President and CEO Peter Waanders
Anderson Ranch Arts Center (andersonranch.org) President and CEO Peter Waanders paints a picture of what life is like at Snowmass’ nonprofit art organization.
Exterior of Anderson Ranch Arts Center
How does Snowmass impact your work? When I drive to the Ranch campus each morning, looking up at Mount Daly and the Aspen and spruce, I feel lucky to be here. That mindset impacts my work every day. The Ranch is both an educational center and a retreat. Artists come here from around the world to be inspired and challenge themselves. Being in this beautiful little town is part of the magic.
What fuels your passion every day? Being part of a community of creatives fuels my passion to work and live in this Valley. It’s not easy to make a life here. Everyone is intentional about living here, making for a unique community.
It’s a weekend. What are you up to? Weekends are for me and my family! I’m home watching a movie or playing games on a Friday night. Saturday mornings, my wife and I take turns—I bike ride and she finds a pickleball game. The kids love the farmers market, little league games or playing in the garden. We like to get out of town and into nature. Sunday mornings, I’m generally at Christ Episcopal Church and then a coffee and The New York Times. By afternoon, it’s time to get ready for the upcoming week.
Where do you feel most inspired in Snowmass? I love skiing Snowmass, and particularly Hanging Valley. When I am up on that ridge, ready to drop into Strawberry Patch, I feel the magic of the place, the people I have enjoyed it with over the past two and a half decades, and the view looking out across the amazing Valley.
Workshops are in abundance at Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
In what season is Anderson Ranch most popular? Anderson Ranch is best known for the summer workshops we offer across artistic disciplines—that is when most people come through our campus. The volume of participants, the multiple lectures each week and the meals around the communal tables in the Café with new and old friends drive the energy of the summer season.
What do you see for the future of Anderson Ranch? Anderson Ranch has a 55-year history of success, growth and impact on the lives of our participants and community. The Ranch keeps learning, experimenting and trying new things, and that trajectory will continue into the future. Just like the artists who come to the Ranch to challenge themselves in the studios, we will continue to improve and grow as an organization.
Photography by: PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER
