The Colony partners with N.Y. gallery to display exhibits

[By Matt Morgan - Daily News Staff Writer for Palm Beach Daily News]

Most hotels around the world hang art around the building, but The Colony wants to take it to the next level. The iconic, Hammon Avenue hotel is partnering with the Voltz Clarke Gallery in New York to bring an eight-painting exhibition to The Colony’s Pavilion Saturday. “To have beautiful art, not just on the walls, but living it, it’s just the extra mile,” said Voltz Clarke Gallery owner Blair Clarke. The first exhibition will feature paintings from British artist Natasha Law, who has been featured in the Voltz Clarke Gallery for years. Law will debut never-before-seen paintings Saturday at the opening reception at The Colony. Law’s collection will be in her silhouette style and feature women in intimate moments in various states of undress.“They’re beautiful and very elegantly interpreted,” Clarke said. “It’s not anything racy.” Colony Chief Executive Officer Sarah Wetenhall, who has known Clarke for years, said the partnership was a natural fit for both sides. It allows the hotel to feature new paintings for its guests and provides another platform for the artists to show off their work.This type of work will really resonate with guests, Wetenhall said. “We speak to a very cultured guest and a very cultured community,” she said, adding that they will fit in well because they are so close to Worth Avenue, which has several galleries.Andrew and Sarah Wetenhall bought the Colony about a year ago and the hotel is celebrating its 70th year.Though many residents also live in New York and could visit the Voltz Clarke Gallery in person, it’s tougher when people are working and on the go in Manhattan, Clarke said. One could live across the street from a gallery in New York and never have the time to check it out, she said. But in Palm Beach, the pace can be a littler slower and allow Colony guests time to appreciate the art.“It is something that can happen when you have a leisure minute to catch your breath,” Clarke said.The next exhibit will be of Landon Nordeman’s photography. The series, titled Personalities of Palm Beach, features images of The Colony’s surroundings and the Worth Avenue shopping district.The unveiling of Nordeman’s work is set for March 30. Both the Law and Nordeman exhibits will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and by appointment.