As part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Chicago’s Viceroy Hotel (1118 N. State St.) is showcasing eight specially designed doors featuring artistic interpretations on the subject of breast cancer.
The painted guest room doors are located on the hotel’s 5th floor and feature images inspired by each artist’s interpretation of the fight against breast cancer. According to Don Samora, Director of Brand Management at Viceroy Hotel Group,“Designer Doors for Charity is the latest installation in Viceroy Hotel Group’s larger brand initiative, A Canvas for Discovery, which invites innovative artists to Viceroy Hotels and Resorts to create original, site-specific work.” Melissa Lorenz, Director of Sales and Marketing at Viceroy Chicago, described the themes chosen by the eight Chicago-based artists as exploring “the emotions one experiences when diagnosed with breast cancer, the strength and energy that is demonstrated, as well as the inspiration and courage demonstrated by those battling the disease.” Samora noted that the Designer Doors for Charity activation is the first time the hotel group has merged site-specific work with a charitable cause. The Viceroy Chicago team chose Breast Cancer Awareness Month to focus this activation due to the team’s personal connection to the cause. “So many people have been touched by the disease in some way,” Lorenz explained, “that’s why we came up with the idea of Designer Doors for Charity as it allowed artists to really bring the stories behind survivors and their loved ones.” Lorenz added that the artists for this series were chosen “to create a platform that highlights eight fantastic local artists and their stories with the disease, while raising awareness about and proceeds for the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation.” The diverse group of Chicago-area artists, including Justus Roe, Tracee Badway, Janet Hamilton, Shar Coulson, Kate Tully, Doug Frohman, Alma Dominguez and Veronica Martinez created designs that range from the literal, such as artist Tracee Badway’s portrait of her aunt, Dorita, a recent breast cancer survivor, to more abstract works like Shar Coulson’s conceptual piece, “Passion Prevails,” which is dedicated to the artist’s mother.
A portion of revenue from all room stays on the fifth floor during the month of October will be donated to the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation (Lorenz could not confirm an exact percentage at this time). Viceroy Chicago is also hosting an event at the end of the month as the culmination of the Designer Doors for Charity initiative. The event will include a silent auction of pieces donated by participating artists, with proceeds split 50% between the artists and the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation.
Source: Forbes.com
