with a twist of the unexpected. Adjacent to the scenic Milwaukee Riverwalk, InterContinental Milwaukee is centrally located to downtown’s business and theatre districts, parks, restaurants and nightlife. Discover the historic Pabst Theatre, the Milwaukee Public Museum, or one of Milwaukee’s many summer festivals. InterContinental Milwaukee is located at 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. in downtown Milwaukee. Find the hotel on Facebook (facebook.com/InterContinentalMilwaukee) or follow it on Twitter (@InterConMKE) to learn more about upcoming exhibits, events and specials.
About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 18 hotels, resorts and other properties in 10 states. A force in the hospitality industry, Marcus Hotels & Resorts provides expertise in management, development and historic renovations. The company’s portfolio includes a wide variety of properties including city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts and branded first-class hotels. For more information on the latest news and updates, please visit: http://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter.
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