The Pfister Hotel Names Sasha Kinens as the 16th Artist in Residence

Milwaukee, February 24, 2025 – The Pfister Hotel, a historic AAA Four Diamond hotel owned and managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, announced today Sasha Kinens as its 16th Artist in Residence. Kinens, a Thiensville, Wisconsin-based figurative oil painter, begins her year-long residency in the hotel’s lobby-level artist studio this month. She succeeds the previous Artist in Residence, and fiber artist, Heidi Parkes.

“The Pfister has had a long devotion to the arts with its award-winning Artist in Residence program making a profound impression on our guests and the Milwaukee community,” said Brandon Drusch, managing director of The Pfister Hotel. “We are excited Sasha will be joining us as our 16th Artist in Residence. Guests will enjoy watching her pieces come to life as they blend historical influences with her twenty-first century outlook.”

Inspired by the pre-Raphaelites and Symbolists and informed by classical realism, Kinens uses layers of oil glazing to paint models in landscape scenes with the subject oftentimes directly connecting with the viewer. The paintings capture a thought-provoking moment and evoke a timelessness in modern society. Guests will be invited into Kinens’ studio at The Pfister to gain a better understanding of her process and see each piece develop throughout her residency. She also plans to host immersive art events and experiences throughout her residency for locals and guests alike. Kinens studied with artists James Prohl and Richard Serrin and pursued art education at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. Her pieces have been exhibited in galleries across the United States and in Italy. In addition to her practice, Kinens shares her passion for art through teaching art therapy at Tiny Bird Art Studio in Thiensville.

“I am thrilled to be The Pfister’s 16th Artist in Residence and look forward to working in such an iconic setting that has long embraced the arts,” said Kinens. “Those who appreciate the charm of The Pfister Hotel will see a similar allure in my paintings, pulling them into history only to reveal a new narrative through the layers of oil paint.”

The Pfister Hotel’s Artist in Residence program hosts emerging and mid-career artists from Milwaukee and beyond in its lobby-level artist studio. For an entire year, the artists are placed at the forefront of Milwaukee’s growing art scene, sharing their work with the hotel’s guests and locals visiting the Pfister. Now in its 16th year, the program has celebrated many diverse art forms, including fashion design, photography, painting and more. Through one-on-one visits, art receptions, gallery nights, tours and events, guests and visitors are invited to engage in each Artist in Residence’s creative process as they watch the evolution of their work firsthand. At the end of their residency, the Artist in Residence leaves behind a legacy piece that will go on permanent display at The Pfister Hotel, highlighting the mark they made on the hotel.

For more information about Kinens and her work, please visit: sashakinens.com.

For more information on The Pfister Hotel’s Artist in Residence program, please visit: thepfisterhotel.com/artist-in-residence.

To learn more about Marcus Hotels & Resorts and its properties, please visit: marcushotels.com.

About The Pfister’s Artist in Residence Program
The Pfister Hotel’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 their art firsthand. Over the years, The Pfister has received national and international attention for its Artist in Residence program. Since 2009, the hotel has been named a member of the Alliance of Artist Communities, an international association of artists’ communities and residencies featuring a diverse field of more than 1,000 programs worldwide.

The program’s past artist include: Heidi Parkes (2024); Nicole Acosta (2023); Christopher T Wood (2022-2023); Nykoli Koslow (2020-2022); Rosy Petri (2019-2020); Stephanie Schultz (2018-2019); Margaret Muza (2017-2018); Pamela Anderson (2016-2017); Todd Mrozinski (2015-2016; Niki Johnson (2014-2015); Stephanie Barenz (2013-2014); Timothy Westbrook (2012-2013); Shelby Keefe (2011-2012); Katie Musolff (2010-2011); and Reginald Baylor (2009-2010).

About The Pfister Hotel
Celebrating over 130 years, The Pfister Hotel is one of the oldest and most prestigious hotels in the Midwest and downtown Milwaukee. Originally opened in 1893 by businessman Guido Pfister, it was the most lavish hotel of its time. Today, The Pfister Hotel continues its tradition of gracious service and impeccable style and has been recognized by AAA as a Four Diamond property for over 45 consecutive years. The hotel is also consistently recognized by top national industry and travel publications and associations, such as Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards as a Top Hotel in the Midwest. This exceptional property is a member of two distinguished hotel organizations, Historic Hotels of America, and Preferred Hotels & Resorts. For more information, please visit thepfisterhotel.com and follow the hotel on Facebook and Instagram (@thepfisterhotel).

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 16 hotels, resorts, and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning. This includes unique food and beverage concepts, developed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, such as Mason Street Grill, ARIA Restaurant, Milwaukee ChopHouse, Miller Time® Pub & Grill and SafeHouse® Restaurant. For more information, please visit: media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.