Turn Your Cafe, Pub, Restaurant or Hotel Into a Mini Art Gallery

For many people, a favourite cafe, cosy pub, stylish bar or welcoming hotel is about far more than food and drink. 

It's also about atmosphere, personality and experience. 

One increasingly popular way to create that unique atmosphere is by transforming your venue into a mini art gallery featuring work from talented local artists.

Not only can this make your walls look more interesting and vibrant, it can also help support the local creative community while giving your business an extra talking point that keeps customers coming back.

Why Art Works in Hospitality Venues

Blank walls rarely inspire conversatin. Original artwork, however, can instantly create warmth, character and intrigue.

Customers often enjoy discovering paintings, photography, illustrations, mixed media pieces and local landscapes while enjoying a coffee, pint, meal or overnight stay. Art can help make your venue feel more independent, community-focused and memorable compared with chain competitors.

It can also encourage visitors to linger longer. Someone admiring artwork over a second coffee or another glass of wine is no bad thing for business.

Hotels can particularly benefit by creating themed displays linked to the local area, history or culture, giving guests something unique to remember about their stay.

Supporting Local Artists

Many talented artists struggle to find affordable places to showcase their work. Traditional galleries can be expensive, competitive or intimidating for newcomers.

By offering wall space in your venue, you can provide artists with valuable exposure to a wider audience. Your customers may include people who would never normally step into an art gallery but may happily buy a piece while out for lunch or drinks.

This creates a genuine win-win arrangement:

Your venue gains attractive artwork

Artists gain visibility and sales opportunities

Customers enjoy a more interesting environment

How to Get Started

You do not need to turn your business into a formal gallery overnight. Start small and build gradually.

Choose Suitable Spaces

Look for areas with:

Good lighting

Clear wall space

Steady customer footfall

Protection from accidental damage

Restaurants and pubs may prefer framed works behind seating areas rather than narrow walkways where artwork could be knocked.

Hotels can use corridors, lounges, reception areas and bedrooms to showcase different artists.

Create Simple Display Rules

It helps to establish a few clear guidelines:

Preferred artwork sizes

Framing requirements

Hanging methods

Insurance responsibilities

Display periods

Commission arrangements

Some venues charge no commission at all, while others may take a small percentage of any sale. Others simply allow artists to display their work in exchange for publicity and atmosphere enhancement.

Add Artist Information

Small information cards beside each piece can make a huge difference.

Include:

Artist name

Artwork title

Price

Contact details or website

Social media handles

QR codes can work particularly well, allowing customers to instantly view an artist’s portfolio or purchase directly online.

Host Special Art Evenings

Once you build relationships with artists, consider hosting:

Meet-the-artist evenings

Launch nights

Wine and art events

Live painting demonstrations

Charity exhibitions

These events can attract entirely new customers into your venue and generate valuable social media content.

Use Social Media to Promote the Artwork

Feature artists regularly on your Facebook, Instagram and website.

Behind-the-scenes posts showing artwork being installed can perform well online, especially when local communities share and support creative projects.

Tagging artists also helps expand your reach to their followers.

Rotate Exhibitions Regularly

Changing artwork every month or every season keeps your venue feeling fresh and gives customers a reason to return.

A rotating programme also allows you to support more artists across the year.

Art Can Become Part of Your Identity

Over time, your venue may become known locally as a place that actively supports creativity and independent artists. That reputation can help strengthen customer loyalty and community goodwill.

In a competitive hospitality market, creating a welcoming and culturally engaging atmosphere can help your cafe, restaurant, pub, bar or hotel stand out from the crowd.

Sometimes the difference between a good venue and a memorable one is simply what people see when they look around the room.

From Palette to Plate: The Favourite Foods of Famous Artists

We know their brushstrokes, their colour choices, their signature styles—but what about their favourite meals? Artists, like all of us, found joy, comfort, and inspiration in food. 

Whether it fuelled late-night studio sessions or reflected their cultural roots, what they ate can offer a fascinating glimpse into their personalities and daily lives.

In this companion piece to our post on recreating meals from famous artworks, we step away from the canvas and into the kitchens of some of the world’s most iconic artists. 

Here’s what some of them loved to eat—and how you can taste a bit of their world today.

Vincent van Gogh – Simple Dutch Fare

Vincent van Gogh led a humble and often impoverished life, particularly during his early years. Letters to his brother Theo mention frequent meals of bread, coffee, and potatoes—especially during his time in the Netherlands.

Favourite dishes:

Boiled or fried potatoes

Bread with cheese

Strong black coffee

Try recreating: Dutch Stamppot, a mashed potato dish with kale and sausage—simple, hearty and comforting.

Claude Monet – Gourmet Gardener

Monet was not only a legendary Impressionist, but also a keen gardener and food lover. At his home in Giverny, he grew his own produce and kept detailed records of meals and recipes. He enjoyed hosting guests with elegant yet wholesome French country cuisine.

Favourite dishes:

Roast duck with turnips

Bouillabaisse (a Provençal fish stew)

Apple tart with Calvados

Try recreating: A classic French ratatouille or coq au vin, paired with fresh bread and local wine.

Salvador Dalí – Surreal and Sensual Dishes

Dalí’s love of food was as eccentric and dramatic as his art. He hosted lavish surrealist dinner parties and even published a cookbook in 1973, Les Dîners de Gala, featuring decadent, often bizarre French recipes.

Favourite foods:

Sea urchins and lobster

Artichokes

Rare meats in rich sauces

Try recreating: A seafood platter or indulgent lobster Thermidor—with a surrealist twist in presentation.

Pablo Picasso – Spanish Soul Food

Although he spent much of his life in France, Picasso’s heart remained in Spain, particularly when it came to food. His childhood in Málaga and later years in Barcelona and Paris shaped his tastes.

Favourite dishes:

Paella

Churros with hot chocolate

Grilled sardines

Try recreating: Spanish tortilla (potato omelette) or pan con tomate (tomato bread) with manchego and olives for a Picasso-style tapas evening.

Frida Kahlo – Bold Mexican Flavours

Frida Kahlo not only painted vivid depictions of her pain and pride but also expressed herself through cooking. She cherished traditional Mexican dishes, often serving them at her home La Casa Azul.

Favourite foods:

Mole poblano (a rich chilli-chocolate sauce served over meat)

Tamales

Fresh tortillas with beans and salsa

Try recreating: Chiles en nogada (stuffed chillies in walnut sauce), one of her signature celebratory dishes.

Georgia O’Keeffe – Clean Eating Pioneer

In contrast to the decadent dining habits of her peers, Georgia O’Keeffe embraced whole foods and healthful living. She followed a minimalist lifestyle in New Mexico and often cooked using local, ingredients.

Favourite foods:

Steamed greens

Homemade breads

Baked squash and grains

Try recreating: A nourishing grain bowl with roasted vegetables and a drizzle of tahini—beautiful, earthy and grounding.

Andy Warhol – Brand Loyalty

Warhol’s relationship with food was paradoxical. While he turned soup cans into pop art, his personal tastes were famously minimalist. He often ate the same things repeatedly, with a fondness for mass-produced, brand-name items.

Favourite foods:

Campbell’s tomato soup

Toasted bread with butter

Coca-Cola

Try recreating: A vintage American lunch: tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich and a cola in a glass bottle.

Bringing Artists to the Table

Recreating these meals is a chance to connect with great artists on a deeply human level. Imagine cooking Van Gogh’s potatoes, plating a meal in Dalí’s surrealist style, or sipping wine in Monet’s flower-filled garden. Food was part of their creative lives too—nourishing the body while art nourished the soul.

Bonus Idea: Host an "Artists' Supper Club"

Pick an artist for each course:

Starter: Frida’s tamales

Main: Monet’s duck or Picasso’s paella

Dessert: Warhol’s favourite Campbell’s soup cake (yes, it exists!)

Drinks: A Dalí-style cocktail with dramatic garnish

Serve each with a short story or quote from the artist. It’s an edible history lesson you and your guests won’t forget.

Make Your Venue Unforgettable: Commission Local Art to Elevate Your Space

In today’s competitive hospitality scene, it’s no longer enough to offer great food and drink, your visual identity and atmosphere matter just as much. 

Whether you run a laid-back coffee shop, a country pub, a bustling city bar or a high-end hotel restaurant, one powerful way to stand out from the crowd is by commissioning local artists to create original works for your premises.

Why Commission Local Art?

Art creates atmosphere. It sparks conversation. It gives your space personality. But beyond aesthetics, choosing to feature original artwork by local artists also tells a story — one of community, creativity, and character.

Benefits include:

A unique, memorable environment that customers want to return to

Support for the local creative economy

A talking point on social media and review sites

Potential for collaborative promotions with the artists themselves

Ideas for Artistic Additions

There are countless ways to integrate local creativity into your venue:

1. Feature Walls and Murals

Transform a blank wall into a stunning mural or hand-painted motif that captures your brand’s vibe, history or setting. A seaside bistro might feature a whimsical coastal mural, while a historic pub could host a mural depicting the town’s past.

2. Tabletop or Menu Artwork

Commission an artist to design bespoke illustrations for your menus, chalkboards or even directly onto tabletops. This works beautifully for seasonal dishes, cocktails, or tasting boards.

3. Sculpture and Installations

For hotels, larger restaurants, or garden seating areas, consider sculptures, hanging mobiles or mixed-media installations made from local or recycled materials.

4. Rotating Art Exhibitions

Give your walls a dynamic feel by hosting a monthly or quarterly rotating art display featuring local painters or photographers. You’ll freshen your space regularly and attract art-loving clientele.

How to Find the Right Artists

Connect with local art colleges and universities – emerging artists are often keen for exposure and commissions.

Visit art fairs, open studios, or local galleries – these are great places to meet artists in person and see their work.

Check out community Facebook groups, Instagram, or Etsy UK – many artists showcase their portfolios online.

Reach out to your local council or arts charity – they often have directories of local creatives.

Collaborate for a Win-Win

Many artists are open to collaboration beyond just creating art. They may help with:

Co-hosting launch events or live painting evenings

Promoting your venue on their social media channels

Offering exclusive merchandise or prints sold through your venue

Make sure to credit their work with signage and online mentions — it's a sign of respect and adds authenticity to the story behind your venue’s look.

Marketing Magic

Beautiful, original art makes your premises more Instagram-worthy, more shareable, and more likely to be remembered. Feature the creative process on your social media, introduce the artist, and use hashtags like:

#LocalArt

#SupportLocalArtists

#ArtInHospitality

#MadeIn[YourTown]

Encourage visitors to tag you when they snap a photo beside the artwork.

Final Thought

Art and hospitality have always gone hand in hand — from hand-painted pub signs to modern wall murals in artisan cafés. By bringing local talent into your décor, you’re doing more than decorating — you’re making your venue part of your area’s cultural identity.

Let your walls speak for you. Commission local art — and turn your space into a masterpiece.

Would you like me to generate an image of a stylish venue featuring unique local art or mural work? I can also draft a downloadable flyer or Instagram post for businesses to promote their new artwork.

St-Remy Launches Limited Edition Bottle With Artist Lucas Beaufort

St-Rémy, the world's number one French brandy, unveils its exclusive collaboration with celebrated French artist Lucas Beaufort, which unites the worlds of fine spirits and of urban artistry, and will be certain to captivate collectors, art enthusiasts, and connoisseurs of fine brandy alike. 

Lucas Beaufort brings his revered vibrant street artist vision into the St-Rémy brand with a stunning limited-edition bottle design that showcases Beaufort's signature urban style, blending dynamic colours and captivating geometry that reflects his inspiration after tasting the St-Rémy XO with Master Blender, Cécile Roudaut.  

At the heart of this collaboration lies the shared values of authenticity, generosity, and open-mindedness, both of which Lucas Beaufort and St-Rémy hold dear. It's a meeting of two artists: Lucas, the painter of colours, memories, and emotions, and Cécile, the Master Blender, who expertly crafts harmony from the diversity of French terroirs. 

"Collaborating with St-Rémy on this project has been an genuinely incredible opportunity to fuse the worlds of art and savoire-faire," said Lucas Beaufort. "The design of this limited-edition bottle encapsulates the spirit of both our artistic endeavours and the refined excellence of St-Rémy brandy." 

Lucas Beaufort's captivating bottle artwork was inspired by an extensive tasting and masterclass with Master Blender Cécile Roudaut, where he translated St-Rémy XO's bold flavours of vanilla and wood, paired with the delicate notes of ripe fruits and honey into different shades of colours.   

"Diversity is the cornerstone of both Lucas and St-Rémy's artistic expressions," said Aveline Rimbaud, Executive Director at St-Rémy. "For St-Rémy, it is the diversity of the eaux-de-vie sourced from the different regions, grape varieties and vineyards of France. For Lucas Beaufort, it is his palette of colours, shapes, emotions, and memories that fuel his creativity. We share the belief that harmony is born from diversity." 

Both Cécile Roudaut and Lucas Beaufort embody the spirit of exploration in their unique ways - searching, waiting, observing, and adapting, to result in a harmonious creation. 

St-Rémy XO Tasting Notes 

Appearance  

Luminous amber, with a rich golden aura. 

Nose

Mature nose underpinned with echoes of oak and delicate vanilla aromas, layered with hints of ripe fruits and honey.  

Palate  

A rich palate of flavours. Subtle notes of wood and vanilla are enriched with flavours of gingerbread, candied apricots, dates, figs, and nuts. This complex taste is subtly spicy and offers a long finish. 

http://www.st-remy.com/