-Courtesy of Punch Media
Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia, the upscale lifestyle hotel nestled in bustling Rittenhouse Square, is celebrating Pride Month early with a slate of programming, starting with a “Meet the Makers” opening reception for Philadelphia-based artists and queer couple Chris Curchin and Jorge Caliguiri, on Wednesday, May 15 from 6 pm to 8 pm. The exhibitis Hyatt Centric’s second collaboration with InLiquid, a local non-profit arts organization founded in Olde Kensington in 1999.
Visual artists and married couple Jorge Caligiuri and Chris Curchin began creating artwork together in 2020, forced by the pandemic to share a studio space. They have never shown their work side by side; the upcoming Hyatt Centric exhibit, Pair in Process, will be their first-ever combined exhibit, presenting their reflections on proximity and molding their respective creative processes to make space for collaboration. The InLiquid-curated exhibit, which will be on display for all of May and June, includes a body of work Curchin and Caligiuri created alongside each other.
“We’re pleased to present the work of Jorge Caliguri and Chris Curchin at Hyatt Centric in celebration of Pride,” said Rachel Zimmerman, Co-Founder and Executive Director at InLiquid. “Caliguri’s methodical architectural approach is encaustic and fresco, versus Curchin’s methodology, which is more organic, random texture-making in oil paint. As a married couple, it’s interesting to see that despite how the work’s materiality differs, a playful dialogue emerges between the two artists exploring shape, space, and color.”
Beyond the exhibit, Hyatt Centric’s Pride programming continues with its third annual Pride Makers Market, a local artisan marketdesigned to highlight a mix of the city’s talented queer-owned and operated small businesses and artists. Locals and visitors alike can visit Hyatt Centric on Saturday, June 22 from 11am – 5pm to peruse the extensive display of locally-made offerings for sale in the sweeping second floor lobby. In addition to craft vendors, attendees can book sessions with sought-after photographers Inner Light Aura, and enjoy PAYG bites and cocktails from adjacent Patchwork Restaurant & Bar.
Those travelling from out of town to enjoy Pride festivities can take advantage of the Hyatt Centric Pride Summer Package. The promotion will be active starting in June and running through Labor Day, and includes a discounted rate, complimentary late check-out at 1 pm, and a $25 Food & Beverage credit for Patchwork Restaurant, perfect for guests from out of town celebrating Pride in Philadelphia. Bookings with this promotion can be made here using the code “PRIDE”
“We’re excited to welcome all visitors and locals to stay with us while celebrating Pride,” said Elizabeth Fricke, Director of Sales & Marketing at Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia. “Given the robust and continued programming in Philly, the package is available through the end of July. This allows people to take advantage of the great rate for continued Pride programming through the end of June and beyond. Additionally, guests will get a chance to see the work of our latest featured artists.”
Art enthusiasts and fans of Curchin’s and Caligiuri’s work can mix and mingle with the artists at the opening reception on Wednesday, May 15. From 6 to 8 pm, guests can check out the exhibit while enjoying complimentary light bites courtesy of Patchwork Restaurant, and featured pay-as-you-go craft cocktails from the adjacent bar.
Curchin’s and Caliguri’s work will be available for purchase during the event and post-reception, and additional information can be found here. Starting May 2, the exhibit will be on view through the end of June.
Philadelphia RowHome Magazine's Blog 