Seattle-based artist and designer Julie Conway has been named "visiting artist" for the Motif Seattle, a hotel that, true to its name, blends its identity to the vision of an area artist on a rotating basis. The recently redesigned hotel works with the artists to create a unique design "motif" that is incorporated into everything from the hotel's business cards to the room keys to elements of staff uniforms, and the collaboration is promoted on the hotel's social media presence. Conway was chosen from 20 applicants, and will receive a $2,000 honorarium. As part of her role as Motif Seattle's 2017-2018 visiting artist, Conway will be listed as the hotel's visiting artist throughout the hotel, and her work will be featured in the relaunched Website for the Motif Seattle later this month. She will also be running private glassblowing events for the hotel's clients throughout the term of the residency.
Conway's winning submission is titled "Light Ray," and based on an organic pattern of light and shadow created through refractions through glass. “Light Ray not only symbolizes the balance between light, shadows and reflections – which
are my trademark inspirations – but I also used a geothermal filter that resonates with Seattle’s historic waterways and our marine commerce,” said Conway in a prepared statement.
“We could not be more enthusiastic to team up with Julie Conway to bring her dynamic work to life throughout our independent hotel,” said Motif general manager Shannon Sheron in a prepared statement. “She is a world class talent, and her winning design, Light Ray, is a vibrant balance between subtle details and bold pops of color.”
A prolific designer of custom lighting as well as sculpture, Conway founded BioGlass, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the efficiency of glass studios and glass making practices, and disseminating the latest information and best practices to lower energy usage in glass studios. Conway implements this at her studio by incorporating low-energy LED components and recycled materials in her works.