Helping the homeless with a live art experience at Boutique Hotel Summit

Artwork created at Europe’s only b2b conference for the boutique and lifestyle hotel sectors to be donated to homelessness charity Centrepoint, Altitude London, May 21-22

Boutique Hotel Summit, Europe's only b2b boutique and lifestyle hotel conference, is delighted to announce that acclaimed artist Alex Echo will be creating one of his unique works at the event, as well as being a panelist on a seminar about art and design.

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Echo has devised a signature style of painting which has gained admirers around the world. Oprah Winfrey, Prince Rainier of Monaco, Elton John and former US president Jimmy Carter are among the collectors of his work, and one of his paintings was used by Sir Paul Smith as principal pattern for his women’s spring/summer 2011 collection.

The completed work will then be donated to London charity Centrepoint, the event’s official Supported Charity, which works with homeless young people in the capital and the north-east.

Event organiser Piers Brown said: “We’re very happy to welcome Alex to the conference to create one of his fantastic pieces, and even happier that the work will be donated to Centrepoint. Working in the high-end hospitality industry, it’s easy to take for granted the basic human needs of warmth and shelter, so we are glad to support a charity which does superb work in not only providing homeless people with a roof over their head, but also with the skills needed to transform their lives.”

Alex Echo said: “As an artist my connection with boutique hotels stems from a mutual aesthetic – an understanding of the unique and a desired "flight to quality". In my work as a painter, collage maker and sculptor, obviously each work is bespoke, and it is my sincere effort to create a unique experience for my client/collector, and to use the highest quality materials available. The unique and original design quest and the effort to create something of real value and quality is what has set my work apart from the commercial and the mundane - and this is the same mind set found in the creation of the Boutique Hotel industry. So it is a pleasure to be part of this like-minded conference.”

“What I am doing for Centrepoint is simply painting a painting. My work pales in comparison to the front line work done by the good people on the ground helping one another keep warm and dry for the night. I will be doing my best and putting my heart into it. I hope the value of what I create will be able to add a little ease and comfort to a fellow traveller on this planet. It is a privilege to give. The work of Centrepoint is crucial, at a grassroots level, to our society as a whole. As we raise each other up - then education follows, with education comes opportunity,” he added.

John Raynham, head of fundraising at Centrepoint, said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as the official charity for this year’s Boutique Hotel Summit. For many of the 80,000 young people who face homelessness every year, finding a safe place to stay each night is impossible. Centrepoint is determined to give more vulnerable 16-25 year-olds, not only the security of a room of their own, but also the support and guidance they need to move on to independent living. We can’t wait to see the piece that Alex Echo will create at the event and hope his work will inspire people to give their support.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Centrepoint

• Centrepoint is the leading charity for homeless young people aged 16-25.

• Centrepoint supports around 1,200 homeless young people a year providing accommodation-based and floating support services in London and the North East of England. These include emergency night shelters and accommodation-based short stay services, as well as specialist services for care leavers, ex-offenders, young single parents, foyers and supported flats.

• Centrepoint’s work is about more than just providing a safe bed for the night; Centrepoint helps young people to turn their lives around by gaining essential life skills; tackling their physical and mental health issues and moving into education or employment.

• Through policy work, Centrepoint aims to influence public policy, campaigning on behalf of the young people it supports and homeless young people throughout the UK.

• Founded in 1969, Centrepoint has helped more than 75,000 homeless young people.

• HRH The Duke of Cambridge became Centrepoint’s Patron in 2005.

For more information, please visit www.centrepoint.org.uk

04/04/12