NEWH - Spring 2016 - 38

Q&A

Meet Nat Coalson
Communications chair for the UK chapter
and independent fine artist

What has NEWH done for you, both personally and professionally?
My NEWH membership and board positions have given me
great insight into the ways that productive business relationships
shape the hospitality industry. Maintaining an active role in
the organization has been good for my business. Involvement
in NEWH demonstrates a measure of professionalism and a
community spirit not easily found elsewhere. On a personal
level, many of the people I've met through NEWH have become
good friends. Plus, the events are just plain fun!
 
In your role as an NEWH Ambassador what are you looking
forward to in 2016?
Our chapter is currently undergoing major changes in
leadership. We're also seeing very dynamic growth in new
membership and lots of interest in what our chapter is doing in
the UK. I'm really looking forward to the 2016 board working
together; there's great energy and talent in our group. We have
lots of new ideas along with plans to continue improving what
we've been doing well. I'm also thrilled to see the increasing
participation of our new members, in particular the chapter level
members and sponsor companies who are giving us fantastic
support. Th is is an exciting time for NEWH UK.
 
What were some of the highlights of 2015?
In early 2015, we renewed our focus on producing fun, engaging
events that provide practical interest and real relevance for our
members and guests-especially designers. A key highlight from
spring 2015 was hosting a private tour of the London EDITION.
Marriott executives were there to talk about the company's
vision and answer questions from the group. Everybody loved
touring the property and getting insights into Ian Schrager's
inspirations behind the design. Hotel tours and talks are some of
our best events.
 
Tell us a bit about what's new with your own work.
I've been a fi ne artist for about 15 years, working mainly in
photography and mixed media. Before that I worked for two
decades as a graphic designer. So I'm all about providing visual
solutions. My main focus is hospitality interiors: collaborating
with designers to create meaningful experiences for the guest.

38 www.newh.org

I'm always producing new art and am currently developing a
series of abstract works made by printing photographs directly
on wood, metal, and glass. I love working with alternative
processes and unusual materials.
  
Latest travel highlight or plan?
Aside from my art business, I also teach photographers and lead
photo workshops and tours. In September 2015, I led a small group
on a private photo tour of Scotland. For two weeks we explored
and photographed most of the country. We stayed in some
stunning locations; Scotland has some world-class country inns
and castle hotels-especially small, family-operated properties-
that everyone in our group really enjoyed. The Th ree Chimneys
and the House Over-By top the list.
 
Trend or movement you are paying attention to in the industry?
The interest in local art is a strong trend in hospitality. Locally
sourced art goes a long way toward creating a sense of place in
a hotel. Th is can be great for the properties (and the local art
community) but it also compartmentalizes the market. And
some hotels are located in places where fi nding or producing
high-quality art can be problematic. To address this need,
I operate globally to create bespoke, commissioned works
featuring the areas around specific hotel properties. Another
exciting trend is that art is no longer confi ned to a rectangle on
the wall-art can be integrated within the interior scheme using
visuals of any size, shape, and material.
 
When you aren't working or at an NEWH event, where can we
find you?
I don't stay in one place for long. I work from studios in the
Midlands of England and outside Denver, Colorado; I have
clients, partners, and production facilities in North America and
Europe. Sometimes it seems my wife and I are rarely at home.
We travel a lot throughout the year, often leading photo tours or
traveling for her work producing creative services for the UK's
National Space Centre. ❙❘❚
http://www.newh.org
NEWH - Spring 2016

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