A new hotel in DC features a Ruth Bader Ginsburg portrait made from 20,000 hand-painted tampons — and that's not even the wildest design

Melissa WileyOct 10, 2020, 20:54 IST

Hotel Zena is a new hotel in Washington, DC that celebrates women.Hotel Zena

A brand new hotel dedicated to female empowerment has opened in Washington, DC.
Called Hotel Zena, it features over 60 artworks that celebrate women's rights.
Installations include a larger-than-life portrait of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg made from 20,000 tampons and a reception desk built out of high heels.
Art director Andrea Sheehan, who oversaw the hotel's design, told Insider that she hopes the artworks will spark conversation among guests.

One of Washington, DC's newest hotels is all about celebrating women.

View of the exterior of Hotel Zena, seen from Logan Circle in northwest Washington, DC. Hotel Zena

Called Hotel Zena, it features over 60 bold and provocative artworks dedicated to female empowerment and those who have fought for women's rights.

"Hotel Warriors" by MISS CHELOVE. Hotel Zena

Created by artists of all genders from around the world, the installations range from paintings to photography, sculptures, and textiles.

"Photoboth" by Andrea Sheehan and Julie Coyle Art Associates. Hotel Zena

Some serve dual purposes: This collection of upcycled high heels encased in a glass box is the hotel's reception desk.

"Jigsaw" by Willie Cole. Hotel Zena

Hanging in the lobby is a larger-than-life portrait of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or "notorious RBG."

Hotel Zena

Conceived by Andrea Sheehan, art director and founder of Dawson Design Associates who oversaw the hotel's design, the portrait is made from 20,000 hand-painted tampons.

"Ruth Bader Ginsburg" by Andrea Sheehan and Julie Coyle Art Associates (details). Tampons donated by CORA. Hotel Zena

The idea to create the Ruth Bader Ginsburg portrait using tampons came to Sheehan in a dream. "I woke up in the middle of the night, and it was all about tampons," she told Insider.

"Ruth Bader Ginsburg" by Andrea Sheehan and Julie Coyle Art Associates (detail). Tampons donated by CORA. Hotel Zena

The idea to create the Ruth Bader Ginsburg portrait using tampons came to Sheehan in a dream. "I woke up in the middle of the night, and it was all about tampons," she told Insider.

The lobby includes portraits of nine other powerful women, such as Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to US Congress.

Portrait of Shirley Chisholm (detail). Hotel Zena

Nearby, a "Wall of Honor" illuminates sketches of 221 men and women who have led the fight for women's rights, ranging from Hillary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey to Plato.

"Wall of Honor" by Andrea Sheehan and Julie Coyle Art Associates. Hotel Zena

"This is not a female hotel or a male hotel," Sheehan told Insider. "This is a civil rights hotel where women are celebrated."

View of Hotel Zena's Figleaf bar and restaurant. Hotel Zena

Every line, curve, and color in the hotel is intended to celebrate and recognize women, Sheehan said.

View of "Figleaf," Hotel Zena's restaurant, bar, and coworking space. Hotel Zena

In "Figleaf," the hotel's restaurant, bar, and coworking space, 12,000 protest buttons mounted on a 20-foot curved wall pay homage to generations of protests led for and by women.

"Talking Sequins" by Andrea Sheehan and Julie Coyle Art Associates. Hotel Zena

In "Figleaf," the hotel's restaurant, bar, and coworking space, 12,000 protest buttons mounted on a 20-foot curved wall pay homage to generations of protests led for and by women.

Brightly lit meeting spaces are named after people like Ava Belmont, an important figure in the American women's suffrage movement.

View of a Hotel Zena conference room. Hotel Zena

In each of hotel's guest rooms, the Greek goddess Artemis, protector of women, keeps a watchful eye.

View of a Hotel Zena guest room. Hotel Zena

Sheehan described the hotel's atmosphere as "inviting" yet "fierce" and hopes that the hotel's art-filled spaces will spark conversation among visitors.

View of Hotel Zena's rooftop pool deck, opening early 2021. Hotel Zena

"I am certain there will be people who hate this and be very vocal about hating it," Sheehan said of the hotel. "I'm certain there'll be people who love it and be very vocal about loving it."

View of Hotel Zena's rooftop pool deck, opening early 2021. Hotel Zena

"I am certain there will be people who hate this and be very vocal about hating it," Sheehan said of the hotel. "I'm certain there'll be people who love it and be very vocal about loving it."

"It's all good," she added. "I don't want to dictate how they feel. I want them to share how they feel. That's the purpose of the hotel."

View of Hotel Zena's rooftop pool deck, opening early 2021. Hotel Zena

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A new hotel in DC features a Ruth Bader Ginsburg portrait made from 20,000 hand-painted tampons — and that's not even the wildest design

One of Washington, DC's newest hotels is all about celebrating women.

Called Hotel Zena, it features over 60 bold and provocative artworks dedicated to female empowerment and those who have fought for women's rights.

Created by artists of all genders from around the world, the installations range from paintings to photography, sculptures, and textiles.

Some serve dual purposes: This collection of upcycled high heels encased in a glass box is the hotel's reception desk.

Hanging in the lobby is a larger-than-life portrait of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or "notorious RBG."

Conceived by Andrea Sheehan, art director and founder of Dawson Design Associates who oversaw the hotel's design, the portrait is made from 20,000 hand-painted tampons.

The idea to create the Ruth Bader Ginsburg portrait using tampons came to Sheehan in a dream. "I woke up in the middle of the night, and it was all about tampons," she told Insider.

The lobby includes portraits of nine other powerful women, such as Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to US Congress.

Nearby, a "Wall of Honor" illuminates sketches of 221 men and women who have led the fight for women's rights, ranging from Hillary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey to Plato.

"This is not a female hotel or a male hotel," Sheehan told Insider. "This is a civil rights hotel where women are celebrated."

Every line, curve, and color in the hotel is intended to celebrate and recognize women, Sheehan said.

In "Figleaf," the hotel's restaurant, bar, and coworking space, 12,000 protest buttons mounted on a 20-foot curved wall pay homage to generations of protests led for and by women.

Brightly lit meeting spaces are named after people like Ava Belmont, an important figure in the American women's suffrage movement.

In each of hotel's guest rooms, the Greek goddess Artemis, protector of women, keeps a watchful eye.

Sheehan described the hotel's atmosphere as "inviting" yet "fierce" and hopes that the hotel's art-filled spaces will spark conversation among visitors.

"I am certain there will be people who hate this and be very vocal about hating it," Sheehan said of the hotel. "I'm certain there'll be people who love it and be very vocal about loving it."

"It's all good," she added. "I don't want to dictate how they feel. I want them to share how they feel. That's the purpose of the hotel."