By Victoria Gaffney
Editor’s Note: This post has been updated to reflect new information.
The National Kidney Foundation and artists from the Torpedo Factory have conspired to turn the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City into an art studio starting next month.
In an effort to raise awareness for kidney disease, volunteer artists from the Torpedo Factory will display their work in the atrium of the Hyatt with different exhibitions debuting the third Thursday of each month, starting on Feb. 19.
The project, entitled “Art for Life,” is dual-focused and strives to both increase awareness of kidney disease and highlight the local artwork of Torpedo Factory artists, raising funds for a great cause.
“We were able to bring these two amazing organizations together under our roof to bring awareness and have a good time,” says Phillip Saims, director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Regency Crystal City.
Unlike diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses, the devastating and pervasive effects of kidney disease are often not as well-known, says Saims.
“We felt that the Kidney Foundation probably doesn’t have the same level of awareness, although (kidney disease) kills and impacts more lives than (breast cancer and prostate cancer) put together.”
Determined to increase public knowledge of this often overlooked disease, the ninth leading cause of death in the United States, Saims reached out to The National Kidney Foundation, and together they came up with the new project.
Every month will feature a different artist, and the program will include a wide range of mediums and artistic styles including metal, clay and oil pieces. The atrium, surrounded on all sides by glass and suffused in natural light, is an ideal space to showcase art, and Hyatt plans to arrange the space in a way that bests suits each artist’s medium.
The first artist to kick off “Art for Life” is photographer Greg Knott. Knott’s work is unique, and his pieces often feature sets of three or so; the series are intended to be what he calls deconstructions.
“My best-seller is a simple photo of a rock, a piece of paper, and then, on the last panel, a pair of scissors. And that’s: rock, paper, scissors,” he says.
“Art for Life” exhibits will run on the third Thursday of each month from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. For a $20 cover charge or a donation, each attendee will receive a complimentary glass of wine and some light fare. Donations will go towards the National Kidney Foundation, and the artist of the month will be present for signings.
Art for Life
Beginning Feb. 19, 2015
4:30-7:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Crystal City
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
