Published by Neil ThompsonThe recent art exhibition Essence of Jazz by renowned artist Rachel Akers, a first for Aloft Birmingham Eastside, concluded with remarkable success. The launch event, which was the first time the venue has ventured into art and cultural activities as a part of its event business mix, saw the sale of the artist’s largest piece, The Four-Piece Band.
Rachel Akers’ vibrant collection captivated attendees, blending the soulful rhythms of jazz with the dynamic energy of her visual art. While The Four-Piece Band found a new home on the opening night, two smaller pieces, The Individual Instruments, remain available for purchase. On the night, Rachel Akers also announced her desire and availability to take on commissioned pieces, both musical and non-musical themed, allowing art enthusiasts to own a unique piece of her imaginative work.
The exhibition will continue to be on display at Aloft Birmingham Eastside until August 9th, offering an extended opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the Essence of Jazz.
Leanne Bladen, Director of Sales & Marketing at The Eastside Rooms and Aloft Birmingham Eastside, added: " To succeed as a venue we need to consistently explore new markets and ideas, some will succeed others might not. Hosting the Essence of Jazz exhibition has been a unique experience for the venue. Rachel’s art has brought a new vibrancy to our spaces, and we are thrilled to have been a part of something so successful. It has been a pleasure to support such an extraordinary talent and see so many people engage with her work. Hosting an art exhibition on this scale was a risk for us, but it has paid off for us and Rachel. We look forward to seeing more art and cultural events as part of our business mix going forward.”
Reflecting on the success of the exhibition, Rachel Akers shared, "I met Leanne from the Aloft and The Eastside Rooms a few years ago at a networking event and although she had never seen my work in person she took a chance on me and offered me this wonderful opportunity for me to have a solo exhibition. I was delighted by the wonderful opening night event and to sell my Four Piece Band on the first night was the most amazing feeling.
This exhibition has been a wonderful journey, and I am open to take other commissions to create more pieces that inspire and connect with people."
The buyer of The Four-Piece Band, Paul, commented on his experience: "As soon as I saw Essence of Jazz, I was overwhelmed by the exuberance that emanates from the work. When you study the detail, you just have to smile; it’s an amazing feel good piece that is the essence of jazz and of joy."
The Aloft Birmingham Eastside invites everyone to visit the exhibition and experience the creative fusion of jazz and art. For more information about the available pieces and to explore Rachel Akers' portfolio, please visit her official website or contact Aloft Birmingham Eastside.
