Meet Artelo, the Kennett Square motel with arty twist

“Keep Going” by Mz. Icar Philadelphia, an anonymous art collective composed primarily of Black Women, attempts to embody the movement and energy of Harriet Tubman’s renowned motto. Photo by Rich Schwartzman

You don’t just check into a room at Artelo in Kennett Square. You check into an artwork.

The latest venture by Kennett Square’s Square Roots Collective, each of Artelo’s 14 room is decorated with a unique mural by a rea artist.

In Room No. 1, the mural is about the Underground Railroad, the mural is a collaborative work by several anonymous black women artists out of Philadelphia.

“We don’t know who they are, but they go by ‘MS. ICAR’ which is racism spelled backward,” said Greg Thompson of Voices Underground, who was touring guests during an open house Thursday night.

“They’re trying to undo racism with their art. They painted the black and white roadways showing the collaboration of the Underground Railroad, and the arrows showing movement. The letters spell out Keep Going, which was Harriet Tubman’s motto. This piece is called ‘Keep Going ‘ .”

“Augmented Abstractions” by Alloyius Mcilwaine of Philadelphia incorporates augmented reality features through the Artivive App, allowing viewers to experience time lapse footage of its creation and 3D animations. Photo by Rich Schwartzman

Room 14’s mural is dubbed “Augmented Abstractions” and painted by Alloyius Mcilwaine of Philadelphia, a self-taught artist who use acrylics and is known for his freestyle art.

He aims to transport viewers into an abstract universe using over lapping versions of his signature shapes, called “Kudoglyphs,” which symbolize positive affirmations like growth and passion, according to the hotel’s website.

Part of the fun in this room is that patrons can use the augmented reality features in the Artivive App to experience time lapse footage of its creation and 3D animations.

Murals in other rooms often depict native flora and fauna and most are designed to encourage the viewer to think about their lives in relation to bigger themes like racism, social justice, engrained institutions, nature and history.

Artelo, on Birch Street in Kennett Square, offers 14 rooms, each with a mural painted by a regional artist. Photo by Rich Schwartzman

Artelo’s heritage

Artelo is the new name for the former Birch Inn in Kennett Square and the latest venture by the Collective, which also owns The Creamery.

Both are on Birch Street in Kennett Square, and Artelo is part of the same property as Kennett’s Hank’s Place location.

The name addresses Artelo’s connection with art.

As Stephanie Almanza, the Collective’s project lead said, “It’s an immersive art experience in an operating motel.”

The art isn’t just pictures hanging on the wall. Any hotel or motel can do that.

The Birch Inn has been closed for about 10 years when the Collection  bought the property in 2016. At the request of Family Promise, the collaborative opened it to the homeless during the COVID pandemic.

Room No. 5 features “Personalized Museum” by Robert Jackson of Kennett Square. HIs depiction of contemporary art, labeled with dime store post-it notes created variances of famous works to bring the art world to the patron.

Almanza said reopening the motel was always on ownership’s mind, but they first wanted to get The Creamery up and running. It’s now a popular beer garden and community gathering space created in an old condensed milk factory site.

Square Roots is devoted to fostering community while also serving it, and is a collection of projects that are both nonprofit and for-profit. The company’s philosophy is to turn its profits back to the community, said Anthony Racaniello, Square Roots Collective marketing director.

“Artelo will continue its support for Family Promise’s efforts here on Birch Street with some homes we’ve rented,” Racaniello said. “That’s the bridge between the two. Artelo is a great place to stay with some fantastic art in each of the rooms, and the Creamery, of course, is a great community gathering space.

“And in both, for every dollar you spend for a night’s stay here or a beer and burger there goes back to the community.”

Some of that return to the community, he said, can be in the form of trails through Kennett Trail Alliance, or working with Family Promise or other programs such as Voices Underground, which endeavors to create racial healing through storytelling, especially about the Underground Railroad which ran through Kennett Square.

A stay at Artelo runs about $230 per night, which is competitive with other places in Kennett, Rancaniello said. Each room includes a king-size bed and a walk-in shower.

Booking will start Aug. 1 and must be done online . Artelo will not take reservations over the phone.

Room No. 7’s “Eco Mural 20: Wild Medicine” by Kala Hagopian of Philadelphia is part of a series designed to beautify blank walls and educate the public about environmental degradation while exploring cultural heritage through the study of medicinal plants. Photo by Rich Schwartzman

The website allows patrons to choose the room they want, and includes a brief description of the artwork in each room.

One visitor during the Thursday preview was wowed by the property.

Don Hoff, a friend of Square Roots Collective founder Mike Bontrager, said he was intrigued by each room.

“I think the uniqueness to each room, and the culture in each room is pretty amazing,” he said. “I want to stay one night in each room. I may make that a goal over time. And to think that one of the [murals] took six hours and another took six days, the diversity is amazing.”

STARTING THE DAY: Whether you favor simple or fancy food, here are 13 places to have breakfast at the beach

Pam Webster used to work for Square Roots Collective and is overjoyed by the project.

“It’s been an idea for such a long time and it’s so cool to see it come together and come to fruition,” she said. “Seeing the Square Roots Collective vision come true is really pleasing for me. The fact that this has come together just warms my heart.”