Spring 2015s edition of ONE Life magazine shines a light on world trends, culture and design as the award-winning, proprietary lifestyle publication of ONE Sothebys International Realty. Were blogging the unique content available in this exclusive publication. The third installation explores the Writers Room at The Betsey, a boutique hotel in South Beach. Well take a deeper look at the hidden landmark which connects artists to the local community.
Although it isnt an original sentiment (Henri Matisse said it a century ago), it does demonstrate the South Beach hotels commitment to nurturing and advancing the creative space in Miami. The aforementioned button, which is distributed to hotel guests as a tribal badge of sorts, is a calling card for The Betsys PACE program. This program centers on philanthropy, arts, culture and education, with a special focus on the literary arts.
For owner Jonathan Plutzik, cultural programming is not a gimmick or a way to stand out among the sleek hotels lining Ocean Drive. It is a passion ingrained long ago and a way to honor his own past. I come from a family of writers and artists, he says. We have a natural inclination to be supportive of the literary community.
Among those talented relatives is his father, Hyam Plutzik, a highly regarded poet and three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist who died in 1962 at age 51. Ive had the opportunity to connect with him through his writing, says Plutzik, who was 7 when he lost his father. I attach great power to the written word. It has a sense of immortality and longevity; it leaves a mark on the world.
In his fathers honorand as a tribute to others who shape words into art - Plutzik and his sister, Deborah Plutzik Briggs, established the Writers Room at The Betsy (betsywritersroom.com). The studio space serves as a creative retreat for writers and poets, both established and emerging, to stay and work, at no cost, for up to a week at a time. Writers have to apply to the program and, if accepted, agree to host a literary salona concept all but lost in modern timesduring which they can read their work or discuss their ideas among members of the community.
For us, says Plutzik, that engagement creates a multiplier effect around their presence. More than 250 writers, ranging from household names like Amy Tan to promising writers who have not yet been published, have been in residence in the Writers Room since its inception in 2012. Their accommodation: a small but well-appointed space with a foldout sofa, cork walls (for pinning ideas and inspiration), rows of books and Hyam Plutziks original writing desk.
As the only program of its kind in Miami, the Writers Room has received international attention and support, most notably from the Knight Foundation. A longstanding advocate of the arts, the Miami-based foundation provided a Knight Arts Challenge grant of $60,000 as start-up funding for the project. The Betsys latest nod comes from the Academy of American Poets, which partnered with the hotel to fund a residency program for winners of AAPs James Laughlin Award, given once a year.
The community will be invited to meet the award-winning poets during intimate gatherings at The Betsy, the most intriguing of which are hosted in the underground B Bar, whose mirrored ceilings, moody lighting and art-filled light boxes give it a vibe thats part funhouse, part twenties speakeasy. Now in its fourth season, the Writers Room is booking residencies for 2016 and beyond. The demand, Plutzik says, has skyrocketed.
In response, The Betsy will unveil a second Writers Room as part of its expansion, which will be complete in late 2016. In the meantime, Miamians will continue to experience the talent of writers and poets of diverse backgrounds. We celebrate diversity in every possible way it can be measured, says Plutzik. Ethnicity, gender, language, sexual orientation, race...We want to connect with communities of all kinds.
One recent artist-in-residence performance that stands out for Plutzik was a public event featuring writer David Mills, during which Mills recited the work of African-American poet Langston Hughes, in honor of Black History Month. To say Mills brought down the house is an understatement. On reflection, Plutzik says, it was tremendously powerful. I amand everyone present isso lucky to have this opportunity to regularly connect with poets and writers on such an intimate level. I am proud of the way the hotel has devoted energy and space to this exercise.
- Click here to see the full issue.
The raison detre of The Betsy can be summed up by three words emblazoned on a small, turquoise button: Creativity takes courage.
Spring 2015s edition of ONE Life magazine shines a light on world trends, culture and design as the award-winning, proprietary lifestyle publication of ONE Sothebys International Realty. Were blogging the unique content available in this exclusive publication. The third installation explores the Writers Room at The Betsey, a boutique hotel in South Beach. Well take a deeper look at the hidden landmark which connects artists to the local community.
The raison detre of The Betsy can be summed up by three words emblazoned on a small, turquoise button: Creativity takes courage.
Although it isnt an original sentiment (Henri Matisse said it a century ago), it does demonstrate the South Beach hotels commitment to nurturing and advancing the creative space in Miami. The aforementioned button, which is distributed to hotel guests as a tribal badge of sorts, is a calling card for The Betsys PACE program, which centers on philanthropy, arts, culture and education, with a special focus on the literary arts.
For owner Jonathan Plutzik, cultural programming is not a gimmick or a way to stand out among the sleek hotels lining Ocean Drive. It is a passion ingrained long ago and a way to honor his own past. I come from a family of writers and artists, he says. We have a natural inclination to be supportive of the literary community.
Among those talented relatives is his father, Hyam Plutzik, a highly regarded poet and three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist who died in 1962 at age 51. Ive had the opportunity to connect with him through his writing, says Plutzik, who was 7 when he lost his father. I attach great power to the written word. It has a sense of immortality and longevity; it leaves a mark on the world.
In his fathers honorand as a tribute to others who shape words into artPlutzik and his sister, Deborah Plutzik Briggs, established the Writers Room at The Betsy (betsywritersroom.com). The studio space serves as a creative retreat for writers and poets, both established and emerging, to stay and work, at no cost, for up to a eek at a time. Writers have to apply to the program and, if accepted, agree to host a literary salona concept all but lost in modern timesduring which they can read their work or discuss their ideas among members of the community.
For us, says Plutzik, that engagement creates a multiplier effect around their presence.
More than 250 writers, ranging from household names like Amy Tan to promising writers who have not yet been published, have been in residence in the Writers Room since its inception in 2012. Their accommodation: a small but well-appointed space with a foldout sofa, cork walls (for pinning ideas and inspiration), rows of books and Hyam Plutziks original writing desk.
As the only program of its kind in Miami, the Writers Room has received international attention and support, most notably from the Knight Foundation. A longstanding advocate of the arts, the Miami-based foundation provided a Knight Arts Challenge grant of $60,000 as start-up funding for the project.
The Betsys latest nod comes from the Academy of American Poets, which partnered with the hotel to fund a residency program for winners of AAPs James Laughlin Award, given once a year. The community will be invited to meet the award-winning poets during intimate gatherings at The Betsy, the most intriguing of which are hosted in the underground B Bar, whose mirrored ceilings, moody lighting and art-filled light boxes give it a vibe thats part funhouse, part twenties speakeasy.
Now in its fourth season, the Writers Room is booking residencies for 2016 and beyond. The demand, Plutzik says, has skyrocketed. In response, The Betsy will unveil a second Writers Room as part of its expansion, which will be complete in late 2016.
In the meantime, Miamians will continue to experience the talent of writers and poets of diverse backgrounds. We celebrate diversity in every possible way it can be measured, says Plutzik. Ethnicity, gender, language, sexual orientation, race...We want to connect with communities of all kinds.
One recent artist-in-residence performance that stands out for Plutzik was a public event featuring writer David Mills, during which Mills recited the work of African-American poet Langston Hughes, in honor of Black History Month. To say Mills brought down the house is an understatement.
On reflection, Plutzik says, it was tremendously powerful. I amand everyone present isso lucky to have this opportunity to regularly connect with poets and writers on such an intimate level. I am proud of the way the hotel has devoted energy and space to this exercise.
Click here to see the full issue.
To subscribe to ONE LIFE Magazine click here.
Spring 2015s edition of ONE Life magazine shines a light on world trends, culture and design as the award-winning, proprietary lifestyle publication of ONE Sothebys International Realty. Were blogging the unique content available in this exclusive publication. The third installation explores the Writers Room at The Betsey, a boutique hotel in South Beach. Well take a deeper look at the hidden landmark which connects artists to the local community.
The raison detre of The Betsy can be summed up by three words emblazoned on a small, turquoise button: Creativity takes courage.
Although it isnt an original sentiment (Henri Matisse said it a century ago), it does demonstrate the South Beach hotels commitment to nurturing and advancing the creative space in Miami. The aforementioned button, which is distributed to hotel guests as a tribal badge of sorts, is a calling card for The Betsys PACE program, which centers on philanthropy, arts, culture and education, with a special focus on the literary arts.
For owner Jonathan Plutzik, cultural programming is not a gimmick or a way to stand out among the sleek hotels lining Ocean Drive. It is a passion ingrained long ago and a way to honor his own past. I come from a family of writers and artists, he says. We have a natural inclination to be supportive of the literary community.
Among those talented relatives is his father, Hyam Plutzik, a highly regarded poet and three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist who died in 1962 at age 51. Ive had the opportunity to connect with him through his writing, says Plutzik, who was 7 when he lost his father. I attach great power to the written word. It has a sense of immortality and longevity; it leaves a mark on the world.
In his fathers honorand as a tribute to others who shape words into artPlutzik and his sister, Deborah Plutzik Briggs, established the Writers Room at The Betsy (betsywritersroom.com). The studio space serves as a creative retreat for writers and poets, both established and emerging, to stay and work, at no cost, for up to a week at a time. Writers have to apply to the program and, if accepted, agree to host a literary salona concept all but lost in modern timesduring which they can read their work or discuss their ideas among members of the community.
For us, says Plutzik, that engagement creates a multiplier effect around their presence.
More than 250 writers, ranging from household names like Amy Tan to promising writers who have not yet been published, have been in residence in the Writers Room since its inception in 2012. Their accommodation: a small but well-appointed space with a foldout sofa, cork walls (for pinning ideas and inspiration), rows of books and Hyam Plutziks original writing desk.
As the only program of its kind in Miami, the Writers Room has received international attention and support, most notably from the Knight Foundation. A longstanding advocate of the arts, the Miami-based foundation provided a Knight Arts Challenge grant of $60,000 as start-up funding for the project.
The Betsys latest nod comes from the Academy of American Poets, which partnered with the hotel to fund a residency program for winners of AAPs James Laughlin Award, given once a year. The community will be invited to meet the award-winning poets during intimate gatherings at The Betsy, the most intriguing of which are hosted in the underground B Bar, whose mirrored ceilings, moody lighting and art-filled light boxes give it a vibe thats part funhouse, part twenties speakeasy.
Now in its fourth season, the Writers Room is booking residencies for 2016 and beyond. The demand, Plutzik says, has skyrcketed. In response, The Betsy will unveil a second Writers Room as part of its expansion, which will be complete in late 2016.
In the meantime, Miamians will continue to experience the talent of writers and poets of diverse backgrounds. We celebrate diversity in every possible way it can be measured, says Plutzik. Ethnicity, gender, language, sexual orientation, race...We want to connect with communities of all kinds.
One recent artist-in-residence performance that stands out for Plutzik was a public event featuring writer David Mills, during which Mills recited the work of African-American poet Langston Hughes, in honor of Black History Month. To say Mills brought down the house is an understatement.
On reflection, Plutzik says, it was tremendously powerful. I amand everyone present isso lucky to have this opportunity to regularly connect with poets and writers on such an intimate level. I am proud of the way the hotel has devoted energy and space to this exercise.
Click here to see the full issue.
To subscribe to ONE LIFE Magazine click here.
Spring 2015s edition of ONE Life magazine shines a light on world trends, culture and design as the award-winning, proprietary lifestyle publication of ONE Sothebys International Realty. Were blogging the unique content available in this exclusive publication. The third installation explores the Writers Room at The Betsey, a boutique hotel in South Beach. Well take a deeper look at the hidden landmark which connects artists to the local community.
The raison detre of The Betsy can be summed up by three words emblazoned on a small, turquoise button: Creativity takes courage.
Although it isnt an original sentiment (Henri Matisse said it a century ago), it does demonstrate the South Beach hotels commitment to nurturing and advancing the creative space in Miami. The aforementioned button, which is distributed to hotel guests as a tribal badge of sorts, is a calling card for The Betsys PACE program, which centers on philanthropy, arts, culture and education, with a special focus on the literary arts.
For owner Jonathan Plutzik, cultural programming is not a gimmick or a way to stand out among the sleek hotels lining Ocean Drive. It is a passion ingrained long ago and a way to honor his own past. I come from a family of writers and artists, he says. We have a natural inclination to be supportive of the literary community.
Among those talented relatives is his father, Hyam Plutzik, a highly regarded poet and three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist who died in 1962 at age 51. Ive had the opportunity to connect with him through his writing, says Plutzik, who was 7 when he lost his father. I attach great power to the written word. It has a sense of immortality and longevity; it leaves a mark on the world.
In his fathers honorand as a tribute to others who shape words into artPlutzik and his sister, Deborah Plutzik Briggs, established the Writers Room at The Betsy (betsywritersroom.com). The studio space serves as a creative retreat for writers and poets, both established and emerging, to stay and work, at no cost, for up to a week at a time. Writers have to apply to the program and, if accepted, agree to host a literary salona concept all but lost in modern timesduring which they can read their work or discuss their ideas among members of the community.
For us, says Plutzik, that engagement creates a multiplier effect around their presence.
More than 250 writers, ranging from household names like Amy Tan to promising writers who have not yet been published, have been in residence in the Writers Room since its inception in 2012. Their accommodation: a small but well-appointed space with a foldout sofa, cork walls (for pinning ideas and inspiration), rows of books and Hyam Plutziks original writing desk.
As the only program of its kind in Miami, the Writers Room has received international attention and support, most notably from the Knight Foundation. A longstanding advocate of the arts, the Miami-based foundation provided a Knight Arts Challenge grant of $60,000 as start-up funding for the project.
The Betsys latest nod comes from the Academy of American Poets, which partnered with the hotel to fund a residency program for winners of AAPs James Laughlin Award, given once a year. The community will be invited to meet the award-winning poets during intimate gatherings at The Betsy, the most intriguing of which are hosted in the underground B Bar, whose mirrored ceilings, moody lighting and art-filled light boxes give it a vibe thats part funhouse, part twenties speakeasy.
Now in its fourth season, the Writers Room is booking residencies for 2016 and beyond. The demand, Plutzik says, has skyrocketed. In response, The Betsy will unveil a second Writers Room as part of its expansion, which will be complete in late 2016.
In the meantime, Miamians will continue to experience the talent of writers and poets of diverse backgrounds. We celebrate diversity in every possible way it can be measured, says Plutzik. Ethnicity, gender, language, sexual orientation, race...We want to connect with communities of all kinds.
One recent artist-in-residence performance that stands out for Plutzik was a public event featuring writer David Mills, during which Mills recited the work of African-American poet Langston Hughes, in honor of Black History Month. To say Mills brought down the house is an understatement.
On reflection, Plutzik says, it was tremendously powerful. I amand everyone present isso lucky to have this opportunity to regularly connect with poets and writers on such an intimate level. I am proud of the way the hotel has devoted energy and space to this exercise.
Click here to see the full issue.
To subscribe to ONE LIFE Magazine click here.
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