Home to more Victorian-style art than any other hotel in the world, the historic Pfister^® Hotel in downtown Milwaukee, which is owned and managed by Marcus^® Hotels & Resorts, has hosted a nationally recognized Artist-in-Residence program for the past five years. A selection committee, consisting of members of the local art community, has chosen six finalists for the 2014—2015 term of the program. This year’s finalists are Richard Dorbin, Niki Johnson, Brandon Minga, Dena Nord, Jeff Redmon, and Stacey Williams-Ng. Now the public will help choose the next artist.

Public Voting Begins

Beginning at noon on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, members of the public will be able visit The Pfister’s Web site, and Facebook pages for The Pfister, www.facebook.com/thePfisterHotel, and InterContinental Milwaukee, www.facebook.com/InterContinentalMilwaukee, to vote for the artist they’d like to see as the next artist in residence. Votes also can be cast by texting the artist’s first name and first initial of last name to the number “22333” (ex. RDORBIN, with the exception of Williams-Ng’s code, which is SWILLIAMSNG). Voting will end Friday, Feb. 14, 2014 at noon, and the selection committee will announce the next artist in residence soon thereafter. The public vote will equate to one seat on the selection committee, influencing the final decision.

January Gallery Night

Work by the six finalists will be displayed at Gallerie M, inside InterContinental Milwaukee, for January Gallery Night, beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, where the public will be invited to vote in person via ballot box, in addition to the online methods. The exhibit will remain in the space until voting ends in February. InterContinental Milwaukee is located at 139 East Kilbourn Avenue in downtown Milwaukee.

Simultaneously, at The Pfister Hotel, current Artist in Residence Stephanie Barenz will be hosting her final Gallery Night, featuring works inspired by life stories of selected guests and staff of the Pfister Hotel.

In addition to viewing Barenz’s work, guests will also be able to view a slideshow of images from the six finalists for next year’s program and will be invited to vote for their favorite. The Pfister Hotel is located at 424 East Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Milwaukee.

Gallery Night Reception & Live Storytelling Event at The Pfister Hotel

Guests can begin and end their Gallery Night at The Pfister, as they’ll receive five hours of free parking in the hotel’s ramp with any food or beverage purchase made at the hotel that evening. A complimentary shuttle will transport guests throughout the gallery route over the course of the evening, including stops at InterContinental Milwaukee. After the official exhibits have concluded, gallery-goers are invited to a special reception and live storytelling event from 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. in the Rouge Ballroom, located inside The Pfister.

Beginning at 9:30 p.m., Barenz, along with Pfister Narrator Molly Snyder, will emcee the event, kicking off the evening of storytelling with a yarn of their own followed by nine pre-selected local artists and writers who will each tell a five-minute story revolving around the theme of “art.”

The nine participants include Tyanna Buie, A. Francis Carr, Leah Delaney, Jenna Kashou, Amy O’Neill, Anja Notanja Sieger, and more. The audience will pick the winner, who will receive an overnight stay at the Pfister Hotel and dinner for two at Mason Street Grill. Every person who comes to the event and casts a vote will receive a $5 Marcus gift card. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served and there will be a cash bar. All events are open to the public. More information on the storytelling event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/1438051193086824/.

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.

The program’s current artist is Stephanie Barenz (2013-2014), www.stephaniebarenz.com. Past artists include 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 Marcus Hotels & Resorts

Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 19 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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