It's time to get in on a little secret perhaps better known by tourists: Hotel Zetta at 5th and Mission has not one but two seven-story stairwells covered top to bottom in street art. And from 8-10pm this Thursday, June 4, all are welcome to check them out. Here's the story:
Last year, the folks at this design-minded luxury hotel had an idea. Why not cover their bland stairwells in murals? They partnered with Jonathan Matas, whose work can be found on the streets of San Francisco and Facebook's headquarters, and in a matter of weeks, he completely transformed one stairwell from the roof to the basement.
Guests love it, said Marketing and Sales Director Greg Bell, so last month they decided to tackle the second stairwell, with an Instagram contest to find who should make the new art. Established street artists Apexer (San Francisco) and Buff Monster (LA) examined more than 500 entries and chose seven artists, including five based here in San Francisco, to each paint one flight. With supplies from 1AM Gallery and a loose San Francisco theme, the artists had just 2.5 days last weekend to finish their pieces.
The winner, chosen by Apexer and Buff Monster, will be announced tomorrow night during the unveil party, and receive $5,000 and a four-day vacation package. Choosing one winner isn't easy, Bell said, but Buff Monster said he's looking for a few key things: "I’m interesting in seeing how the artists approached the space; it’s more than just four walls, it’s opportunity to create a complete, unified environment. They were also asked to somehow incorporate San Francisco, so that’ll be a factor in the judging as well."
Anyone interested in checking out the murals and meeting the artists can register for the unveil party on Eventbrite. Rest assured, they will be playing the Warriors game. Just don't forget to climb all the way up to the roof; you'll find new murals by Apexer and Buff Monster in the building's light well.
Buff Monster putting the final touches on his mural Tuesday evening.
