California's Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Launches Artist in Residence Program

It is a quarterly series in which the hotel welcomes a local-Southern California artist to showcase their artwork for one month, complementing the hotel's exquisite historic art collection. The program will launch April 14, 2016 with inaugural artist Bernard Stanley Hoyes displaying watercolor paintings.

Originally opened in 1903, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is a true living art gallery, housing countless pieces of art dating back to the 17th century. The Inn's original owner, Frank Miller, was an avid collector of art and brought hundreds of art pieces from all over the world to the hotel over the years, many of which are still found in the hotel today. While the artwork has been deemed priceless, it has never been officially appraised.

In addition to having two dedicated spaces for artwork within the hotel – The Spanish Art Gallery and The Galleria – precious treasures can be found all throughout the property. From a mid-eighteenth century 18-karat gold leaf Rayas Altar from Mexico and vintage Tiffany stained glass windows in the historic St. Francis of Assisi Chapel, to antique furniture and sculptures in public spaces, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is an art destination in its own right.

The Artist in Residence Program is meant to highlight The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's rich artistic history while also embracing the next generation of artists; bringing together the timeless with the contemporary, a reflection of the hotel today.

“We are thrilled to launch the Artist in Residence Program at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa,” said owners Duane and Kelly Roberts. “As Keepers of The Inn, we are committed to preserving the historic charm of the hotel while also providing guests and visitors with the modern luxury they desire. The Artist in Residence Program is part of that vision, and we look forward to showcasing the talent of local artists alongside the historic art that has been at The Inn for years.”

Each quarter, a new artist will bring in their artwork to display in the hotel lobby for guests and visitors alike to enjoy. Alternatively, the artist in residence can create a new piece of art inspired by The Inn. Information about the artwork and the artist will also be available for guests and visitors to learn more about them. The artwork will be available for sale, as well.

The inaugural artist in-residence, Bernard Stanley Hoyes, is a Jamaican-born artist known for his vibrant paintings, spectacular murals, and sculptures, among other mediums. Now based in Palm Springs, his work reflects spiritual and cultural inspiration, as well as his Afro-Caribbean heritage. Hoyes' strong connection to his roots is a natural parallel to the hotel's connection to its rich history. Hoyes will display four watercolor paintings that capture the desert landscape of Southern California.

Hoyes is co-curating Visual Voice at Riverside Art Museum, an exhibition that will ‘cover Southern California Black artists' ascent to the mainstream, beginning with the Black art scene in Los Angeles in the 1980s and continuing through the 1990s.' Visual Voice will take place June 17 – October 5, 2016.

For more information about The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, please visit https://www.missioninn.com