No Vacancy: Ben Williams' Photography of Western Interior
Ben Williams, a senior in photo and lens-based design at BYU, presents No Vacancy: Hotels of the American West, a personal project and gallery show on display in Gallery 1313. Despite wrapping up his capstone and preparing for a summer internship, Williams found time to document vintage hotels across the Western U.S.
A self-described “country romantic” and “road trip junkie,” Williams brings a deep design ethic to his nostalgic subject. “These establishments, with their eclectic exteriors and nostalgic interiors, serve as windows into the unique geography and history of their regions,” he writes in his artist statement. His photos immerse viewers in the culture of the West without needing to leave campus.
Printed on archival pigment paper to preserve their impact, the photographs earned Williams a grant from the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies. He stayed in nearly every hotel featured — only skipping a Provo bed and breakfast.
Shot entirely on film, the images reflect Williams' gratitude for BYU’s Department of Design. He credits mentorship, equipment access and especially print lab manager Carlos Sanchez for supporting his creative process.
Each photo is titled simply with the hotel name and location, inviting viewers to experience these places themselves. “I encourage viewers of this show to consider staying in these hotels and experiencing the West as I did, firsthand,” Williams says.
The exhibit’s moody interiors — green-lit rooms, porcelain tubs, blistered bar walls — are rich with detail and expertly composed. Viewers may feel no need to travel; the gallery itself becomes a portal into place and time.
Prints are already being sold and traded, and Williams hopes to share his vision of the West in future venues.
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