THE ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Five-star, heritage-listed luxury hotel, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, is celebrating a momentous 20-years partnering with the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The hotel has created a range of new, unique offers and exclusive experiences, including an art-inspired high tea and artfully curated stay packages to commemorate the Archibald Prize 2023. For the past two decades, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has proudly worked with the Art Gallery of NSW, as its official hotel partner, to sponsor the art institutions’ major programs and exhibitions, including Australia’s most engaging annual art event, the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes.
“We are thrilled and honoured to celebrate 20 years of an exceptional partnership with the Art Gallery of NSW. This significant milestone fills us with immense pride as we reflect on two decades of providing cultural enrichment and entertainment to our valued guests, elevating their experiences during their visits to Sydney.
Renowned as the “Hotel of the Arts”, we couldn't be prouder to partner with the Art Gallery NSW and its commitment to artistic excellence which has become an integral part of our hotel's identity, creating a seamless fusion of art and hospitality.
We are truly excited to continue our support for this incredible partnership and extend our deepest gratitude to the Art Gallery of NSW for their continuous dedication, vision, and tireless efforts in fostering the arts.” Sam Panetta, General Manager.
Each year, the highly anticipated Archibald Prize for portrait painting famously inspires Sofitel's pastry team to create a new art-inspired High Tea. In honour of this years’ exhibition, which opened on May 6, the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth’s High Tea experience is influenced by the Packing Room Prize 2023 winning portrait, Clown jewels – by first-time Archibald Prize finalist, Cairns-based artist Andrea Huelin, featuring her subject Cal Wilson, an Aotearoa New Zealand-born, Melbourne-based stand-up comedian. The Archibald-inspired High Tea menu takes inspiration from the colourful and joyous painting whilst marrying traditional high tea treats with fanciful French touches. Running from June 17 – September 3, the Archibald-inspired High Tea will be served in the regal Velvet Room, located on level 5, and is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm – 3pm.
This years’ limited-edition High Tea menu, features savoury bites and minis, including Tasmanian smoked salmon blinis with finger lime and crème fraiche; quiche with smoked duck and porcini; classic French-style chicken pithivier; wasabi pea petit chou and caviar; and slow roasted truffle beef mini baguette, followed by traditional scones with house-made strawberry jam. A final tier of petit fours, cakes and pastries focus including Archibald Prize finalist and Packing Room Prize 2023 winner, Andrea Huelin Clown jewels © white chocolate and sweet delights such as classic Opera cake; jewel-coloured macaron made in-house with delicate flavourings; the Sofitel Sydney’s signature Wentworth cheesecake; French ‘religieuse’ crème pâtissière-filled choux pastry flavoured with raspberry; Bordeaux-style vanilla cannelé; and finger lime lemon meringue petite tarte.
High Tea at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is complemented by an assortment of premium Silver Jubilee by Dilmah teas and priced at $69 per person. As a celebrated ambassador of culturally inspired Parisian experiences, Sofitel invites Sydneysiders and guests to turn their high tea into an ‘Art de Vivre’ moment by adding bottomless sparkling ‘Bulles’ (French for bubbly) for an additional $20 per person. Plus, the first 100 guests to book in for the Archibald-inspired High Tea will also receive complimentary tickets to the Archibald Prize 2023.
For an ultra-immersive Archibald-experience, spend time in the hotels’ grand lobby where previous winners’ portraits from the past 20-years will be on display for all to enjoy. Entry to the lobby is free and accessible for everyone.
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is also offering an exclusive, artfully curated Cultural Getaway package designed to amplify your stay in Sydney whilst the Archibald Prize 2023 is on display at the Art Gallery of NSW. The package, offered for a limited time only, features overnight accommodation with complimentary upgrade to a superior room and luxury Balmain Paris amenities, two tickets to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2023 exhibition, plus two welcome drinks at the hotels’ chic Soirée Bar and buffet breakfast for two at the Court Garden Restaurant. Prices start at $370 AUD.
The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth will continue to celebrate its’ 20-year partnership with the Art Gallery of NSW later this year with new offers and experiences in store for summer when the Sydney International Art Series brings the works of two of the world’s greatest artists – Louise Bourgeois and Vasily Kandinsky – to Sydney.