VICTORIA, BC.- The Magnolia Hotel and Spa, long known for embracing the arts in Victoria, is increasing it’s support of the arts by signing on as the exclusive hotel sponsor of the Masterworks of 19th Century French Realism exhibit from the National Gallery of Canada. The exhibit is currently on display at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria through February 20, 2005.

The exhibit includes 16 Realist paintings by 19th century French artists such as Degas, Cezanne, Corot, Courbet, and Millet. In addition, 76 drawings are on display by Callot, Watteau, Delacroix, Degas, Pissarro, Renoir, and Toulouse-Lautrec among others. In all, the drawings span 300 years of French art history – from late Renaissance to early Impressionism.

According to Jana Cornelious, General Manager of the Magnolia Hotel & Spa (a part of Atlific Hotels & Resorts), the sponsorship was a logical move. “Over the years we have lamented that visitors to Victoria, while enjoying the moderate climate and beautiful scenery, were missing out on the fuller experience of the culture and arts that are an essential part of the fabric of Victoria. While we have always pointed guests toward the many fine artistic and cultural offerings here, we hope that this sponsorship will increase traffic at the exhibit. It is truly a profound experience.”

In addition to its sponsorship of the exhibit, the hotel is offering the Magnolia French Masters Art Package to Victoria visitors. The package is being offered until the exhibit closes on February 20, and includes overnight accommodations and two tickets to the exhibit, beginning at $155 Canadian. The Magnolia Hotel and Spa is a four diamond, European-style luxury hotel located in downtown Victoria’s historic inner harbour district. It has an on-site AVEDA Lifestyle Spa and offers easy access to the exhibit as well as to other notable sites in the city.

“We see this sponsorship as just the beginning,” Cornelious said. “Having made this commitment, we are now going to be watching for more opportunities to actively support the arts here in Victoria. Our goal is to have visitors and tourists not just see Victoria, but truly experience it.”