International Women’s Day: Celebrating a century of female legacy at Elizabeth Arthotel

International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March marks 115 years of women’s contributions to cultural, social and economic progress, and also the launch of ‘Women in Frame’, an exhibition at Austria’s luxury Elizabeth Arthotel in Ischgl that’s celebrating contemporary female artists.

Presented as part of the alpine resort’s season-long cultural programme, The Arka of Legacy, the new two-week show exploring themes of heritage and cultural memory.

The exhibition also aims to reflect on more than a century of female ownership within the Aloys family and honour the ArtHotel’s founder Elisabeth Aloys.

The Aloys can trace their roots back to Annemarie Aloys in the early 1900s, through Olga Aloys mid-century, to hotel founder Elisabeth Aloys and now her daughter and the current owner, Mirjam Aloys.

Left: Annemarie Aloys Right: Erwin and Olga Aloys celebrate the opening of the Silvretta Bahn, 1963

Each generation has been instrumental in the region’s growth, fostering community progress and shaping Ischgl into the renowned ski destination it is today, embodying the spirit of this year’s IWD theme, “Give to Gain”.

Women in Frame

A highlight of the showcase is a new rooftop sculptural commission, Sissy, by the Austrian sister duo Mercedes & Franziska Welte / NONOS.

This significant work pays tribute to the hotel’s founder Elisabeth, affectionately titled after her nickname — itself a reference to Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

Artists Franziska and Mercedes Welte, NONOS sit beside their sculpture Sissy for the Arka of Legacy exhibition

Reflecting on the commission and the Aloys’ family female legacy, the artistic sisters said: “In creating Sissy, we wanted to reflect the strength of female presence and the importance of remembering those whose vision continues to shape the present. By honouring legacy, we gain a deeper understanding of our future.”

Annette Goessel’s work is one featured artists in ‘Women in Frame’

Throughout the building, visitors to ‘Women in Frame’ can also see the mixed-media work of several artists including Francesca Martí, Susana Anaya, Patricia Reinhart, Annette Goessel and Dhira Barein.

Francesca Martì works featur in Women in Frame exhibition

The history and impact of the Aloys family is also central to an archival photography exhibition and a virtual gallery looking into their role in shaping the region and the hotel’s 50-year history.

Women in Frame is on at the Elizabeth Arthotel until 22 March 2026.

Quoted from Euronews.