Floral Reverie - Unveiling the Hidden Canvas of Rachel Morrissey

June 21, 2024

Exploring Life, Love, and Lupus Through Vibrant Narratives at The Colony Hotel Palm Beach with Voltz Clarke Gallery

Rachel Morrissey created her newest body of colorfully saturated narrative paintings with the Colony Hotel in mind. With BLOOM, Morrissey melds imaginary, strange, and inventive flowers with truthful depictions of Florida’s native fruits and fauna. Using themes of motherhood, mental health, and, more recently, life with Lupus, Morrissey employs organic forms to convey her daily experiences enticingly.



Her diagnosis, although life-altering, was not surprising as she is no stranger to invisible struggles. Lupus, as intense and destructive as it is, is not always visible to the onlooker, just as her plants and flowers appear joyous and full of life, but a subtle tension lurks beneath the surface. Morrissey is fascinated by the way plant forms have the uncanny ability to tell stories and depict emotions through the simplest of gestures. She paints extremely saturated scenes that seduce the viewer, and only after second and third glances do the duplicities of the vegetation emerge. Hidden within the exuberant and joyous scenes are suffocating vines, signs of decay, and unwelcome mutations.


Morrissey envisioned a new world within each canvas for this exhibition, presenting a fresh cast of plants and flowers. She underscores the parallels between the splendor of the Florida coast, which is continually threatened and at risk, with the tantalizing beauty of her original works. Born in the late 80s in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Rachel Morrissey grew up in Connecticut and received her MFA in 2016 from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She earned a Post-Baccalaureate degree from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in 2014 and a BFA in Studio Art from Indiana University in 2009. Morrissey is a mother of two young children and currently lives and works in Medfield, Massachusetts. This is her second show with Voltz Clarke Gallery and her first at The Colony Hotel.


The Colony Palm Beach | Voltz Clarke Gallery Collaboration invites hotel guests, visitors, and locals alike to explore a rotating selection of fine art at the iconic property steps from Worth Avenue and the Atlantic Ocean. As guardians of a treasured icon, The Colony Palm Beach faithfully preserves its legacy of gracious hospitality while ensuring continued relevance to a new generation of modern, well-traveled, and discerning guests. The 93-room property offers unique, curated experiences for guests of all ages delivered with best-in-class ultra boutique service. Much more than a hotel, The Colony is a state of mind – a place to connect meaningfully and authentically with one of the world’s most storied destinations, steps from Worth Avenue and the Atlantic Ocean. Aware of The Colony’s singular place in the hearts of long-time Palm Beachers, the hotel is dedicated to maintaining a rich tradition of culinary excellence and sophisticated entertainment in a vibrant social setting that is both welcoming and refreshingly unpretentious. Visit voltzclarke.com


April 18, 2025
Nantucket, with its misty harbors, salt-kissed breezes, and centuries-old charm, has always been a place where history whispers through every weathered shingle and cobblestone street. This spring, one of the island’s most beloved landmarks, the Veranda House, will once again welcome guests, rising from the ashes of a devastating 2022 fire that necessitated a complete rebuild. Set to reopen in spring 2025, the new Veranda House is a masterpiece of restoration and reinvention. Owned by Procaccianti Companies and managed by TPG Hotels & Resorts as part of the Nantucket Resort Collection, the rebuild was meticulously overseen in collaboration with the town and historic district commission to ensure that the property retained its original federal-style elegance while incorporating modern luxuries and state-of-the-art amenities. First built in 1684, the Veranda House has stood as a symbol of Nantucket’s rich maritime legacy, its wraparound porches offering a front-row seat to the island’s ever-changing seascape. The new design remains true to its original size, scale, and architectural character, seamlessly blending historic integrity with contemporary comforts. Guests will find spa-like ensuite baths in every room, featuring Carrara marble, custom fixtures, and sleek walk-in showers—a nod to modern indulgence without sacrificing classic charm. The 19 redesigned rooms, including the Grand Harborview King with its private balcony and fireplace, exude an intimate, serene luxury. Expanded outdoor gathering spaces now offer even more opportunities for guests to soak in the island’s ambiance, whether sipping coffee at sunrise or toasting the golden hour over Nantucket Harbor. “This reopening marks a significant mile- stone, not just for Veranda House, but for the entire Nantucket community. We are deeply thankful for the community’s unwavering support in bringing this iconic property back to life,” says Paul Hitselberger, EVP of Operations for TPG Hotels & Resorts. The Veranda House is not just a recon- struction—it’s a resurrection, a tribute to Nantucket’s ability to endure, evolve, and enchant. Its doors reopen as a beacon of timeless hospitality, welcoming travelers to a place where history is honored, and every detail—from the breezy verandas to the handcrafted interiors—tells a story. For those who love Nantucket, the Veranda House is a homecoming. Images courtesy of The Veranda House.
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