Why Sustainability?
As sustainability in hospitality continues to become an increasingly top of mind, Kevin Barry Art Advisory can provide support to our clients as they research more eco-conscious art and design solutions. Whether it is a small adjustment to sourcing and materials, or an ESG-led initiative, our team has ideas for how to make it work across all tiers of service — from full service to select.
- By 2050, hotels will need to reduce emissions per key by 90% to be in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.*
- 70% percent of Americans believe it is important for companies to make the world a better place.**
- 81% of Millennials believe it is important for companies to take a stand on environmental issues.***
“Despite the individual challenges and personal sources of anxiety that millennials and Gen Zs are facing, they have remained focused on larger societal issues, both before and after the onset of the pandemic. If anything, the pandemic has reinforced their desire to help drive positive change in their communities and around the world.”
(Deloitte Global Millennial Survey, 2020)
Coquina at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Creating a Sustainable Art Program
Bring Sustainability to Your Art Program
- Try eco-friendly, hospitality-grade wallcoverings
- Use sustainable wood frames
- Shift to domestic production
- Support local artists and reduce carbon footprint at the same time
- Source eco-friendly inks, plant-based dyes, and low VOC paints
Examples of Sustainable Art
Sustainably Sourced Materials
Working with artists who source their materials sustainably is a popular way to make your art program eco-friendly. There are endless ways to make something old new again. Whether it’s through using fiber sourced from sustainable farms, or reworking fabric remnants and vintage material. Furthermore, the sustainable practices don’t end once the piece has been created. Adopting a zero waste art practice is another way artists can deepen their commitment to working sustainably.
Artists (top to bottom): Leah Evans (top row), Filamentos (bottom row)Witness the beauty of soft sculpture using natural fibers as seen in our work for the Coquina restaurant at Ritz Carlton Amelia Island.
Found Object Art
By working with found objects, artists can avoid some of the most wasteful parts of production. When very little new material is created for a piece, the artistry is in the composition and fabrication of the piece. Additionally, the reinterpretation of these pieces into art continues the stories found in these objects. Heirlooms, vintage artifacts, and environmental refuse are given renewed importance as art and bring with them their own unique histories.
Artists: Cassandra Smith, Susannah MiraSee examples of how we incorporated found object sculpture into our work for the Bridgewater Country Club.
Natural Fibers and Dyes
While some people might think that sustainable artmaking techniques are new, many of them are actually quite ancient. The popularization of hand-making dyes from plants and insects is a practice that takes us back to the less wasteful ways of our ancestors. Creating art from native plants local to the artist’s region is another way makers look to the history and traditions of early artisans to make today’s art more sustainable. Examples of the origins of natural dyes and materials include turmeric, indigo, sisal, and cochineal.
Artists: Nicole Young (top image), Paulina Ortiz (bottom rows)KBAA collaborator Liz Robb is a master at using plant dyes and traditional techniques to create her beautiful, sustainable artwork.
Budget-Friendly Options for Sustainability
- Eco-Friendly wallcovering options
- Sustainable wood frames
- Eco-friendly UV curable ink
- Recycled paper products
- Use local artists to reduce carbon footprint
Fairmont Kea Lani as featured in our blog post, Art with a Summer State of Mind
Sustainable Art Inspired by Locations
South Beach, FL
Coastal Luxe
(top left to bottom right: Lisa Occhipinti, Rebecca Youssef, Mira Woodworth, Lily & Sea
Sustainable art sourced for this location’s guest rooms include framed giclées printed with eco-friendly inks, and displayed in frames made with sustainable wood. Suites feature sculptural pieces made of reclaimed glass and framed original artwork made from upcycled materials.
Austin, TX
Stylish and Accessible
(left to right: Dolan Geiman, Damaris Kovach, vintage photography and maps, Katy Schmader, Lauren Williams, Karen Theisen, Cassandra Smith, RILO)
Public space art curated for the this property include works by a variety of sustainable artists. Original textile, sculptural, mixed media, and found object works give this hotel an eclectic Southwest feel.
Downtown Los Angeles, CA
Urban Millennial
(left to right: Nick Gentry, David Flores, KBAA custom sculpture, Designs by Nathalie Co, Erika Iris Simmons, Svitlana Martynjuk, Anne Weber)
Lobby artwork focused on achieving sustainability through use of eco-friendly materials. Wallcoverings are done using eco-friendly materials, art prints are produced with recycled paper, printed with eco-friendly inks, and displayed in frames made with sustainable wood.
* The Hotel Global Decarbonisation Report by the International Tourism Partnership (2017)
** Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, 2019
*** Deloitte Global Millenial Survey, 2020
