New Jersey Art Hotel adds "Artist in Residence" Program

Kevin Barry, Vice President of J.P. Barry Hospitality Inc., is pleased to announce the “Artist in Residence" program at the Oyster Point Hotel. This initiative will join the existing Oyster Point Exhibition Program of bimonthly curated art exhibits started by Barry eleven years ago.

The Artist in Residence program will allow an artist to display work in the Hotel’s guest rooms for one year. The artist will also have an extended exhibit in the public spaces of the Hotel accompanied by a public reception. In addition, the Hotel will conduct free tours of the exhibition, as well as of the work in the guest rooms.

“We have always sought to bring the community to our guests, and this will bring the work of a local artist right into their rooms,” says Barry. “Having original work in a guest room is an engaging and enriching experience. When our Curator brought me the idea, I knew we should look into it,” he continued.

Ellen Martin is not only the Curator at the Oyster Point, but an advocate for artists and a resource for the artistic community. When she was contacted about the availability of Don Harger’s work she knew it could be a great opportunity for both the Hotel and the artist.

A visit to Harger’s studio by Martin and Barry confirmed that they should move ahead.

“The guest rooms in the Hotel are stylistically minimal and very clean, and Don’s colorful, elegant and energetic paintings are a perfect pairing to our white palette. They provide depth as well as a touch of whimsey and joy to the rooms,” said Barry.

“We are known as a wedding venue, but we enjoy expanding our position as an art hotel. We already provide free opening receptions and art tours. We will be introducing quarterly Artists’ Salons and other art-related events where our guests can meet and mingle with local artists, and which will strengthen our ties to the artistic and surrounding communities.

“As a boutique hotel in a prime location we love being able to provide more personal services and amenities for our local and out-of-town guests,” concluded Barry.

Note: J.P. Barry Hospitality Inc. is the operator of both the Oyster Point Hotel and Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank, NJ. The Oyster Point Hotel is located at 146 Bodman Place, Red Bank, NJ.