Pfister Hotel has chosen abstract expressionist painter Pamela Anderson as its eighth resident artist.

She will begin working in the hotel’s lobby-level Artist’s Studio in April 2016, succeeding current Pfister artist Todd Mrozinski, and will work in the studio for one year.

“I am thrilled and honored to have the Pfister as my platform for the coming year and to be the first abstract painter for the Artist-in-Residence program,” said Anderson. “I look forward to engaging in dialog with visitors to my studio about the history of abstract work and discussing what they experience observing my artwork. Environment informs my process and the atmosphere and architecture of the elegant hotel will impact my work taking it in new and exciting directions.”

 Anderson studied at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, plans to create two series of works: “Gilded,” 8-10 pieces based on the gilded structures, furniture and Victorian pieces located in The Pfister Hotel, and “Architecture,” 8-10 pieces based on the hotel’s architecture. Her process utilizes large mops, tools and huge brushes to puddle, drip and scrape the surfaces of her work.

“We have been huge fans of Pamela’s work for many years,” said Tim Smith, general manager of The Pfister Hotel. “We look forward to seeing how our hotel influences her pieces over the next year and how her artistry will impact our many guests, both locally and internationally.”

Anderson was one of six finalists included in a four-week public voting period. In addition to the public vote via Facebook and in-person ballots, a selection committee, consisting of leaders in the local art community, made the final decision in choosing her as the next Artist in Residence. 

For the first year, both the winner of the online public vote, Candace Hunter, and the winner of the in-person ballot voting, Francis Annan Affotey, will receive the opportunity to display their work in solo exhibits at Gallerie M, inside InterContinental Milwaukee, also owned and managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts. All finalists from this year and years past will be offered additional opportunities to show their work at future Pfister-sponsored events. 

Entering its eighth year, The Pfister’s Artist-in-Residence program features a working art studio and gallery that is open to hotel guests and visitors. The program encourages the public to interact with the artist and witness the evolution of each piece first-hand.