Two upcoming Oceanside hotels to put spotlight on artists

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More than 90 regional artists are preparing artwork for the Oceanside beachfront hotels due to open next February.

Three of those artists gave presentations of their work last Sunday on an Internet program sponsored by Oceanside Museum of Art, which has contracted to provide all of the art, said to be worth up to $1 million, for the long-awaited hotels.

Jeremy Cohen, senior vice president of S.D. Malkin Properties of San Diego, which is building the resort, said in a later telephone interview that he started working with the museum long ago when he was a member of its board for more than seven years.

Cohen has shepherded the hotel project for 15 years, through delays caused by recessions and lawsuits.

Now, there’s the coronavirus. But construction has continued since groundbreaking in February 2019, with an expected opening around the first of next year — before the virus.

Two hotels are being built along Pacific Street. The one on the south side, a luxury hotel, contains 226 rooms. The one on the north side, a boutique hotel, contains 161 rooms. It will accommodate as well the restored historic Graves House, also known as the “Top Gun” House for its use in the movie of that name. It is expected to become an ice-cream parlor.

Cohen said the virus “has had an impact — it’s hard to measure right now.” For instance, he said, a component could be stalled by a factory closure in China or a manufacturing glitch in the Midwest. But he’s expecting to open on Feb. 1.

“Obviously,” Cohen said, the hotel art project “has my blessing.”

The buildings aren’t quite ready for art installations yet. But when they are, Cohen said he expects a combination of works in public places and framed pictures in guest rooms. Many of those, however, will be reproductions and not original work.

“It’s our intention,” Maria Mingalone, museum executive director, said, “to have all the art installed before the public opening.”

There’s not one major focal piece, Cohen said, but just art everywhere to demonstrate to guests works of local artists.

Both Cohen and Mingalone emphasized it’s not a one-anddone partnership but a continuing program to include workshops and destination tours.

“It’s an exciting way for regional art to be highlighted,” Mingalone

said.

“We do not consider the partnership to end when we open,” Cohen said. “It’s an ongoing program, helping guests to find their way to the museum. It’s a long partnership.”

Showing their projects Sunday on a site watched by almost 100 people were artists Courtney

Mattison of Los Angeles, Jeff Irwin of San Diego and Cristopher Cichocki of Palm Springs.

Rebecca Webb, special projects director for the museum, moderated the panel discussion.

Mattison, who was an artist in residence at the Lux Art Institute in Encinitas last year, has studied marine biology and incorporates her concern for the environment in her art. Her piece, a large compilation of brightly colored coral replicas in clay, is to be placed permanently on the wall behind the reception area of the south hotel.

“I love showing my work in a public venue,” Mattison said of the hotel project. “I hope people will become interested in the human impact on the environment.”

Mingalone called Irwin’s work “sculptured reliefs.” His all-white pieces resembling tree branches, also in clay, are slated for the lobby. He said he’s looking forward to having a broader audience for his work and is “excited that a whole new group of people will see my work. I hope it touches them.”

And Cichocki’s bright disc, about 4 feet in diameter, Mingalone said, “will look different day and night,” its neon color transforming at night by use of black light. It’s to be installed in the pool bar area of the north hotel. Cichocki calls it a “light- and-space piece — phosphorescence.” He said of the hotel art, “I think it’s going to be stunning.”

“It’s an exciting way for regional art to be highlighted.” Maria Mingalone • Oceanside Museum of Art executive director

Lola Sherman is a freelance writer. Contact her at lola@ seaside-media-services.com.