Written by Caroline Browne
As the reopening of the newly renovated Langham Hotel in Boston comes to fruition, The Copley Society of Art is thrilled to share that works by several of our member artists will be hanging in the art collection of this historic landmark.
The luxury hotel closed in April 2019 to undergo a comprehensive renovation project, including all new guest rooms and public spaces. The new design gives a nod to the site’s legacy as the former Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and includes preservation of original accents alongside modern touches. The iconic property will feature an extensive and carefully curated contemporary art collection sourced from renowned local artists.
As a landmark building, The Langham put special effort into the locality of the art, working with the Copley Society to source 126 pieces of art in tribute to the history of Boston. The goal is for the property to function as a private permanent collection, representative of the city and its heritage. The selected artworks celebrate Boston’s culture, environment, and history.
Co|So artist, Debra Keirce was commissioned to paint 8 portraits of former presidents of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in the style of colonial New England portraiture to hang in the All Day Dining area of the hotel. Additionally, she created 3 smaller commissioned paintings to hang inside The Fed, the hotel’s British-inspired cocktail pub with a New England twist.
Pictured: Debra Keirce, Portrait of Ralph E. Flanders, oil on aluminum panel, 30×40”
Co|So Artist and MIT graduate, Emily Toomey was commissioned to render a contemporary pastel portrait of John Singleton Copley in the style of Copley’s 18th century Self-Portrait for The Fed.
Pictured: Emily Toomey, John Singleton Copley, pastel, 20×20”
Pictured: John Singleton Copley, Self-Portrait, c. 1780-1784, oil on canvas, 32×32”
Copley Artist, Mary Hughes, was commissioned to create a topographical, three-dimensional work for the McKinley Meeting Room of the new space.
Pictured: Mary Hughes, CA, Strata No. 12, acrylic and oil on canvas, 42×24”
Pictured: Gary Davis, Baseball Player 2, charcoal drawing, 8.5×5”
The redesigned guest rooms of the Langham are inspired by travel, the hotel’s location by the sea, and Boston’s unique heritage. The works in the loft suites and guest rooms incorporate a combination of both past and present, old and new. You’ll notice everything from a vintage baseball player to a painting of Beacon Hill’s famous Acorn Street. Each work represents a piece of what makes Boston – Boston.
Pictured: Matthew McCosco, Beacon Hill, watercolor, 5×5”
Full List of Co|So Artists with Works at The Langham, Boston:
Nicole Alger
Patrick Anderson
JoAnne Chittick
Katherine Coakley
Jim Connelly, CA
Gary Davis
Ann Trainor Domingue, CA
Shelly Eager, CA
Anne Emerson
Steven Foote
Raymond Gilbert
Mary Hughes, CA
Debra Keirce
Matthew McCosco
Meg McLean
Kathryn McMahon
Acadia Mezzofanti
Marguerite Moore, CA
Joe Norris
Roger Palframan, CA
Daniel Paulding
Doron Putka
John Rufo
Janet Schwartz, CA
Tony Schwartz, CA
Kristin Stashenko
Emily Toomey
Gary Tucker
James C. Varnum
Follow along on our social media platforms as we continue to share images of the fabulous works by Co|So artists in the Langham’s art collection!