OPUS Hotel Vancouver celebrates its 15th anniversary with a new external art wall piece ‘Love Me’ by local artist Cathy High, as part of a continuing Opus Loves Local community-based initiative. High wanted to use OPUS Hotel’s exterior wall to bring some love and playfulness into people’s lives, after occupying the space of the highly photographed and acclaimed “It’s Love Baby” artwork, which came first to the hotel facade on Hamilton Street earlier this year.
“I hope people can appreciate the timeless quality of First Nations’ art and take an interest in what inspired the original totem pole to be carved,” High says, referencing the image of the Kakaso’Las totem pole carved by Ellen Neel for Woodward’s in 1955 (now displayed in Stanley Park). “I was drawn to the prominence of women in Indigenous art; this image is of a Dzunukwa, the Wild Woman of the Woods. The original painting is called Kiss and I wanted it to be an expression of how I saw those legendary creatures on the totem poles.”
The local art program began in 2013 with the addition of local artwork during the room refresh when Tiko Kerr’s bold urban Vancouver watercolors, Taizo Yamamoto’s thought provoking shopping carts, and Mark Mizgala’s controversial water pistols were all added to the brightly coloured rooms. More recent public space additions include the Justin Trudeau mosaic portrait by celebrated artist Jason Daussaul and a standing surf board installation called Kiss the Cook.
“Our local art program is just one aspect of our commitment to being part of the local community here in Yaletown and to creating a cultural hub in the city for guests and visitors alike,” says Katherine Evans, Brand Director for OPUS Hotel. “Our OPUS Loves Local program started in the private mini bars to showcase emerging and favourite local brands, such as designer Brunette The Label, Strathcona Beer Company and Granville Island’s Kaylin & Hobbs pickles. Our commitment to creating a true ‘local’ experience while visiting our hotel has extended into a greater and exciting initiative.”
Entitled LOVE ME, OPUS’ birthday party and art launch continued the hotel’s tradition of hosting memorable evenings – from street celebrations to pajama parties – with 450 guests from the worlds of fashion, marketing, business, hotel, restaurant and art in attendance. The celebration of local products and partners featured uniforms by Brunette the Label, and drinks from Strathcona Beer Company, LaStella Winery and Casamigos Tequila to make the star-studded event picture perfect. Locally inspired food options included Betterwith Ice Cream mini cones, pickles on a stick by Kaylin & Hobbs Pickles, and hand cut pasta by La Pentola.
OPUS’s exterior wall has become a selfie hotspot in Vancouver, with the rotating local art garnering attention from Instagram influencers and inquisitive visitors – follow the hashtags #OpusLovesLocal #ItsLoveBaby and now #LoveMe on social media to find out more.
To book a stay at OPUS and experience a taste of local life, call 1-866-642-6787 or visit http://vancouver.opushotel.com/.
