Today’s Forecast

36º | Sunny and windy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:29 a.m. | Sunset: 5:33 p.m.

🎨 Rooms with lots to view

West Salem Art Hotel surrounds guests with unique creations

Thompson got input from friends on the design for the VHS Suite. | Photo by WStoday

Hotel or museum? West Salem Art Hotel is both. Creations inside the short-term rental units at 912 Albert St. are designed to delight guests during their stay — and can be purchased to leave with them.

Haydee Thompson is the hotel’s owner + interior designer. The graduate of UNC School of the Arts opened the first art hotel above Krankies Coffee, and relocated to the West Salem neighborhood during the pandemic. After renovations were complete, the artist curated items and art for each space.

“That’s the fun part. What can you — how do you reuse this stuff to make it look like it’s always meant to be there?” Thompson said.

She works with artists, many of whom are personal friends, to make each room come to life. Let’s take a tour:

The Rose Room

Greensboro mural artist Gina Franco painted the flowers that adorn the walls of the downstairs apartment. Thompson made the lamps above the bed. Liz Simmons’ “Vulture Series” is displayed + for sale.

hair dryer with "blown away" metal. — What you’ll be when you see art for sale like this Nicole Uzzell piece.
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Photo by WStoday

The Art/partment

The Art/partment’s entryway leads into a living room where National Geographic photographer Greg Vore’s “India” collection is featured. There is also a full kitchen, king-size bed, and full bathroom with pieces from Thompson’s personal art collection on display.

The Parisian Suite

Located upstairs off the gallery, the Parisian Suite is a private bedroom with blue walls. Thompson made the bathroom sink vanity using flowers from a flower farm next door to the hotel.

Bedroom with blue walls, white bed with yellow blankets. — Guests gain access to rooms at West Salem Art Hotel by keypad using a unique code.
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Photo by WStoday

The VHS Suite

The newly completed suite comes complete with a VCR where you can watch bootleg films. Local artist Tegan Rae created the bed canopy and giant light in the dressing room.

All guests have access to a shared gallery space, kitchen, and outdoor solarium. Thompson is working on two additional rooms upstairs to open in March. The hotel will host its first live performance in the gallery on Saturday, Jan. 20.

Brighten your stay

Events

Friday, Jan. 19

Latin Dance Night | Friday, Jan. 19 | 9 p.m. | Pink Moon Cafe, 848 W. 5th St., Winston-Salem | $10-$22 | Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to let loose with the rhythms of Latin music.
“The Mountaintop” | Friday, Jan. 19-Sunday, Jan. 21 | Times vary | Mountcastle Forum, 251 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem | $15-$29 | The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem presents the play by Katori Hall, told from the perspective of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he reflects on his life.

Saturday, Jan. 20

A Staged Reading of “Cadillac High” | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 7 p.m. | Camel City Playhouse, 110 W. 7th St., Winston-Salem | Free | The reading will tell the tale of the opioid epidemic from Big Pharma’s point of view.
Decoda | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | University of North Carolina School of the Arts, 1533 S. Main St., Winston-Salem | $20-$25 | The ensemble will perform selections that span centuries.
“gOD-Talk” Documentary Screening and Discussion | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 2 p.m. | Byrum Welcome Center Auditorium, Wake Forest University, 1580 Wake Forest Rd., Winston-Salem | Free | Screen the documentary that delves into the lives and spirituality of seven individuals with diverse religious backgrounds — a discussion and reception will follow.

Sunday, Jan. 21

Women’s Basketball vs. Notre Dame | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 2-5 p.m. | Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem | $5-$10 | The lady Demon Deacons take on the Fighting Irish at home.
Lesser Known Beer Dinner | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 6-9 p.m. | Lesser-Known Beer Company, 901 S. Broad St., Winston-Salem | $76 | Enjoy a dinner inspired by the different flavors and styles of European beers.
“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” | Sunday, Jan. 21 | Times vary | Reynolds Place Theatre, 251 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem | $16-$19 | Red Door Drama Society presents the tale of a toy rabbit on a journey of love and loss.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Biz

Winston-Salem-based Lowes Foods is continuing its expansion in the Carolinas. The grocer announced it plans to open stores in Waxhaw, NC and Lexington, SC.

Open

The Frame is booking clients for its new space at 501 W. 4th St. Memberships to the natural light photography studio + creative space are also available.

Drink

Taste Italian red wines + exclusive Spanish wine tonight, Jan. 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 6th and Vine. The event is free.

Shop

Shop from local artists, makers, and small businesses on Saturday, Jan. 20 at Hanes Mall. The small biz market will be set up in the North and South common areas between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

History

Graylyn has announced its next six Tour Pour du Jour dates — and the first one is this Sunday, Jan. 21. For $25, visitors can travel back in time as butlers share behind-the-scenes history and architectural highlights of the historic estate. Reservations required.

Number

~$427,000. That’s how much the 19th annual Cheers! for Brenner Children’s Hospital raised to help patients and their families. The hospital serves over 66,000 children from 19 counties and four states each year. (Triad Business Journal)

Finance

Erasing interest on purchases and balance transfers into 2025 can really make a difference. Throw in no annual fee, and there’s no wonder why thousands are lining up for these cards.*

Food

It’s ~~chilly~~ chili weather

Put your chili to the test at Foothill’s second annual Chili Edition Throwdown

woman in apron standing at table with crockpot of chili.

Give your chili a name so it’s easy to remember. | Photo courtesy of Foothills Brewing

Think your chili recipe is the best in Winston-Salem? Let the judges decide on Sunday, Jan. 28.

Foothills is hosting its second annual Beat Chef Shane: Chili Edition Throwdown from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Tasting Room (3800 Kimwell Dr.).

The competition is open to amateur cooks who think their pot can beat the recipe served at the pub. Your creation can be mild, hot, and with or without beans. You’ll enter it in one of four categories:

Traditional pub chili
Texas chili
White chili
Vegetarian chili

Chili cooks must pay $25 to enter + sign up by Thursday, Jan. 25. You’ll need to bring your own table, heating device, and enough servings for 200 people to taste. Be sure to list possible allergies.

If you’d rather eat than cook, wristbands will be sold for $5 at the door. Taste testers can vote for the People’s Choice winner — and sample as many recipes as you can eat.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambridge

From the editor

Another perk of West Salem Art Hotel is that it’s steps from West Salem Public House. Guests can walk around the corner to grab a specialty coffee, wine, or draft beer.

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