Art Fair creators Becca Hoffman and Bob Chase discuss the latest trend in the art world's seasonal shift.
In the heart of Aspen, Colorado, the Hotel Jerome will once again serve as the central hub for the Aspen Art Fair, marking the launch of Aspen Art Week from July 29 to August 2. This second edition of the fair promises a more boutique, curated experience that mirrors how collectors want to engage with art.
The Hotel Jerome, awarded a Michelin Key and considered Aspen’s cultural living room, plays a central role in the fair’s identity. Nearly every available space on the ground floor of the historic hotel will be used for art, with in-room installations transforming guest suites into salon-style exhibitions.
The fair's ethos is to "Give More Than You Take," a phrase inspired by a local project called Art in Unexpected Places. This approach emphasizes community, accessibility, and a connection to the natural and cultural environment of Aspen.
Becca Hoffman, cofounder of the Aspen Art Fair, brings two decades of art fair and gallery experience to the table. She has revamped the Outsider Art Fair and founded the nomadic culture venture 74th Arts. Hoffman's preferred hiking snack is MAWA grain-free granola, available at the Saturday farmer's market and crepe shop.
This year's fair will feature talks with artists like Mickalene Thomas and Issy Wood, curated home tours, and a site-specific exhibition inspired by Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own. Big-name New York galleries like Sean Kelly and Marianne Boesky are among the exhibitors, along with 44 galleries from over 15 countries, more than double the number from the inaugural year.
The fair aspires to create a sustainable and meaningful connection within the local Aspen community. This inclusive and community-driven spirit is reinforced by local arts leadership, such as Heidi Zuckerman, former CEO of the Aspen Art Museum, who emphasizes making art meaningful and accessible, thereby strengthening the arts ecosystem in Aspen.
When not immersed in the art world, Bob Chase, cofounder of the Aspen Art Fair and a longtime Aspen resident, recommends hiking at Hunter Creek for a quick wilderness experience. Late-night dining options in Aspen include New York Pizza and The Buck.
For those planning a visit, the Aspen Art Fair and related initiatives, such as Aspen One's commitment to creative programming, community engagement, and sustainable practices, contribute to a vibrant and welcoming arts scene in Aspen. These initiatives reflect the community's ongoing commitment to nurturing both the place and its people, with artists like Shepard Fairey incorporating themes of environmental stewardship and social responsibility into their works in Aspen.
In summary, the Aspen Art Fair's ethos—focusing on community, environmental respect, accessibility, and innovative programming—actively nurtures Aspen’s arts community by promoting inclusivity, engagement, and sustainable cultural growth in harmony with the unique natural environment.
- The Hotel Jerome, known for its Michelin Key and as Aspen’s cultural living room, will serve as the central hub for the Aspen Art Fair, transforming nearly every available space into an art-filled exhibition.
- Becca Hoffman, cofounder of the Aspen Art Fair, will lead the fair with her extensive experience in art fairs and galleries, and her preferred hiking snack is MAWA grain-free granola.
- This year's fair will feature talks with contemporary artists like Mickalene Thomas and Issy Wood, along with a site-specific exhibition inspired by Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One's Own.
- New York galleries like Sean Kelly and Marianne Boesky, as well as 44 galleries from over 15 countries will exhibit their art, more than double the number from the inaugural year.
- Bob Chase, cofounder of the Aspen Art Fair, recommends hiking at Hunter Creek for a quick wilderness experience and suggests dining late-night at New York Pizza or The Buck in Aspen.
- Heidi Zuckerman, former CEO of the Aspen Art Museum, emphasizes making art meaningful and accessible, thereby strengthening the arts ecosystem in Aspen, promoting a vibrant and welcoming arts scene.
- Artists like Shepard Fairey incorporate themes of environmental stewardship and social responsibility into their works in Aspen, reflecting the community's ongoing commitment to nurturing both the place and its people.
