Hampton by Hilton Carefree Frames Local Talent
Writer Susan Kern-Fleischer // Photography by Madisyn Garrett, Town of Carefree
Step into the lobby of Hampton by Hilton Carefree, and you’ll immediately notice something unique among hotel chains — walls adorned with vibrant artwork capturing the essence of Arizona’s desert beauty, the result of an innovative partnership transforming hospitality into a cultural experience.
Among the featured artists, fine arts photographer Jules Gallatig captures the delicate dance of light and shadow that brings desert flower petals and leaves to life. Gallatig, a Cave Creek resident, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. In 2020, she moved from Pennsylvania to Arizona and found her passion for macrophotography. Her vibrant, colorful photos of flowers and desert plants highlight the intricate lines and beauty of nature.
“My confidence in myself as a photographer has grown leaps and bounds since I moved out here,” Gallatig says. “I love the colors, texture and closeness of flowers and plants. I often get lost wandering through the desert or in a garden. Something will speak to me, and I need to stop and get a closer look. I love finding those pieces of nature.”
Gallatig is one of seven local artists whose work is featured in the lobby of the Hampton by Hilton Carefree, thanks to a unique partnership with the nonprofit Sonoran Arts League. The other artists include painters Beth Zink, Jeanne Bonine, Gail Haire and Meg Harper; fine art photographer Carla Meeske; and pencil artist Dick Mueller.
Throughout the expansive lobby, guests are surrounded by the artists’ bright, bold acrylic and oil paintings, colored pencil drawings, and fine art photography depicting a variety of local scenes, ranging from serene desert landscapes and flowers to plants, local wildlife and starry desert nighttime skies.
“For us, this partnership is not just about the decor,” says Alec Madsen, general manager of Hampton by Hilton Carefree. “It’s about community and the chance to welcome each artist and bring our destination to life.”
A recent Grand View Research report revealed that art tourism is on the rise, and “many tourists seek to connect with various regions’ history, traditions and artistic expressions, recognizing art as a gateway to understanding a culture’s identity.”
While global trends validate the concept, Jo Gemmill, a Sonoran Arts League board member and owner of The English Rose Tea Room in Carefree, was motivated by local vision when she approached Madsen. Her motive was to find a local community partner for the league’s new Art in Public Places initiative.
“Alec and I originally met through the Carefree Restaurant Association, and at that time the hotel was fairly new in town, having opened in 2022,” Gemmill says. “Since joining the board of the Sonoran Arts League and specifically, the Art in Public Places committee, I just knew a collaboration with the hotel and our local artists would be the perfect partnership. The hotel’s walls were crying out for good art! We have such talent in our community, and what better way to promote Carefree hospitality and local art than to partner together? Best of all, the hotel management agreed!”
Gemmill enlisted the help of painter Beth Zink, a League board member who also serves on the Art in Public Places committee. Together, with the help of Sonoran Arts League board President David Court, they prepared a proposal and a slideshow of art for Madsen to review with Jeff and Amber Morrow, local residents and part owners of the hotel, along with Lincoln Hotel Group and other investors.
Zink shares that the Hampton by Hilton Carefree team requested that the art convey Arizona, Western, Southwestern and Native American themes.
“When guests arrive at the hotel, we want them to feel welcome and also intrigued by their surroundings,” she says. “Guests viewing the art can scan a QR code that includes more details about the artist and takes them to his or her website.”
Like Gallatig, Zink also fell in love with Arizona when she moved here from Colorado many years ago. She captures the beauty of the desert through bold, vibrant contemporary floral and landscape acrylic paintings.
“The vegetation and terrain were so different from anywhere I had lived,” Zink explains. “During my first spring here, I was pleasantly surprised at the amazing, colorful flowers blooming from what looked like dead, snarled cactus and desert plants in the winter. I became captivated with everything about the desert.”
During the first artist reception in the hotel lobby, Carefree Mayor John Crane greeted guests and shared his excitement for the collaborative project.
“I believe this is just the beginning of a strong and growing partnership between the Hampton by Hilton Carefree, the town, the Sonoran Arts League and our local businesses and organizations,” Mayor Crane says. “Carefree is known for its unique character and welcoming community, and this innovative partnership enhances that.”
Gemmill notes the league is also seeking more opportunities to showcase art in public places.
“Since the partnership between the Hampton by Hilton Carefree and the Sonoran Arts League has proven to be so successful, the Arts in Public Places committee welcomes future requests for publicly displayed art,” she says, adding that inquiries can be sent to David Court at [email protected].
Madsen says the partnership with the league aligns with Hampton by Hilton Carefree’s mission of going above and beyond to provide guests with an exceptional stay.
“Thanks to the Sonoran Arts League, we have created a unique experience that is memorable for our guests,” he adds. “It has been rewarding to support our local community while watching our guests connect with the art.”
The partnership represents a growing trend in which hospitality and art intersect to create authentic cultural experiences for travelers. With new artwork scheduled to rotate into the hotel in June, visitors can experience fresh perspectives of Arizona’s beauty throughout the year. Whether you’re a local art enthusiast or a visitor seeking to connect with Carefree’s creative spirit, this collaboration offers a glimpse into the soul of the desert through the eyes of those who know it best.
Hampton by Hilton Carefree Art Exhibition
Ongoing // Lobby open daily // 36734 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree // Free admission // 480-476-9200 // hamptonbyhilton.com
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