By the JMD Team
Some say art is in the eye of the beholder. We say it’s also in the spaces where art is shown. So, with that in mind, we thought we’d share a few of our favorites – in and near to the place we call home.
Aspen Art Museum
A landmark in town since it opened at the corner of Spring Street and Hyman Avenue in 2014, this non-collecting museum has gathered a following of contemporary art aficionados worldwide.
Renowned architect Shigeru Ban designed the museum “striving for a unified relationship between the structure and its surroundings.” Outside, the basket-like Woven Wood Screen reflects Aspen’s natural surroundings and allows a peek inside.
The ground floor features two galleries with rotating exhibitions, currently including “Adam Stamp: The Slippery Slope” and “Jonathan Berger: The Store,” a combination gift shop and art exhibition. Up a wide–open glass stairway or via the Moving Room elevator, a rooftop sculpture garden and the delightful SO Café await. Museum admission is free. 970-925-8050, aspenartmuseum.org
The Red Brick Center for the Arts
Explore, connect, inspire. Just behind Main Street from Hotel Jerome, the Red Brick, as it’s known, 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.)
Inside, Molly Peacock, Tammie Lane, Mindy Vernon, Michael Bonds and other local artists, potters, jewelry designers and more have studios in the former classrooms and rotating artwork lines the walls.
Art classes and workshops take place all summer long. For adults, there’s “Open Figure Plein Air Drawing,” watercolor classes and the popular “Masterpiece Mine: Paint & Wine” class, in which students can mimic the masters while mingling and sipping with artist friends (and, yes, it’s as fun as it sounds). Kids art classes and programs include Afterschool Art Play, and day- and week-long Art Camp. 970-429-2777, redbrickaspen.com
Anderson Ranch Arts Center
A scenic drive up Owl Creek Road, Anderson Ranch Arts Center is Snowmass’ artistic and cultural hub. On five verdant acres within a collection of historic barns and cabins remodeled into working studios and galleries, the Ranch is a uniquely idyllic place to visit, create and celebrate art.
Artistic expression and development is inspired through workshops (some open to the public), artist residencies, gallery exhibits, tours, lectures, and more. For artwork to bring home, The ArtWorks Store offers a variety of moderately priced ceramic and wood pieces, photographs, jewelry, prints and paintings by Ranch artists.
Don’t miss the chance to stroll the outdoor sculptural exhibition, titled “(Still) Sculpturally Distanced,” featuring 19 sculptures by local, national and internationally acclaimed artists installed throughout the campus. And stop in for a bite at the casual Ranch Café. 970-923-3181, andersonranch.org
Eyes On Art: We’re looking forward to the opening of The Contemporary Center for the Performing Arts in Willits. Stay tuned in to our blog for info and updates.
Photo Credits in order: Michal Moran, Courtesy of The Red Brick and Anderson Ranch Arts Center