The Pfister Hotel announced today that Nicole Acosta, a proud first-generation Mexican American and Milwaukee-based visual artist, storyteller, and photographer, will serve as the 14th Artist in Residence.

Acosta will begin work in The Pfister Hotel’s lobby-level artist studio on April 1, 2023. She will succeed current Pfister Artist in Residence and illustrator, Christopher T. Wood.

As Artist in Residence, Acosta will collect oral and written stories from Pfister guests and the Milwaukee community through film and photography. She will also host open sessions inviting the Milwaukee community to be photographed for the project.

“I’ve long aspired to be in a space with incredible access to the public. My work is all about helping people tell their stories through art and what better place to do that than at The Pfister Hotel," says Acosta. "The quantity and diversity of the hotel guests and the community will help me develop as an artist while entertaining so many guests with my art.”

In addition to her photographic work, Acosta is a painter, dancer and storyteller with a professional background in marketing. She is a member of Latinas Unidas en las Artes (LUNA), an organization dedicated to empowering Latinx artists in Milwaukee.

Acosta is currently working on a project, HOOPS, which is gaining national recognition for its representation of Latinx roots, rituals and spirituality. The project is also currently being made into a stage production with the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Acosta intends to expand the project during her time as The Pfister’s Artist in Residence by creating the first edition of a HOOPS coffee table book.

“After starting the HOOPS project in 2019 without a name or goal besides sharing personal stories of what hoop earrings mean to so many, I am so proud of what the project has become,” said Acosta.

Milwaukee community members are invited to join The Pfister in welcoming Acosta during Spring Gallery Night MKE on April 21, 2023. Her artwork will be on display in The Pfister Hotel’s Artist in Residence Studio where she will be available to talk about her latest project, her process and her vision for the Artist in Residence program.

“We are excited to welcome Nicole to The Pfister’s Artist in Residence Studio and look forward to seeing how she will tell our guests’ stories through her photography," said Brandon Drusch, managing director of The Pfister Hotel.

More information about Acosta’s work can be found at www.atsocanicole.com. For more information on The Pfister Hotel’s Artist in Residence program, please visit: www.thepfisterhotel.com/artist-in-residence.