The Sofitel Hotel exhibits photography by Janice Telsar this week at the hotel’s happy hour and art reception.
After a month of having celebrated Pride with complete dedication – from covering the building in rainbow flags to dedicating monies from its restaurant and bars’ meal and cocktails – Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square has one more bomb to drop, starting at its happy hour and art reception on Thursday, July 11, from 5 pm to 7 pm.
This time, it’s all about the kiss, a “French Kiss.”
“Several times a year we are transforming the lobby at our Sofitel with artwork and photography by local artists,” said Anthony Geistwite, the Director of Sales & Marketing at Sofitel Philadelphia, and the man responsible for steering the hotel to its LGBTQ focused designs and dedication during Pride month. “We have always worked hard to curate collections that will resonate, not only with our guests, but, also our local visitors and neighbors who come through our doors, and into our public spaces.”
Janice Telstar, the Assistant Director of Conference Services at PHLCVB, has worked with Sofitel’s Geistwite for years. After learning that Telstar’s husband handles the art installations for Reading Art Works (RAW), the hotel’s executive’s interest was piqued. “That’s when we truly made a decision to display and foster local artists throughout the lobby and lounge area, rather than international artwork we had been highlighting previously,” said Geistwite. “During our conversations, I discovered that Janice has a love of photography and Paris. She has a stunning collection of her own photos that she took during her many visits to France. And at a French hotel, it is wonderful that we can display a local photographer’s love of France.”
With that, Telstar’s “French Kiss” collection scans like a love letter to Paris. “In my photographic journey, I was devoted to bringing life to the steel and stone that dominates the city,” wrote Telstar in an introduction to her exhibition. “Bridges and monuments. Street lamps and statues. These objects appear cold and inanimate, but they have souls, and as the light changes throughout the day, they come alive. In my photographic art, I hope you feel like you can reach out and touch them.”
“French Kiss”, Photography by Janice Telsar, is presented by Reading Art Works and Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square on S. 17th Street.
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