Lincoln, Neb., February 3, 2016. . . . . The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel, majority owned and managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, today announced Margaret Berry as its first Artist-in- Residence. Berry will move into the new studio and gallery space on the main level of the hotel on April 1.
Berry was one of six finalists for the program. A lifelong Nebraskan, she is a studio artist and teacher in Lincoln, specializing in encaustic painting and mixed media work. Actively involved in the Lincoln community, she previously served as executive director of the Lincoln Arts Council and was the first education director at the Lux Center.
Her artwork is part of a long painting tradition which melds beeswax, damar resin and pigment. Used by the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, “encaustic” means to burn in with fire, and she uses a variety of torches to fuse wax layers of dreamy color and bold texture, sometimes incorporating oil paint, collage and photography into her work.
Her passion for encaustic has led her to exhibit coast-to-coast, teach innovative Hot Wax/Cool Art™ workshops across the U.S. and produce professional videos on YouTube.
Susan Madsen, general manager of The Cornhusker, states “Having Margaret Berry as our first Artist in Residence will be an exciting experience. She has so much energy and positivity, and her encaustic work is amazing! We’re enthusiastic to have her as part of The Cornhusker team, and look forward to her interaction with our hotel guests and staff.”
The hotel will host Berry on property in a gallery space open to the public for the Cornhusker Artist-in-Residence program. During her year of residency, Berry will spend 30 hours weekly in an on-site studio, creating pieces, hosting gallery nights and networking with guests to create a truly enriching experience for travelers.
A legacy piece will be created during her year of residency to permanently be on display within the hotel. This new, annual program will feature a new artist each year, accepting applications in the fall and beginning the new residency in April.
The Artist-in-Residence program was created by Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2009 at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wis. The program encourages the public and guests to interact with a local
artist, enriching the overall guest experience during their visit as they are able to connect with the artist and see the evolution of the pieces created.
The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel is located at 333 South 13th Street in Lincoln, Neb. For more information or to reserve accommodations, please call 1-800-228-9290 or visit www.marriott.com/lnkfs.
About The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel
The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel is the #1 hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska, just minutes from the historic Haymarket District. Having completed an $11 million renovation in September 2014, the hotel’s newly renovated amenities include 300 refurbished guest rooms with 10 luxurious suites, over 46,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a revitalized lobby and a Marriott great room offering style, comfort, convenience, complimentary Wi-Fi and the latest technologies for the savvy traveler. Guests can grab a perfectly paired bite and brew at The Miller Time Pub & Grill, Lincoln’s go-to restaurant for a power lunch, happy hour or cheering on Husker sports. To keep up with the latest Cornhusker happenings, find the hotel on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/thecornhuskermarriott), follow the hotel on Twitter or Instagram (@thecornhuskerh) or visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lnkfs-the-cornhusker-a-marriott-hotel.
About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 19 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. For more information, please visit: https://www.marcushotels.com/ and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).
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