The Fairmont Dallas has brought on Dallas native Pamela Nelson as artist-in-residence. It's the latest art-centric move for the hotel that's adjacent to the Dallas Arts District.
Nelson is a well-traveled artist whose work has been displayed in places like the Dallas Museum of Art; the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.; and the National Arts Club in New York City. She was also appointed to the United States Commission of Fine Arts in Washington, D.C., by President George W. Bush in 2001, a post she completed in 2011.
"My hope is to explore photos and clippings from great entertainers that performed in the Venetian Room, which was the place to be in the 1970s in Dallas," Pamela Nelson said.
You've likely seen her work while out and about in Dallas, as she's responsible for, among others, Color Equations at NorthPark Center, a terrazzo floor medallion at DFW International Airport and tile murals adorning posts at DART's Dallas Zoo Station.
The Fairmont established its artist-in-residence program in 2010 as an opportunity to foster creativity in local, regional and national artists. Like those before her, Nelson will reside at the Fairmont for three months while working in a studio space at the hotel.
Guests and visitors can even watch Nelson while she works: The studio, located in the O level of the hotel's south tower, has a glass front.
The artists says she will spend her time at the hotel delving into the institution's past. "My hope is to explore photos and clippings from great entertainers that performed in the Venetian Room, which was the place to be in the 1970s in Dallas," Nelson said in a statement.
"I will concentrate on small studies using paper collage and historic documents from the hotel's archives. The collages may be reminiscent, in some ways, of quilts or embroidered textiles."
Nelson will be the artist-in-residence through August 31, a term that will end in her contributing a custom piece to the hotel's permanent art collection. She'll also have a solo exhibition in the hotel's contemporary gallery during her stay.
Pamela Nelson will spend the summer as artist-in-residence at the Fairmont Dallas hotel.
