The Art of the Stay at Artelo: TurningArtist Collective Stories

Welcome to Artelo – The Art of the Stay.

TurningArt recently collaborated with Square Roots Collective on Artelo, a boutique hotel in Kennett Square, PA. Artelo invites guests to discover the town through an artistic and culturally relevant lens, with each of its 14 guest rooms featuring original artwork by diverse regional talent.

Artelo provides an immersive experience with attention to individual finishes and captivating artwork, reflecting the artisanal nature of the community. Twelve of these artists were recruited from TurningArt with the direction of ensuring that the art is meaningful and resonates with viewers, representing the artist community’s personal stories and experiences.

Booking a room at Artelo helps fund community initiatives, such as housing families through Family Promise of Southern Chester County and supporting social services provided by other nonprofits receiving SRCI grants. By staying at Artelo, guests contribute to a thriving community while enjoying a unique and artistic experience. 

For booking information, click here. To learn more about the mission, click here.

We interviewed our Artelo TurningArtists about their experiences working on the project.

Walk us through a typical day working in Artelo. What was your routine? 

A typical day at Artelo began with artists starting their day with coffee and prepping their supplies. After commuting to the site, they set up their workspaces, often organizing materials and setting up timelapses to document their progress.

Artists worked long hours, sometimes into the night, taking breaks for meals or smoothies from local spots. Interacting with the Artelo and Square Roots Collective teams, as well as other artists, was a highlight, creating a sense of community and shared creative energy.

From Liz Maycox: 

“My art assistant Robert and I worked some long days and into the nights while we were there. It was fun and we took breaks to get smoothies from the Produce Palace. Days included listening to music and paranormal podcasts, which I love and am frightened by simultaneously. Team members from Artelo and Square Roots Collective would visit and it was always fun to talk to them. I also really enjoyed getting to meet other artists who were working at the same time, we were doing something individually-together and it was exciting to see how they interpreted the project.”

How did you interpret the prompt you chose, and how does your style lend itself to expressing that interpretation? 

Artists drew inspiration from local themes to interpret their prompts, each infusing their unique styles into the work. One artist highlighted the undershared story of the Lenape tribes, using loose realism to feature oversized natural elements like foliage and feathers. Another embraced a blend of geometric and organic forms to express the tension between structure and fluidity, reflecting on the local mushroom industry's history as a means of reconnecting with nature. 

Overall, the diverse interpretations showcased a deep engagement with the cultural and natural history of the Kennett Square region, resulting in a rich tapestry of artistic expression.

From Alloyius McIlwaine: 

“I wanted to create something that was positive and abstract but interactive. So, I incorporated some augmented reality aspects into the abstract painting, which features a timelapse and animated versions of my positive symbols, known as “kudoglyphs.”

Kudoglyphs are positive affirmations in symbol form.  You have to go around the room and search for the Kudoglyphs and check back with the ‘key'' to discover their meaning.”

What aspect of the project's goals and objectives resonated most with you as an artist?

Artists resonated deeply with various aspects of the project's goals and objectives. The idea of creating an immersive experience appealed to many, aligning perfectly with their desire to engage viewers dynamically. Moreover, the project's profound humanitarian goal, focusing on using creativity to support the community, fostered a strong emotional connection. This commitment to connection and inspiration reflected shared values among the artists, making their participation in the project both meaningful and fulfilling.

From Mz. Icar: 

“Square Roots Collective has a beautiful agenda of imagining and building a community in which all members feel accepted, supported, and seen. We love this, so it was easy to connect with the project. Our whole crew is pretty fascinated with the idea of imagining spaces and locations that support well-being as a community.”

What challenges did you face in translating the prompt into a visual narrative for your mural? 

Translating the prompt into a visual narrative for the mural presented a range of challenges for the artists. While some faced minimal obstacles, focusing on the strategic placement of hidden elements for an immersive experience, others initially questioned whether their interpretations were too loose. This range of experiences highlighted the beauty of art in offering diverse perspectives, particularly in a vibrant setting like Kennett Square, contributing to the town's evolving arts scene. 

From Christian Kanienberg: 

“Actually, that part was smooth sailing. When designed in scale, the translation is quite simple, and allows for impromptu enhancements. In my case, one of those was to paint Woodland Tobacco mixed within the painted foliage. I met with Chief Coker after the design was done, and I felt inclined to paint this for him, after he emphasized the level of importance the plant was (and still is) to the Lenape.”

Have you discovered anything new about the community or the project as you've worked on your mural? 

As the artists worked on their murals, they discovered a range of insights about the Kennett Square community and the project's impact. Many were charmed by the town's unique character and rich history, which deepened their appreciation for the local culture. Connections with other artists and community members revealed the philanthropic efforts of organizations like Square Roots Collective, highlighting the importance of their work in fostering community engagement. 

Artists also found joy in exploring local eateries, enhancing their experience of the town. Overall, the interconnectedness of the community became a source of inspiration, contributing to a vibrant and evolving arts scene that the artists were excited to be a part of.

From Christina Wing Chow: 

“I wasn’t sure if my interpretation of the prompt was too loose at first, but that was how my mind translated it. I think the beauty of art is that it allows us to see the same prompts through many unique lenses. It’s a lovely little town, and I was happy to add to their growing arts scene.”

Can you discuss any unique challenges or opportunities presented by the size and shape of the canvas you were given? 

The size and shape of the canvas presented both unique challenges and opportunities for the artists involved. For some, working on a smaller canvas was a refreshing change, allowing them to focus intently on one wall rather than spreading their work across multiple surfaces. This approach fostered a more concentrated artistic expression, creating a distinct experience for that space. 

Others faced the challenge of adopting a "less is more" philosophy, emphasizing simplicity and impact. While some artists were accustomed to this scale and found it manageable, others discovered a unique challenge in painting ceilings, which allowed for innovative designs that added energy to the room. 

From Phillip Adams: 

“One of the very unique challenges for this project was to create an illusion of “less is more," utilizing minimalistic elements in a way that the artwork feels complete and evocative, without being cluttered or overly complex.

By focusing on essential elements and eliminating unnecessary distractions, we were able to produce a piece of art that resonates deeply with its audience and stands out precisely because of its simplicity.”

What inspired the specific elements or imagery in your mural, and how do they relate to the prompt you chose? 

The elements and imagery in the murals were inspired by a range of themes, each reflecting a deep connection to local culture and personal experiences. Many artists focused on honoring the area's Indigenous history, aiming to create pieces that engage viewers with layers of meaning and significance. Nature also played a prominent role, with inspirations drawn from local landscapes, such as transforming spaces into serene sky vistas, emphasizing the beauty and complexity of our relationship with the environment.

Themes of identity were woven throughout, with influences from diverse cultural backgrounds manifesting in geometric patterns and color choices that symbolize deeper connections to heritage and human experience.

From Kala Hagopian: 

“This project ties to our Wild Medicine Eco Mural Project - exploring cultural heritage through the study of medicinal plants. This mural depicts local flora and pollinators that reflect and relate to the local cultures and natural history of Kennett Square.”

What do you hope guests will take away from experiencing your mural during their stay at Artelo? 

Many aim to evoke comfort and a sense of connection, creating environments that feel welcoming and thought-provoking. By engaging with the subject matter, guests might spark conversations and share insights, fostering a sense of community and enlightenment.

Others focus on instilling a sense of wonder and beauty, transforming ordinary spaces into immersive environments that breathe new ideas and encourage exploration. Ultimately, the goal is for guests to leave feeling peaceful, happy, and inspired, enhancing their overall experience at Artelo.

From Chenlin Cai: 

“I hope that guests can think about the relationship between man and nature in the immersive art experience I created. At the same time, I hope it can inspire their enthusiasm for understanding Chinese culture. Tradition and modernity, new and old are in conflict and opposition, but they also blend and coexist. With the passage of time, culture is being inherited and iterated at the same time, but there is always an inherent bond.”

To learn more about Artelo and to book your stay, visit the site.

Photos attributed to Square Roots Collective.

To see more featured TurningArtists, return to our blog. To get Artelo TurningArtists' work in your space, set up a free consultation with an Art Advisor here!