When Nina Shokrian’s children were little, they often asked to visit the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa to see the enormous glass flowers that San Antonio artist Gini Garcia created for the hotel.
The installation — titled “Wildflowers, Blown Glass” — definitely makes an impression.
It is comprised of brightly colored glassworks resembling the spring blooms familiar to South Texans: bluebonnets, Indian blankets and Mexican hats, to name a few.
For the past five years, Shokrian has worked at the resort as marketing director. And she finds herself drawn to the large-scale work every time she’s there.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for it,” she said.
J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
“Wildflowers” is just one of the distinctive art pieces that can be found all through the expansive hotel. Most evoke some aspect the Texas Hill Country, helping create a sense of place for visitors even if they don’t venture outside.
“It’s tied to the local landscapes and the rolling hills and the wildflowers and the fields,” Shokrian said. “You’re not going to see this artwork in any other J.W. Marriott.”
Other San Antonio area hotels also have artworks that enhance the visitor experience.
Monarch Hotel San Antonio
The butterflies that give the Monarch Hotel its name pop up in visual elements indoors — including dozens of cutouts seeming to swarm along columns in the lobby — as well as in an eye-catching shade structure outdoors. The piece stands between the hotel and Civic Park and is decked with hundreds of images of the graceful insects.
Estancia del Norte
Estancia del Norte near North Star Mall has a small gallery filled with artwork from San Antonian Ana Montoya’s AnArte Gallery. Montoya also has placed pieces in the lobby beyond the gallery and has artwork in the Thompson San Antonio — Riverwalk as well.
Both sites have given the artists a lot of exposure, Montoya said. And some of the artists have sold their work to people who have spotted it on display.
Aiden Hotel St. Paul Square
Sales are also a part of the Luminaria Pop Up Gallery at the Aiden Hotel in St. Paul Square. A placard in the window invites passersby to take a look. Those who do will find a few pieces here and there in the lobby, but most of the work hangs on the second floor near meeting rooms and the hotel gym.
The exhibits change every other month. The current show features flower-themed works.
The popup provides a year-round presence for Luminaria, the annual one-night arts blowout held in the fall. It also is in line with part of what makes Luminaria special.
“We bring art to people in places that are nontraditional,” said executive director Yadhira Lozano. “Luminaria, the festival, people don’t need to buy a ticket. We bring art to you.”
The popup also gives visitors a taste of San Antonio culture, she said.
A Frida Kahlo-themed exhibit last year opened while the hotel was hosting women for a conference who were a little fuzzy on the famed Mexican artist. Lozano was glad to talk to them about Kahlo and her work.
“We introduced our culture to a new audience,” she said. “That was really fun.”
There’s a little bit of an education element to the work at the J.W. Marriott, too. The resort has a handout visitors can pick up for a self-guided tour that includes information about the artists.
“Night Birds Soaring” by Sherry Owens, “Hill Country Longhorn” by Teresa Elliot and “Texas Brand” by Chris Fulmer in the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. | Courtesy photos
In addition to “Wildflowers,” other showstoppers are “Night Birds Soaring,” a huge wall sculpture by Dallas-based artist Sherry Owens intended to represent the oak trees in the area; “Hill Country Longhorn,” a striking portrait by Alpine-based artist Teresa Elliot depicting the critter against a dramatic sky; and “Texas Brand,” a multimedia work by Dallas-based artist Chris Fulmer.
Artwork hangs in guest rooms, as well. And those pieces are selected with just as much care as the works in public spaces.
“We’re actually renovating our rooms soon and we’ve had so much discussion around what does the artwork look like,” Shokrian said. “How do we keep it thoughtful and intentional in the way it is throughout the resort?”