Hospitality veteran, author, and fine art photographer Jesse Kalisher, cofounder and president of hospitality art company Kalisher, died on July 20th in Chapel Hill, North Carolina following a battle with cancer. He was 55.
A New York native, Kalisher began his career in marketing and advertising before following his photography passion. Since launching Kalisher 15 years ago alongside his wife Helen and colleagues Sarah Elder and David Winton, it matured into one of the world’s top art consulting firms and the only one owned and run entirely by artists. Kalisher today comprises more than 100 employees across 11 international offices.
His extensive work is on display in hotels across the globe, with many of his photos featured in the permanent collections of numerous art institutions including the Louvre and the George Eastman House. Kalisher also boasted the distinction of having the first photograph of President Barack Obama acquired by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Outside of the industry, Kalisher cofounded the Jesse & Helen Kalisher Humanitarian Award, which honors individuals whose work promotes positive change.
A project from Kalisher at the Loews Miami
“Jesse built our company on outlandish innovation, passion for fine art, and with humility and love. He helped create more than a half million pieces of art installed all over the world, and built a 100-plus person collaborative, creative engine from scratch in North Carolina,” says Kalisher president David Winton. “Everything he created was about and for other people. Everything he created, he created to share. This spirit defined him and defines our company. In Jesse’s words, ‘We are fortunate enough to create art together, nothing could be more important.’”
