SKIRVIN HILTON HOTEL NAMES OKLAHOMA CITY VIOLIN MAKER ITS SECOND ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
Arsenios Corbishley selected for the Skirvin Hilton’s Artist-in-Residence Program
OKLAHOMA CITY (August 31, 2013) —The Skirvin Hilton Hotel has named Oklahoma City native Arsenios Corbishley its next Artist-In-Residence. Beginning September10, Corbishley, a violin maker, will work from the historic hotel’s studio space on Broadway for one year, crafting his string instruments and hosting regular open-studio times. He is the second artist to qualify for the Skirvin’s Artist Residency. The Skirvin’s selection committee, in partnership with the Paseo Arts Association (www.thepaseo.com), identified Corbishley from a competitive pool of artists.
“This iconic and beautiful hotel is an ideal backdrop for me to craft my instruments, and I am honored by the invitation to spend the year in this unique setting,” Corbishley said. “The space and location in the heart of downtown will allow me to share my art with the community, and exchange ideas with other artists and musicians through hosting regular acoustic concerts and open house sessions.”
In addition to producing several other instruments, Corbishley plans to create a “Skirvin Quartet,” which will consist of two violins, a viola and a cello, each featuring characteristics inspired by his time at the Skirvin Hilton.
Corbishley currently works from his home studio in Oklahoma City. (corbishleyviolins.com). He graduated from the Chicago School of Violin Making in 2012. An Oklahoma City native, Corbishley worked for several years learning his craft at Inter-City Violin Studios, a repair shop in the Paseo area. Corbishley’s fascination with string instruments began at the age of 10, when he first learned to play the cello. In addition to his violinmaking schooling, Corbishley attended the University of Oklahoma, earning undergraduate degrees in cello performance and political science.
“We’re eager to welcome Arsenios Corbishley to the program,” Skirvin Hilton Hotel General Manager Martin van der Laan said. “We’re proud that our program, in its second year, has garnered the attention of such a unique talent, and we look forward to introducing our guests and the community to Arsenios and to the art of violin making.”
Corbishley was one of five finalists voted on by the selection committee after initial applications by 21 artists. The committee consisted of leaders in the local art community, the Paseo Art Association and the Skirvin Hilton. “His skills, personality, and passion for his work impressed the committee,” van der Laan said.
Corbishley will be the Skirvin Hilton’s second artist-in-residence, following artist Romy Owens. In its inaugural year, the program was awarded by Hilton Worldwide a Best Practice- Community Relations Award for the Skirvin Hilton.
The Skirvin Hilton is majority-owned and operated by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Skirvin Partners in Development. Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ Artist-in-Residence Program originated at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wis. in 2009 and has been expanded to the company’s Hotel Phillips in Kansas City, Mo. and the Skirvin Hilton. The program was developed to support the work of talented artists and to generate awareness of the arts community among guests and local residents alike. The Artist-in-Residence program has received local and national recognition as it continues to grow.
For more information about the Skirvin Hilton’s Artist-in-Residence program, please visit: http://www.skirvinhilton.com/artist-in-residence/index.asp
About The Skirvin Hilton Hotel
Skirvin Partners LLC, Marcus Hotels & Resorts, Partners in Development ( Skirvin Partners in Development ) and Hilton partnered on the renovation of the hotel. Opened in 1911, the Skirvin closed in 1988 but remained on the National Register of Historic Places. The Skirvin Hilton Hotel was completely renovated and re-opened in February 2007. The reopening was designated as an official Oklahoma Centennial event.
The hotel features 225 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, including 20 one-bedroom suites, one presidential suite and 18,500 square feet of premiere meeting and pre-function space. It is home to the upscale Park Avenue Grill restaurant and Red Piano lounge.
Last year, the Skirvin was named one of the best hotel meeting destinations and received a prestigious Pinnacle Award from Successful Meetings. The hotel was also once again recognized as one of the 2012 Best Hotels in the USA by U.S. News & World Report, finishing as the #1 Hotel in Oklahoma City and the State of Oklahoma. The Skirvin Hilton is a Four Diamond A.A.A. hotel and has received the Hilton Brand Award of Excellence 2012 from Hilton Worldwide.
For more information, please visit www.skirvinhilton.com and follow the company on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheSkirvinHilton ) and Twitter ( www.twitter.com/SkirvinHiltonOK ).
About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 20 hotels, resorts and other properties in 11 states. A force in the hospitality industry, Marcus Hotels & Resorts provides expertise in management, development and historic renovations. The company’s portfolio includes a wide variety of properties including city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts and branded first-class hotels. For more information on the latest news and updates, please visit: https://www.marcushotels.com/ and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).
For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: https://www.marcushotels.com/.