The Heathman Hotel

Last week BCA Diamond Member and longtime BCA partner, The Heathman Hotel, unveiled its four new ‘Arts Signature Suites,’ designed and themed after four Portland cultural icons; the Oregon Symphony, Fine Arts and Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland Center Stage and Literary Arts. Jessica went to tour these suites with the Heathman’s General Manager and arts supporter extraordinaire Chris Erickson. Simply, they were beautiful and inspirational. Here’s the story:

A hotel located in the heart of the cultural district, the Heathman gets it. Opened in 1984 as the city’s first arts-dedicated luxury hotel, Chris and his staff understand the impact the arts have on his business, and in turn, their responsibility to support that local community. The Heathman has been a member of BCA since 1994 and has consistently been recognized in our Top Business Donors to the Arts research and reports as one of Portland’s small companies significantly supporting arts and culture. It’s no secret that travelers come to Portland to taste our rich cultural life, and the Heathman is a gateway to those deliciously creative flavors.

The Healthman has operationalized its commitment to the arts for years – with rotating fine artwork curated by Elizabeth Leach gracing the walls, an Andy Warhol Themed Suite, and a library containing books from all the authors who speak in Portland. In 2010 Erickson began to explore the idea of creating suites that reflected Portland’s unique local arts resources. Erickson and Sales and Marketing Director, Stephen Galvan, began to shape their idea: four rooms, four arts genres, and four ways to give back to a community that has shaped its business. A portion of the revenue from each room reservation would go towards the four arts groups represented in each suite, and in turn visitors, authors, artists, musicians and all others who would be fortunate to spend a night or two in these rooms would be left with the feeling that they themselves had become part of something greater; something that was truly building a vibrant community. Erickson and Galvan contacted Design Contractor Kat James of Bluevine Studio to actualize the concepts, creating rooms with unique fabrics, wall treatments, original artworks, paints, custom furnishings and special touches reflecting the theatre, literary, visual and musical icons anchoring each room. It doesn’t stop just at the local arts organizations though. James describes their approach as “sustainable luxury,” proudly explaining how the effort not only benefits the local arts groups, but tapped into local artisans, craftspeople, contractors, constructors and eco resources. This is “hyper-local” at its best.

The 2-year process was a dynamic and creative partnership between the hotel team, Bluevine Studio and the arts groups – resulting in an amazing set of spaces to relax and inspire. My own tour was full of surprises and delight. We began in the “Oregon Symphony” suite, invited by a playful back-lit sign that announces that this is a special place to stay. Walking into the room I couldn’t help but make an audible, “Oh, wow!” The centerpiece of the room, a real cello, repurposed into a sculpture sprouting gingko leaves and branches designed by Bluevine Studio and crafted by three local artisans, HBB Studio, Gustav Sculptor and Waterjet Metal Crafting is stunning. There are additional nods to nature throughout the room: little paper butterflies rising like a wave of musical notes in the symphony hall. The result is a visual reminder of the connection of music to nature – both changing, evolving, beautiful and vibrant.

The “Fine Arts Suite” is equally breathtaking. The Heathman’s art collection has been curated by local gallery owner Elizabeth Leach, who is also a founder of the First Thursday Art Walks downtown. Erickson and Galvan asked Leach to curate the Suite, and in doing so, she designated Pacific Northwest College of Art as the beneficiary of the room. According to Erickson, the suite “exhibits the most influential and stunning art in the [Heathman’s] collection. Flip the light switch in The Heathman Hotel’s Fine Art Suite and the room is illuminated by a phenomenal light installation by Portland born Hap Tivey which paints the room with color. A relief painting by local artist Joe Thurston engages the visitor by questioning the basis of creative inspiration and execution. The paintings by filmmaker Gus Van Sant are fun and exuberant and excel at bringing some lighthearted fun into the space.” Beautiful.

My third delight was touring the “Portland Center Stage” Suite. Homage to Portland’s largest theatre company, this suite is pure fun. With a rack of hats and marked-up play scripts from PCS Artistic Director, Chris Coleman, this room lets the guest be the star. Clothing from the PCS costume shop will rotate into the room (on display now are costumes from The Imaginary Invalid). PCS ticket stubs line the inside of the murphy bed doors, surrounding a guests with a theatre vibe. Sweet dreams!

Our last stop on the tour brought us to the “Literary Arts” Suite. It was hard to ignore the immediate urge to curl up on the lofted leather couch and read one of the books signed by a Portland Arts & Lectures author. The old typewriter has messages written by hotel staff welcoming authors and guests, inviting them to leave their own message. This Murphy bed muses a dream of works – inspired by 2000+ hand cut 2” x 2” dictionary page squares, carefully sealed to the inside of the doors.

These details, the historical Symphony artifacts borrowed from the Oregon Historical Society, the scripts, the fabrics with the notion of cursive handwriting all reveal the close connection between the organizations and The Heathman’s genuine desire to honor their work and craft. It’s clear that there was heart put into these rooms.

Speaking of heart, it’s that bit of love in each room that is my favorite aspect of this partnership. Literally, there’s a little piece of love in the shape of a heart or in text placed somewhere within each suite by Bluevine Studio. This signals to me that there’s more going on here than a good business venture. It’s a deep appreciation and love for the arts, for what the arts do for our city and for our lives. These rooms are inspiring, just like the arts. The arts shift our thinking, and so do these rooms. Each has its own unique character, and feel, just like each of our very special arts organizations. What’s not to love about that?

Special thanks to Chris Erickson, The Heathman Hotel and Kat James of Bluevine Studio for their dedication to Portland’s arts, cultural and artisan community. Additional thanks to the artists who participated in the design and creation of the four suites.