STINGAREE REIMAGINED
A Bold Fusion of San Diego’s Grit and Glamour
The Stingaree District—once the heart of San Diego’s wild and untamed nightlife—lives on in legend.
A place of intrigue, shadowy rendezvous, and rebellious spirit, it shaped the city’s underbelly while
leaving a lasting mark on its cultural history. For the Marriott San Diego, Decora International
proposes a bold, sophisticated artistic narrative: a contemporary homage to this storied past,
where history meets modern elegance.
EXPLORING THEMES
New Visions of a Storied Past
The Stingaree district of San Diego has such a rich and gritty history, yet it can be translated into something upscale and intriguing for a Marriott setting. The goal is to nod to the past--the era of saloons, gambling halls, and speakeasies--while keeping it refined, cool, and modern.
CLICK ANY PANEL BELOW TO ENLARGE
THEMES TO CONSIDER
ART STYLES & MEDIUMS
COLOR PALETTE
THE ARTISTIC VISION
We propose a curated collection of art that subtly nods to Stingaree’s notorious past,
blending its raw history with a refined, contemporary aesthetic. The artwork will be designed to evoke emotion and curiosity—not simply decoration, but an immersive experience.
WHY DECORA?
Decora International is a world-renowned artist collective specializing in creating museum-quality, narrative-driven hospitality art. With experience crafting bespoke installations for elite hotels worldwide, our team understands how to translate history into a visually striking, meaningful experience. Let’s bring Stingaree’s history back to life—elevated, sophisticated, and unforgettable.
THE VISUALS
Below are some preliminary sketches that give life to the above theme concepts … a mix of digital mockups showcasing murals, neon elements, and layered storytelling pieces.
"Lilies of the Night" is a bespoke Artography series, inspired by and specifically conceived for this Marriott project. These works would be masterfully crafted to embody the allure and enigma of the Gaslight Quarter’s golden age. Ornately framed these images will blur the line between reality and reverie, evoking the presence of figures—most often women—who exist just beyond the veil of clarity. Hints of secrecy and forbidden pleasures emerge in shadowy glimpses, where the suggestion of poker cards, dice, and other ephemeral relics transport the viewer to another era. Yet, the imagery remains intentionally elusive, allowing the imagination to wander, for what is unseen often holds more power than what is revealed.
"Lilies of the Night "
Art Concept & Direction: Christian Wolfe Art Production: Tyler Nilson and Christian Wolfe
CLICK ABOVE TO ENLARGE
ABOVE: A sketch of a series conceived specifically for this project—entitled: "Lilies of the Night"—which are epic-scale framed "Artography" prints placed strategically in unexpected locations. Whether positioned around a corner or in a shadowed alcove, these pieces heighten the sense of secrecy, surprise, and mischief.
​
Each composition is an abstract interplay of light and form, subtly evoking themes of femme fatale intrigue, clandestine romance, and untold stories—never fully revealed, yet undeniably felt. While they carry a whisper of seduction, each impeccable design will stand as a timeless work of classical art.
​
Dramatic lighting—possibly even backlit—enhances their presence, drawing the eye within darkened spaces—tucked into corners, positioned near elevator exits, or hidden just beyond a turn—moments waiting to be discovered.
​​
​LEFT & BELOW: These illuminated portrayals have enticing power—here, placed at the end of a hallway, emulating the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE >
"What this project calls for is a high-class version of steampunk debauchery."
~ Tyler Nilson / Decora Photographer & Designer
The following concepts showcase potential artwork for other public areas, such as entrance, lobby walkways, the restaurant, bar—including the suites themselves.
BAR MURAL
Playing with the concept of a whimsical collaged-art mural, I envisioned a piece that transitions the theme from a seedy, city life of vice to a more mythical interpretation that broadens its appeal. By shifting the figure from a prostitute to a siren, the artwork takes on a timeless, enchanting quality while still maintaining hints of the gritty, old-world charm of gambling, liquor, and seduction.
​
To explore this further, I experimented with AI to visualize how these elements might come together, but what you see below isn’t the exact image I had in mind. As such, I’ve incorporated a few additional items like a compass, dice, and a sea shell, along with a whimsical touch—sting rays soaring through the clouds—to further emphasize the mythical and playful nature of the mural. At the bottom, I added a scroll to introduce an element of mystery and history—or, perhaps showing the title.
​
While this is merely a hint of the finished concept, I believe it captures the essence of the vision—a blend of whimsy, myth, and a touch of that gritty, alluring city life. Ultimately, the final design will be realized through collaboration between myself and master collage artist Silas Toball, ensuring a truly captivating piece.
​
The working title for this mural concept is "Salt & Sin", which encapsulates the seductive allure of the sea, the edge of temptation, and the spirited energy of the city. It’s a mural designed to be a conversation piece—a fantastical, immersive journey that will draw in every viewer, even the ones sipping alone at the bar.
" Salt & Sin "
HISTORICAL ART #1
We’ve curated a rich collection of vintage photographs from the Stingaree/Gaslight Quarter era, transforming them through our signature editing process into art that feels like a window to the past. The result is an immersive experience—like stepping through a portal in time.
" Time Portals "
CLICK IMAGE ABOVE TO ENLARGE
Our extensive library holds a wealth of authentic images from this notorious era.
_.jpg)
HISTORICAL ART #2
Historic newspaper clippings from the Stingaree era provide a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the district’s notorious past—before its transformation into today’s refined Gaslamp Quarter. By weaving these authentic snippets into artwork, we create immersive collages that capture the grit, intrigue, and untamed spirit of the time, preserving its history in a bold and visually compelling way.
​
Concept: Erin Kennedy / Artistic Direction: Christian Wolfe
" Extra! Extra! "
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
GRAPHIC MOTIFS & SILHOUETTES
Beyond the richly detailed murals and vintage-inspired pieces, we explore a more graphic approach—monochromatic, silhouette-driven designs that subtly echo the era’s spirit. These works, ideal for hallways and transitional spaces, can incorporate motifs from the Stingaree’s past, from ornate stencils to elegantly distressed typography. Inspired by distinctive techniques, such as the gilded Art Deco stenciling of Armand Albert Rateau, the "Stingaree" period designs could blend nostalgia with modern sophistication, offering yet another refined and evocative nod to the past.
ABOVE: Marriott wall mural design by Christian Wolfe
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
ABOVE: Gilded stenciled wall mural by Armand Albert Rateau for Moroccan Artisan Retreat Boutique Hotel.
THE ART OF ATMOSPHERE
Abstract Works Inspired by a Storied Past
Not all art needs to tell a literal story. Some works exist purely to evoke a feeling—an atmosphere that speaks in whispers rather than declarations. In addition to historical nods and figurative works, our collection will feature abstract pieces that, while non-representational, subtly channel the essence of the Stingaree era through color, texture, and composition.
Deep burgundies, aged golds, and shadowy indigos call to mind the opulence and intrigue of a bygone world. Layers of distressed textures hint at a past etched into the walls, while sweeping brushstrokes and rich, moody gradients capture the sultry energy of hidden rendezvous and midnight revelry. The beauty of these pieces lies in their ambiguity—they invite interpretation, allowing each viewer to sense the echoes of history without a defined narrative.
By incorporating these abstract elements, we ensure the artistic experience remains balanced—some pieces tell a story outright, while others let the mood linger in the air like an unspoken secret.
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
BEYOND 2D: SCULPTURAL & IMMERSIVE ART
Art doesn’t have to remain on the walls—it can step into the space itself. By incorporating 3D and sculptural elements, we create immersive conversation pieces that blend storytelling with physical presence.
Imagine a luxurious hotel lobby featuring an epic-scale interactive "keyhole" installation, which activates when guests walk by. Here guests peer into a hidden, illuminated world—offering a tantalizing vicarious glimpse in
Staying aligned with the "key" concept, guests could view countless antique keys ornamenting a two-story wall as they climb the stairway from the lobby to the next floor or, these keys could be hanging random levels from near-invisible wires, rotating slowly just above the interactive "keyhole" installation to give extra intrigue.
Or, even if we dare stray from subjects relating specifically to the "Stingaree" era—artist Michael Wilkinson's elegant acrylic sculptures portray the aspect of "lovers in timeless embrace" in the most classic timeless manner.
From dimensional wall panels to freestanding sculptural installations, these pieces invite interaction, intrigue, and a deeper connection to the hotel’s storied theme.
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
The concepts in this presentation are just a start—intended to spark further collaboration together.
All samples above remain true to the overarching vision we’ve refined—ensuring a cohesive, immersive
theme that aligns seamlessly with the bold, sophisticated essence of this endeavor. Mystery,
secrecy, forbidden pleasures, and indulgence to the extreme—reimagined through the lens
of timeless elegance—define the narrative woven into every artistic element.
Championing Excellence
We have a responsibility as designers to create a poetic resonance ...
the experience not only becomes about beauty seen with the eye alone,
but, it becomes a beauty felt in the stirrings of the heart ~ this is the
alchemy ... this is where we know we have triumphed with our art.
Sheri Armor ~ Decora Artist & Interior Designer
The Creative Directors
Christian Wolfe
Founder / Director
Erin Kennedy
Senior Art Advisor
The Management Officers
Drew Gojsovich
Project Director
Angie Farynnyk
Client Liaison
Khalila Wolfe
Interior Designer
Sheri Armor
Artist / Interior Designer
The Core Creatives
Johnathan Macedo
Photographer
Jonah Allen
Aerial Photographer
Donn Delson
Aerial Photographer
Camila Pineda
Events Manager
T.J. Kiser
Artist
Leho
Artist
Jack Magurany
Artist
Inger Nova Jorgenson
Sculptress
And many more!