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“It’s all pretty upscale, but there’s something for everyone,” Laurent said. The quality of the art is ensured by the festival’s rigorous application process: Artists must submit three photos of their artwork in different styles, in addition to a photo of their display booth. If the artwork is unique but the booth display is not worth it, the festival organizers will work with the artists to improve their display.
“There are no draped tables,” Laurent said. “It’s really professionally displayed artwork, it’s very beautiful.” This year, the festival will feature a smaller number of exhibitors due to increased travel costs along with gas prices and hotel rates. Construction taking place on side streets also limits the amount of space available for the celebration. “Instead of trying to tighten up this show and push everything into spaces, we chose to make it a little bit smaller so we could really fit in the park,” Laurent said. Kyra Coates is an actress who goes to Paepcke Park with her oil paintings and a sample of her clothing line. “(My art is) for people who love liveliness, love high -energy work, statement pieces, the art that comes out of walls,” Coates said. “It’s not art you buy to match your furniture.” With a degree in religious studies and psychology, Coates ’colorful abstract art is inspired by his spiritual background. After displaying her art professionally for four years, Coates quit the professional art world in 2005 to become a Hindu nun. “I was fascinated not only with the spiritual journey but with the psychological journey, how it relates to cultures,” Coates said. “And what is this universal human experience of being a conscious being, something bigger than ourselves, the growth we are going through in a life path? That’s really what inspires me.” Coates last presented his work at the Aspen Art Festival shortly before taking a break from professional art. Coates said he hopes to return to the Aspen Art Festival, which he considers a high-end show with attendees knowledgeable about art. “I think Aspen is a very sophisticated crowd and they’re brilliant at art,” Coates said. Jaime Barks, who will also be showcasing his art at the festival, uses acrylics to paint expressionist landscapes inspired by nature. All of his paintings are thought of from places he has visited, part of which is through his role as an artist-in-residence for the National Parks Service. “I want to pay attention to the power of nature and the feelings we get when we go out,” Barks said. “The art is really special because it allows us to remember what it’s like to go out and look at the stars.” Barks ’love of nature extends to a passion for conservationism and trace-free principles, which can be seen in his art. His art is used as a way to provoke a dialogue about the environment. “Art is a great vehicle for me personally to have conversations about the importance of maintaining and preserving and keeping our public lands clean and protected for future generations,” Barks said. . “I feel, art is a way to have that conversation in a very non-judgmental way; more approachable. ” After this weekend, the show will travel to four more locations in Colorado. Anna Meyer was an editorial intern at The Aspen Times for part of the summer. He will be a sophomore at Vassar College this fall.
