Boston, Mass. -- Artaic announced that Design ‘N Gather, the company’s annual design competition, which is now in its fifth year, is returning to the East Coast, announcing its debut in New York City, N.Y., after a two-year run in Las Vegas, Nev. This year, the jury-selected winner will have their digital artwork translated into a permanent mosaic installation set inside the rooftop Cupola of Sydell Group’s The NoMad Hotel, a historic landmark property in Manhattan. The contest will begin accepting online entries starting June 22 through September 1.
For the past two years, Artaic has partnered with high profile Las Vegas destinations such as the MGM Grand’s Wet Republic and Hyde Nightclub at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. For 2018, Artaic and its long-term partner and lead sponsor Bostik wanted to bring the excitement to the Big Apple, hosting this year’s competition in the epicenter for the design and architecture community. They teamed up with The Sydell Group on selecting the Manhattan site for the contest, and Boutique Design magazine to highlight the unveiling during their annual BDNY trade show.
“We could not be more thrilled to shift the focus of this year’s Design ‘N Gather competition to New York City,” said Ted Acworth, Artaic founder and CEO. “New York has always been at the forefront of art and innovation. Similarly, our team at Artaic continually stretches the bounds of what can be designed and produced through the medium of tile, and we cannot wait to bring the beauty of mosaics to this uniquely stunning property.”
The annual competition encourages designers from all disciplines to create a one-of-a-kind piece that will have a lasting impact on the space and on the individuals that experience it. Throughout the summer contest period, participants are asked to download Artaic’s design software, Tylist. Designers will be provided a design template for the inside of the Cupola as well as background and inspiration to help with the creative journey. Entrants are welcome to design and submit up to two, original mosaic renderings utilizing any of Artaic’s Vitreous Glass tile selections and Bostik’s Dimension RapidCure Grout color variations.
Through a blind judging process, 10 finalists will be selected in September based on the originality, execution, and successful interpretation of thematic elements relating to this year’s location: The NoMad Hotel’s iconic rooftop Cupola. Originally designed as an architecturally significant water tower, the Cupola is used for special occasion private dining. The hotel serves as the perfect backdrop for Design ‘N Gather with its turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts roots and grand interpretation of French elegance.
One winner will be chosen from the grouping of finalists where their mosaic will permanently be installed and unveiled at a private event at The Nomad Hotel on November 11 in conjunction with Boutique Design New York (BDNY). In addition to having their mosaic installed, the winner will also receive a trip for two to Paris, France, courtesy of Bostik.
This year’s panel of judges includes: Joanne Yong, senior vice president and principal of Wilson Associates' NY Studio; Jean-Gabriel Neukomm, principal at JG NEUKOMM Architecture; Rob Polacek, chief creative officer at Puccini Group; Joyen Vakil, senior vice president of design and development for MGM; Jake Lamstein, senior vice president and chief development officer at The Sydell Group; Michelle Finn, president of Hospitality Media Group; Scott Banda, director of marketing and business development for Bostik North America; and Ted Acworth, CEO and founder of Artaic.
For more information, visit designngather.com.
