We choose to ski Colorado because its challenging mountains offer a full-body workout. Our muscles are toned, our minds cleansed and, in the evening, our spirits lifted and palates pampered with cuisine to die for.
So much for the body.
On to the soul.
The sophistication of Colorado's winter resorts make art, in its many forms, an integral part of a vacation experience. The well-traveled visitor has come to expect the totality of indulgence — from elegant accommodations, to gourmet dining, skiing with high-tech amenities, unique shopping, and art to feed the soul.
Art has many faces. It poses as a breathtaking sculpture, covers a wall with stunning serenity and forms graceful shapes in glass or clay.
It wraps itself about a wrist, finger or throat in silver or gold. It weaves exquisite threads and fabrics into fashions for home or self. And, it can be chiseled into extraordinary tableaux from solid monoliths of snow. Art reaches deeply into our psyches to touch a chord of inner peace. How could we possibly live without art?
"When people are here on vacation, a definite mode of relaxation sets in, and they take their time browsing and making selections that feel good to them," said Terry McGrath, co-owner of the Hibberd McGrath Gallery in Breckenridge. "We've been showing art for more than 20 years here in Summit County and have noticed some changes and some trends. Because so many people have second or third homes in resort areas, they choose pieces of art and complementing ceramics, pottery or weavings to decorate these second homes in keeping with their own personalities. But we're also seeing, among our more sophisticated clientele, people who collect art rather than those who are just shopping to decorate. Which speaks to the fact that galleries in the mountains go beyond regional art, attracting national names and works."
This winter, ceramicist Daniel Anderson, folk artist Ed Larson and fiber artist Kay Khan, among others, will exhibit their works at Hibberd McGrath.
You can purchase prints in some 20 locations in Breckenridge, but only five galleries carry original pieces. One of the best is Paint Horse Gallery, owned by Jim Nicholls, a Breckenridge resident since the 1960s. His passion is art that showcases the American West — paintings and sculptures of the Old West at its finest — but he also displays memorabilia, saddles, antiques and Navajo weavings. According to gallery Director Becky Courteau, many people are searching for pieces that remind them of their Colorado trip, while many second homeowners are shopping to decorate a home or condominium
Though not a gallery per se, the art crafted from 10-foot high towers of compacted snow are executed brilliantly by teams hailing from around the globe. It’s definitely worth a trip just to watch these artisans work day and night to perfect their spectacular monoliths. The International Snow Sculpture Championships are held in Breckenridge, with the 2002 event scheduled for January 29-February 3.
Aspen and art are practically inseparable, and together they’re one-of-a-kind. In the Hotel Jerome's new showcase, Galerie Jerome, you’ll find a collection of 19th- and 20th-century American and European paintings. The Hotel Jerome itself is a veritable 19th-century museum, which celebrates America's Mine Camp Victorian era. "We thought it appropriate to present works dating from the period that the hotel was founded," said general manager Tony DiLucia. "In the future, we plan to feature works by Renoir, Monet and Picasso."
For the last 20 years, Aspen Grove Fine Arts has watched its clientele grow with corporate and private collector purchases. Visitors love the western wildlife oils by John DeMott, Gib Singleton's sculptures, the impressionist art of Luigi Rocca and the whimsy of Anton Arkhipov.
Both African Odyssey, with its wildlife and tribal traditional art, and Footloose and Fancy Things, with Aspen's largest collection of E.S. Curtis' Native American photogravures, are stunning galleries to behold.
But one of the most unusual is set in Castle Creek, about 20 miles outside Aspen. Rent a car to go see Toklat At Ashcroft, which "feels more like a museum than a gallery," said owner Dove Hibbert. "We showcase meticulously handcrafted art and sculpture from around the world.” Here you'll find the old culture of Aztec-design Zapotec rugs from Mexico, intricate tapestries from Poland, stone and wood sculptures and coffee tables made from petrified wood.
Prepare yourself for sensory overload on the promenade through Market Square in the Beaver Creek Resort. One after another, the galleries mesmerize and lure you to their stunning exhibits.
The dynamics of contemporary art glass displayed in Pismo Gallery allow you to experience shimmering creativity through the shapes, designs and colors of these compelling pieces. Internationally renowned artists choose to exhibit here, among them Chihuly, Kuhn, Marioni and Tagliapietra
A testament to the diverse tastes and clientele in Beaver Creek, Market Square Fine Art features legendary French and Spanish modern avant-garde expressionists, including Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali and Joan Miro.
Many artists have been inspired to paint the unique western landscapes of America, but none has followed the romanticism of the masters as well as Thomas deDecker. His mood-filled, haunting scenes are shown in Market Square's McClure Gallery.
"Art has many faces. It poses as a breathtaking sculpture, covers a wall with stunning serenity and forms graceful shapes in glass or clay."
Vail has shown art for almost 40 years. With experience comes the refinement of choice. The 1890s Indian photographs by Edward S. Curtis take prominence in the Cogswell Gallery. Befriended by such legends as Geronimo and Red Cloud, Curtis documented all aspects of American Indian life. As Teddy Roosevelt once said, "Mr. Curtis has caught glimpses into that strange spiritual and mental life of the Indians, from whose innermost recesses all white men are forever barred."
The Squash Blossom Gallery celebrates the art of diverse cultures. In its collections are selected American Indian jewelry and artifacts, Hopi-inspired paintings and dolls, and works by contemporary Native American jewelers, such as Ray Tracey and Ben Nighthorse Campbell. Other choices are paintings, weavings, pottery, baskets and beadwork, the last word in southwestern flair.
Lillian Ross writes regular travel columns for the Denver Rocky Mountain News, edits Colorado travel planners, and writes articles for Colorado-based feature magazines, including Vail Valley Golf.
Shopping Adventures in the Colorado Rockies
The sophistication of Colorado's winter resorts make art, in its many forms, an integral part of a vacation experience. The well-traveled visitor has come to expect the totality of indulgence — from elegant accommodations, to gourmet dining, skiing with high-tech amenities, unique shopping, and art to feed the soul.
Though not a gallery per se, the art crafted from 10-foot high towers of compacted snow are executed brilliantly by teams hailing from around the globe. It’s definitely worth a trip just to watch these artisans work day and night to perfect their spectacular monoliths. The International Snow Sculpture Championships are held in Breckenridge, with the 2002 event scheduled for January 29-February 3.
Many artists have been inspired to paint the unique western landscapes of America, but none has followed the romanticism of the masters as well as Thomas deDecker. His mood-filled, haunting scenes are shown in Market Square's McClure Gallery.