14 May Eight Columbia College Student Photo Works Installed Outside Iconic Hilton Chicago

Dedication of outdoor photo installation on Friday as part of Wabash Arts Corridor

CHICAGO (May 14, 2014) – Plans are underway for Columbia College Chicago and the Hilton Chicago to unveil a series of eight 15-by-25-foot fashion photographs gracing the exterior of the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. The unveiling with city and business leaders is scheduled for Friday (May 16) at 1:30 p.m. at the corner of 8th Street and Wabash Avenue, during the college’s annual Manifest Urban Arts Festival.

This project is an update and expansion of four large-scale student photographs installed on the building on Wabash Avenue a year ago. Students in Columbia College’s fashion photography class, instructed by noted editorial fashion photographers John and Andree McArthur, worked in partnership with the Global Design Services Team of Hilton Worldwide to develop the initiative. Chicago-based IC Signs & Graphics printed the large-format digital photos, produced custom frames and installed the works.

“This project is a testament to the potential learning experiences that can be realized at Columbia with strong industry partners like Hilton Worldwide” said Peter Fitzpatrick, chair of the Department of Photography at Columbia College. “The success of this project is due to John and Andree McArthur’s expert mentorship of our students and the dedication our students commit to their futures in the photography industry.”

The eight new photos will be displayed on both the Wabash Avenue and 8th Street Exteriors of Hilton Chicago.

“The Hilton Chicago is fortunate to be surrounded by world-class cultural institutions and universities. We are excited to continue our partnership with Columbia this year, unveiling eight new fashion photographs that will grace two sides of our walls for our neighbors and guests to enjoy,” said Hilton Chicago General Manager John Wells. “Hilton is proud to be a partner of the Wabash Arts Corridor, and thanks Columbia for their commitment to this neighborhood and to increasing our global presence through the arts.”

The Hilton Chicago and Columbia College partnership is part of the newly created Wabash Arts Corridor(WAC), an initiative to showcase the collective power of educational and cultural institutions in the South Loop. Other WAC projects currently in development include the Harrison Gateway, a collaboration with the Chicago Transit Authority to install images and haikus at the Harrison Red Line El Stop. Columbia College’sPapermaker’s Garden at the corner of Wabash and Balbo was constructed and dedicated last September as part of the Wabash Arts Crawl.

“We are excited to go to the next stage with our expanded Hilton Chicago installations this year,” said Mark Kelly, vice president of student affairs and one of the driving forces behind the initiative. “This is another proof point that the growing vibrancy of the Wabash Arts Corridor is destined to make the South Loop an important cultural destination through the coming years.”

The unveiling of the photo installation will take place during the 14th annual Manifest Urban Arts Festival, a celebration of the work of Columbia College’s graduating students. The festival features more than 100 different student art exhibitions, musical and theatrical performances, multimedia presentations, screenings, readings, dance performances and more. Visit http://colum.edu/manifest for more information.

WHEN:
Friday, May 16, 1:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Wabash Avenue and 8th Street

WHO:
Kwang-Wu Kim, President and CEO, Columbia College Chicago John Wells, General Manager, Hilton Chicago Mark Kelly, Vice President of Student Affairs, Columbia College Chicago Peter Fitzpatrick, Chair, Department of Photography, Columbia College Chicago Several Photography student artists

Columbia College Chicago is an urban institution that offers innovative degree programs in the visual, performing, media and communication arts for more than 10,000 students in more than 120 undergraduate and graduate programs. An arts and media college committed to a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, Columbia is dedicated to opportunity and excellence in higher education. For further information, visit www.colum.edu.

Media Contacts:
Steve Kauffman, 312.369.7383, skauffman@colum.edu 
Cara Birch, 312.369.8695, cbirch@colum.edu
Angela Braswell, 312.294.6843, angela.braswell@hilton.com