Art (Cycle) Tour

Art, Cycling & Community

On Saturday and Sunday, 21 and 22 June 2025, The Florian Hotel transformed into a vibrant hub of art, culture, and creativity. During this inspiring weekend, guests and visitors were invited to step inside our hotel and experience art in a relaxed, welcoming setting — completely free of charge.

With open doors and an open mindset, visitors could meet three talented Dutch artists, explore their work up close, hear the stories behind their creations, and enjoy the unique Florian vibe where design, sustainability, and creativity come together.

Organized in collaboration with Kunst Kring Haarlemmermeer, the Art (Cycle) Tour invited people to discover art in motion. Participants joined a cycling route around the Haarlemmermeer area, stopping at various locations hosting art exhibitions — with The Florian Hotel proudly being one of the selected stops.

The combination of cycling, culture, and local creativity made the tour a truly immersive experience, connecting people, places, and stories through art.

Diana Gorter – Finding Beauty in the Unexpected

@dianagorter_art - Step into her creative world here

The first artist to showcase her work at The Florian was the incredible Diana Gorter. A former mathematician turned visual artist, Diana creates mesmerizing mosaic-style artworks using everyday discarded objects — from plastic toys and bottle caps to beads and small forgotten items.

From a distance, her works form striking images; up close, they reveal hundreds of tiny details, each with its own story. Her art encourages viewers to slow down, look twice, and rethink the value of what we often throw away.

Diana’s vision aligns beautifully with The Florian Hotel’s sustainable spirit, making her presence a natural and meaningful match for our space.

Following this event, we continued our collaboration by organizing more inspiring events together.

Maxime Velthuis – Expressive, Bold & Personal

@maxies.art -  Explore her artistic world here

Our second artist, Maxime Velthuis, brought a fresh and vibrant energy to the tour. Young, expressive, and full of ideas, Maxime blends design, illustration, and emotion into artworks that speak directly to the soul.

Inspired by life, nature, music, and personal experiences, her pieces are playful yet thoughtful — always carrying a strong emotional core. Her bold and modern style fits seamlessly with The Florian’s creative energy and design-driven heart.

We were proud to welcome Maxime and invite our guests to step into her colorful, expressive world.

Cees Smit – Nostalgia with a Message

@smit.visch  -  Dive deeper into his creative universe here

The third artist, Cees Smit, is a painter with a powerful story to tell. His work blends realism with nostalgia, capturing scenes that feel warm and familiar while addressing deeply current themes.

His latest series, featuring vintage gas stations, was inspired by his book “Surviving Hemophilia: A Road Trip Through the World of Healthcare” and a compelling article about Americans selling blood simply to afford groceries or fuel. The result is a collection that radiates retro charm while subtly confronting social realities.

Cees’ timeless aesthetic and meaningful storytelling fit perfectly within The Florian’s world — bold, thoughtful, and full of character.

A Weekend to Remember

The Art (Cycle) Tour was the perfect occasion for inspiring conversations, discovering beautiful artworks, and even finding a special piece to take home. Guests were welcomed with delicious drinks and pastries, keeping everyone energized for both the art and the cycling journey ahead.

We look back on this weekend with great pride and gratitude and hope to host many more creative events like this in the future. At The Florian Hotel, we love thinking outside the box — just like true artists do.

Take a look at the video from our event and sign up via the form below to be the first to hear about similar events.

Why Art Events at The Florian?

Following the Art (Cycle) Tour, we’re excited to continue organizing and hosting art-focused experiences at our hotel, from exhibitions and creative meet-ups to collaborations with artists and cultural partners.

If you’d like to participate in future art events, we invite you to subscribe using the form below and stay up to date with what’s coming next.

We also welcome inquiries if:

• You’re interested in purchasing artworks from one of the featured artists
• You’d like to include an art exhibition as part of a corporate event, meeting, or gathering at The Florian
  
• You’re an artist interested in exhibiting your work at our hotel

Simply fill out the form and share your interest with us. We’ll get back to you with all possibilities and details to create a meaningful and inspiring art experience — and to make your visit to The Florian even more memorable.

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