MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 15: Luke Cornish at The Olsen in South Yarra helping guests to start painting the background for the launch of Art Series Hotels' 'Colour Your Stay' campaign on October 15, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images for Art Series Hotels)
Stencil artist Luke Cornish and Art Series Hotels are inviting guests to apply their artistic talents. Image: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Spray cans and masks at the ready! Contemporary accommodation brand Art Series Hotels has launched a participatory art project as part of its latest promotion where guests can literally help to paint an indoor mural.

Dubbed ‘Colour Your Stay’, the campaign runs until December 30 and is being run in collaboration with Australian street art and stencil visionary Luke Cornish, who will lead the project. A finalist in both the Archibald Prize and Sulman Prize, Cornish has created artworks based on live sittings from Australian profiles including comedian Wil Anderson, Father Bob Maguire and former Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

Through his Art Series tie-up, Cornish will complete a stencilled portrait piece at three properties named after famous artists – The Blackman (Charles Blackman), The Johnson (Michael Johnson) and The Olsen (John Olsen) – with guests able to apply the finishing touches themselves.

Painting within a white-washed rooms at each of the three hotels, the portraits encourage guests to become part of the design process. At check-in, guests will be invited to register and will receive instructions. Each person will have the chance to don a mask, gown and gloves and grab either a spray can or a paintbrush and will have two minutes to “unleash the artist within”.

Over time, the portrait will be turned into the finished product as hundreds of guests each leave a small part as part of their stay.

‘Colour Your Stay’ follows on from the somewhat controversial lineage of Art Series promotions including the recent ‘No Robe’ campaign, which invited guests to pose for a nude self-portrait, and the ‘Steal Banksy’ promo which blatantly endorsed art theft.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Art Series Hotels on Colour Your Stay,” Cornish said.

“Their dedication to supporting urban art and all of its wonderful satellite genres is a passion I share and I’m really excited to see what we create together with guests.”

Art Series Director of Marketing Ryan Tuckerman said the campaign celebrates a growing art movement that directly engages the audience in the creative process and encourages self-expression.

“Supporting the arts and delivering unique art inspired experiences for our guests that are personal and bold sits at the core of the Art Series Hotels brand,” Tuckerman said.

Check out Art Series’ somewhat cryptic video promotion below.