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NATIONAL REPORT-Art and hotels historically have had a relationship, but there is a growing trend where more upscale properties are putting art galleries in house and are drawing new business from guests and local visitors.
Upscale hotels offer galleries to be more competitive and draw local visitors, rather than drive revenue.
"We were looking to replace our jewelry store when the lease ran out with something that would represent the hotel well," said Erick Berger, g.m. of the Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel in Orlando. "It is a great amenity that fits the demographics of our guests and also brings in some local traffic."
Earlier this year, The Dolphin opened Galleria Sottil, which features powerful bronze sculptures and paintings, some valued at more than $30,000. It has hosted artist James Coleman and regularly displays the works of artist Luis Sottil.
The importance of featuring local and national artists to pull buyers into the hotels was taken to a new business level when a small upscale chain, The Kessler Collection, also based in Orlando, recently named a new corporate art director, Brooke Raymond, to oversee this growing business.
For Richard Kessler, it was more of a personal...