2021 AWARD RECIPIENT

Mitch Patel

Mitch Patel, CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, has always been passionate about the arts. Growing up in Cleveland, Tennessee, Mitch cultivated his appreciation and skill in the visual arts in high school. While he did not pursue a career in the arts, his love for them has never waned.

Now as a successful hotelier, Mitch has sought out as many ways as possible to support and advocate for the arts through his businesses, especially our local craftsmen, makers, and artisans. Whether serving on the ArtsBuild Board, working to support public art programs, contributing to local arts organizations like SPLASH Youth Arts Workshop, or featuring local art in his hotels, he has consistently worked to elevate the arts in Chattanooga and help build a stronger community.

The first hotel to feature local art was the Hampton Inn & Suites downtown with its two exterior mosaics, one on 4th Street and one on Chestnut Street created by Chattanooga artist Terry Cannon using materials found on the site where the hotel was being constructed. When the opportunity arose to develop The Edwin Hotel, Mitch wanted to center the hotel around art. He curated a collection of more than 200 pieces exclusively from Chattanooga artists—the largest known collection of Chattanooga art. With the goal of elevating the local art scene, he aspired to educate visitors on the art and added QR codes that lead guests to the websites for the artists. Mitch says he is especially happy that for some of the artists featured in The Edwin, it is the first time their work has been seen publicly. As the hotel receives more visitors from across the country and around the world, Chattanooga’s artists are getting exposure to an international audience. In addition to the gallery-like experience at The Edwin, the hotel has ongoing programs like an on-site artist of the month.

The newest hotel—Kinley Chattanooga on the Southside—features a 1,575 square-foot mural by Alecia Vera Buckles and Briah Gober. In fact, all the art in the hotel is by local female artists. The spirit at both The Edwin and Kinley is to engage not only with travelers,
but also to create a space where locals are welcome. A blurring of the line between hotel lobby and the neighborhood serves to create a welcoming community-centered space with local art on full display.

Mitch has truly uplifted the profile of the arts and artists in Chattanooga in a way that builds pride and makes our community stronger.