Artist Charles J. Dwyer pays homage to
Milwaukee women, building�s Industrial Era roots
 Milwaukee,
WI (February 2008) � Noted artist and Milwaukee native Charles J. Dwyer
tells a strong narrative through his editorial and fashion-based photographs.
These stories are to become a very public statement, thanks to a commission
by the new Iron Horse Hotel. The developer commissioned the artist
to use his volumes of fine art, fashion photography to create original
mixed-media murals to adorn entire walls in the guest rooms of the hotel,
opening in summer 2008.
Dwyer�s signature style concurrently blends and contrasts classical
aesthetics with romanticism and modern techniques, which aligns well with
the hotel interiors of preserving the authentic industrial era of the 100-year-old,
redeveloped warehouse.
Dwyer and the hotel�s developer, Milwaukeean Tim Dixon are childhood
friends. As Dixon refined his vision for the Iron Horse Hotel�s interiors,
he called upon Dwyer to infuse that vision into the hotel�s art.
For Dwyer, nothing could have come more naturally; he has been capturing
evocative and seamlessly fused images of Milwaukee women for years.
Nationally, Dwyer is renowned for his mastery of drawing and painting
the female figurative subject. His mixed-media works - employ his
autobiographical account interweaved with symbols, designs, and abstract
diversions to layer art history with his own bold and unique vision � have
been described by critics as classical and worthy of standing the test
of time.
A few years ago, Dwyer actively began challenging the stereotypes of
Milwaukee women through fashion-forward and provocative images. He
began photographing local women, acquaintances and inexperienced models,
making costumes and building original and ornate stage sets to accentuate
the timeless nature of the female subject. At the Iron Horse Hotel,
these images will be printed in large format on archival canvas, hand embellished
by Dwyer, and installed in each of the guest rooms. A total of 20
images will be selected, one for each room per floor and then repeated
on the five subsequent guest floors.
Each sepia-toned photographic mural is embellished with a patina of
transparent hues that reflect the hotel�s overall color palette � rust,
Verde green, hemlock gold, steel and aubergine. In fact, Dwyer served as
a color consultant on the entire project. Prior to the renovation
of the interior, he created an original series of photographs in the building�s
boiler room during construction. Some of these images will adorn
walls of what is now called The Boiler Room, retrofitted with a massive
hot tub.
Dwyer was also commissioned to create original frescoes sensitive to
the WPA style throughout the hotel. He is no stranger to this work
because of his experience in the restoration of historical buildings.
In addition to fine art, Dwyer is a muralist who has restored landmark
works from a dome in the Cathedral of Notre Dame to the murals of the Waldorf
Astoria, NYC. He has taken these skills and applied them to what
has been his signature portraiture works.
The Wisconsin native and graduate of the Milwaukee School of Art has
developed a national following since his first New York exhibition sold
out in 1992. Dwyer says it has been fulfilling to work on such a
prominent project in the city he calls home with one of his closest lifelong
friends. It�s this passion for the commission that is reflected in
the many aspects of The Iron Horse Hotel the artist has touched.
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Iron Horse Hotel� Developer�s First Hotel a Groundbreaker
For the company�s first hotel project, Dixon Development LLC is undertaking
an industry first � a modern luxury boutique hotel geared for an untapped
market, the high-end motorcycle enthusiast. Located in the firm�s home
town of Milwaukee, the Iron Horse Hotel will offer a marriage of upscale
business services, refined leisure traveler experiences and, unlike any
other premium hotel in the country, special amenities for riders.
Principal Tim Dixon understands his clientele. �I am my customer,� said
Dixon. �I travel for business and I ride � and I expect the same level
of service, design and amenities whether I�m working, playing or wearing
leathers. Right now, it doesn�t exist.� To this end, the Iron Horse Hotel
will blend state-of-the-art business services within a modern luxury setting,
complete with extensive amenities to accommodate motorcycles and riders.
Dixon also understands building in the context of its environment, and
the Iron Horse Hotel will take full advantage of its location in a historic
district. The 100-year-old building will be blocks from the convention
center and close to its new neighbor, the Harley-Davidson Museum. By maintaining
the architecture of a classic timber frame construction warehouse, his
firm is taking a design-forward approach to the American Industrial era
with subtle references to the motorcycle culture. Dixon Development�s current
portfolio reflects a dedication to redevelopment that works within its
surroundings. The company specializes in transforming underutilized buildings
and land within urban and rural environments.
�I believe in the preservation of existing architecture, accented by
modern design and functionality,� said Dixon. The firm�s projects reflect
this often-heard mantra from Dixon, a former roofer, carpenter and restaurant
owner. |
To learn more about the Iron Horse Hotel and inquire about reservations
for summer 2008, please visit www.theironhorsehotel.com or call 888-543-IRON.
Opening early summer 2008, the new Iron Horse Hotel transforms an Industrial
era 100-year old warehouse into a modern luxury boutique hotel. Located
in downtown Milwaukee, just blocks from the Midwest Airlines Convention
Center and steps from the new Harley-Davidson Museum, the Iron Horse Hotel
is the first in the industry to appeal to both sophisticated business travelers
and the growing segment of motorcycle enthusiasts. The 102-room hotel
offers complimentary wireless Internet, iPod docking stations, flat-screen
televisions, luxury linens, a fitness center, spa treatment rooms and,
coming before 2009, The Boiler Room which features a dramatic indoor hot
tub/chilling pool. Dining options include 24-hour room service and
a full-service restaurant offering indoor and outdoor terrace dining and
lobby lounge service. For the business traveler, Iron Horse Hotel
boasts on-demand business services as well as a 24-hour business center;
meeting, banquet and catering facilities; valet parking, and complimentary
car service to the airport and other downtown locations. For the motorcycle
enthusiast, the Iron Horse Hotel will feature secured covered motorcycle
parking, rag bins, an on-site bike wash, packed saddle bag lunches, road
trip maps and in-room storage areas for boots, helmets and heavy riding
leathers.
The Iron Horse Hotel is managed by Desires Hotels, a Miami-based hotel
management company which provides a wide range of services to both institutional
and individual owners of independently branded modern boutique hotels in
the United States and Caribbean. The Desires portfolio currently
includes the award-winning 93-room Sagamore Hotel and the 87-room condo
hotel The Strand Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, FL, the award-winning 76-room
San Juan Water & Beach Club Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the 110-room
Glenn Hotel in Atlanta, GA, and the 235-room Hotel Mela in New York City,
NY. For more information about Desires Hotels, call 305.577.8484 or visit
www.desireshotels.com |
