A NYC Artists’ Haven - The Carlton Arms

The Carlton Arms on East 25th Street in the Kips Bay section of Manhattan, has been offering artists lodging in exchange for decorating part of the 54-room hotel. The Carlton Arms Art Project started in the late 1980’s, when a small group of creative people decided to paint the rooms of a dark and neglected building. This hotel contains painted, sculpted, and decoupaged rooms, hallways and stairwells.

Here is what caught my eye, I hope you enjoy!

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This is a 3-D sculpture at the entrance to the hotel.

This piece graces the wall of the funky hotel lobby, which is said to have been a speakeasy during Prohibition, then later, a hang out for drug addicts, prostitutes and drag queens.

Mona Lisa and an old repurposed TV are just a few things that you will see in the lobby.

A painted fake fireplace in front of the reception desk in the lobby

One of the hotel halls, contains a mural depicting a NYC street with a cab.

Some art is a throw-back to the glamour of yesteryear with ghosts from the past descending on the stairs.

The hotel contains some creepy elements.

Here is a bit of Egyptian art thrown in to the mix.

This darkly lit room has less decoration than most rooms in the hotel.

Unique painting that emulates neon lighting

Pictured in this hallway is a life-sized sculpture protruding from the wall.

The next three pictures were taken in the same room. With so much activity, I am not sure how much sleep the occupants would have.

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More Egyptian-themed art

The next three images are of an Indian-themed room

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Entire walls are covered in unique and colorful art.

This Banksy was done prior to the artist’s current popularity.

Artists started creating here in the mid-1980’s.

This is certainly not a Ramada Inn…

The artists are given carte blanch and this is evident in the varied styles and quality of work.

The painting is a constant evolution

The next three pictures show a room that looks like something out of a colorful childhood cartoon.

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This mosaic-tiled bathroom is one of the many shared bathrooms.

Creative? Creepy?

Musician Tito Puente makes an appearance.

Light switch art makes a sarcastic statement.

Rooms are not very big but filled with spirit.

One of the shared baths

A constantly evolving conceptual art project

Each room is an experience.

The Carlton Arms is an independently run art hotel, with a bohemian vibe, that has hosted over 200 artists over the last 30+ years it has been in operation. I was fortunate to be able to experience the hotel with a group called the New York Adventure Club.

Location:

160 East 25th Street, New York, N.Y. 10010

For more information: The Carlton Arms