A Higher Elevation
Author:Lindsey ShookAspen Art Fair returns with an Expanded Vision
This July, the Aspen Art Fair is set to return for its second edition once again transforming the iconic Hotel Jerome into a vibrant hub for contemporary art, culture and design. After an outstanding inaugural year that firmly established its place on the global art calendar, this year’s fair promises to be even more impressive. Over five days, the fair will welcome thousands of collectors, curators and patrons from around the world to explore a thoughtfully curated selection of 40 galleries representing 125 artists from 15 countries—alongside collaborations with leading Aspen cultural institutions such as the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Aspen Film, and the Red Brick Center for the Arts.
Cofounded by Becca Hoffman, a seasoned art fair director and founder of 74thArts, and Bob Chase, owner of Aspen’s Hexton Gallery and a key player in the region’s art scene, the Aspen Art Fair blends a boutique fair model with a community-centric ethos. “We saw the opportunity to build something unique to Aspen—intimate, elevated and engaged—not just with art collectors but with the town itself,” says Hoffman.
Photos provided by Aspen Art Fair.
What sets the Aspen Art Fair apart is its commitment to long-term cultural impact. “We’re not just about one week in July,” says Hoffman. “We’re building something that lives here—through public art, talks, screenings and partnerships that extend across the calendar.” From hikes to off-season lectures, the goal is to become a year-round platform for the local creative community. The fair’s growing Art Prize Program demonstrated this level of commitment to cultivating careers and returns this year with multiple awards including the Anderson Ranch Visiting Artist Prize, the Buckhorn Public Arts Prize and the Pardon Prize, offering a $10,000 acquisition. With this bold and expansive approach, the Aspen Art Fair is positioning itself not just as a fair, but a movement. “Our goal is to make Aspen an essential stop on the global art fair circuit,” says Hoffman. “But more than that, we want to create a meaningful, authentic experience rooted in place, beauty and creativity.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the official website now.
