Skiing. Shopping. Dining. Yes, all are attractions that bring people to Aspen, but the hidden, though not so much anymore, gems are the expansive number of community arts opportunities found throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. These treasures welcome visitors year-round and provide unique, world-class cultural experiences.
Rashid Johnson and Aspen Art Musuem's lift tickets
1.ART IN UNEXPECTED PLACES
For the last 18 years, Aspen Skiing Company and Aspen Art Museum have been bringing contemporary art to unexpected places with the goal of engaging locals and visitors alike. This season, the works of renowned artist Rashid Johnson will be featured on lift tickets, as well as on a limited collection of skis at the ASPENX concept store in the Gondola Plaza.
2.ASPEN ART MUSEUM
Internationally renowned architect Shigeru Ban designed this world-class, admission-free museum. This winter, exhibits include Jeffrey Gibson: THE SPIRITS ARE LAUGHING and Hervé Télémaque: A Hopscotch of the Mind. Year-round, check out the curated Possession Obsession shop and the rooftop cafe.
3.THE RED BRICK CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Explore, connect, inspire. Just behind Main Street from Hotel Jerome, the Red Brick Center for the Arts inspires studio artists and visitors alike to do just that in a combination community arts center and gallery within a former red-brick elementary school. Spot the current “Sculptures on the Lawn” installation and you’re there.
4.ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER
A scenic drive up Owl Creek Road, Anderson Ranch Arts Center is Snowmass’ artistic and cultural hub. It is set on 5 acres within a collection of historic barns and cabins remodeled into working studios and galleries. The ArtWorks Store offers a variety of moderately priced ceramic and wood pieces, photographs, jewelry, prints and paintings by Ranch artists.
5.RESNICK CENTER FOR HERBERT BAYER STUDIES
On the Aspen Institute campus in the West End, the new Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies pays homage to the legacy of Bauhaus artist and designer Herbert Bayer. Within a dozen galleries, paintings, watercolors, drawings and more give an overview of Bayer’s lifetime of work. It is free and open to the public. Guided tours are available.
6.THE ART BASE
Creativity, community and art are the focal points of The Art Base, a one-of-a-kind, nonprofit gallery and gathering place set in a historic storefront building in downtown Basalt. Year-round offerings include artist exhibitions and visual arts workshops for all ages. A small shop features handmade crafts.
7.THE ARTS CAMPUS AT WILLITS
TACAWfor short, this singular performing arts facility features musical and cultural events and more in a stunning net-zero performance space and the seasonal Alpenglow Foundation Amphitheater and Listening Lawn. Stop by the Colorado-centric Tabl Cafe for lunch.
Photography by: Photo Courtesy of Aspen Art Museum
