“Arch Connelly: Straighten Your Wig and Pray”
Where: Aspen Art Museum
When: Through Oct. 11
Why It’s Worth a Look: Despite his crucial position in the East Village’s 1980s art scene, Connelly has never had a solo museum survey until now. His multimedia works—encrusted with faux pearls, sequins, and even painted eggshells—reflect the vibrant avant-garde scenes he participated in.
Know Before You Go: Before his death from AIDS-related complications in 1993, Connelly’s life touched many legendary artists, including the Cockettes, Angels of Light, Agosto Machado, Elaine Reichek, and Jimmy Wright. For even more Connelly in Aspen, find an exclusive selection of his pieces on view in Valentino’s Galena Street boutique.
AIR 2026: Figures in a Landscape
Where: Aspen Art Museum and around town
When: July 27–31
Why It’s Worth a Look: No location is better than Aspen for dramatizing the interplay between the spaces we inhabit and the stages on which we perform. For the second iteration of the Aspen Art Museum’s intellectually and artistically sprawling festival, artists and thinkers will tackle space through the twin subjects of the natural landscape and man-made set.
Know Before You Go: Camille Henrot is mounting a major performance drawing from the Italian Renaissance’s stock characters (aptly titled Commedia dell’arte), while experimental composer Kali Malone will present an early morning pipe organ performance in the Aspen Chapel. Meanwhile, comedian and performance artist Morgan Bassichis will mash up the work of Larry Mitchell, Frank Maya, and Amy Winehouse in a new performance. Matthew Barney returns to the festival after headlining the program in 2025. And that’s just the tip of the programming iceberg.
Anderson Ranch’s Summer Series
Where: Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village
When: July 9–Aug. 6
Why It’s Worth a Look: The beloved artistic retreat has a venerable lineup for its annual summer series this year. The program kicks off with Roberto Lugo in conversation with Carmen Hermo, followed by Marilyn Minter in conversation with veteran museum director Lisa Phillips.
Know Before You Go: Anderson Ranch is ringing in its 60th this summer. Since 1966, the space has grown from a small wooden ceramics studio to a renowned hub for creatives, hosting speakers like Titus Kaphar, Charles Gaines, and the Haas Brothers.
“Double Take: Recurrent Dialogues in the Art of Herbert Bayer”
Where: Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies
When: Through Apr. 3, 2027
Why It’s Worth a Look: Bayer may have been born in Austria, but he was a longtime Colorado devotee and one of the key pioneers of the Bauhaus movement in the United States—and a veritable Swiss Army knife (graphic design, painting, photography, sculpture, interior design, architecture, he touched them all). This show takes an expansive look across seven decades of Bayer’s career, presenting 1930s photography alongside his 1970s abstractions.
Know Before You Go: The exhibition features 70 rare works, some on loan from museums across the country.
“Eunoia” by Ross Bleckner
Where: Baldwin Gallery
When: July 24–Sept. 7
Why It’s Worth a Look: Bleckner’s art has always been an urgent and joyful reminder of life and the body’s fleeting beauties. As a prominent New York artist during the 1980s AIDS crisis, his luminous large-scale paintings evoke vivacity and fragility all at once.
Know Before You Go: The show’s title, “Eunoia,” comes from ancient Greek rhetoric, evoking reciprocal goodwill between a speaker and audience, as well as wellness and stability in mental health fields. Across a series of hazy paintings, Bleckner probes the intricate connections between all living things.
Aspen Art Fair
When: July 29 – Aug. 1
Where: Hotel Jerome
Why It’s Worth a Look: Marking its third year, the fair welcomes incoming director Kelly Cornell and spreads out across guest rooms, ballrooms, and a brand-new outdoor sculpture space at the historic Hotel Jerome. This year’s highlights include a Kusama-inspired textile piece by Roméo Mivekannin shown with Southern Guild, a coveted Willem de Kooning through Alexandre Gallery, and a gleaming aluminum sculpture from Hexton Gallery’s Phillip K. Smith III.
Know Before You Go: Don’t miss the art fair’s off-site highlights either. Major art patrons including Melony and Adam Lewis will open the doors to their private collections, as will Jorge M. and Darlene Perez, who recently established a breathtaking sculpture park in the nearby Rockies.
Casa Tua Aspen’s Summer Photography Show
Where: Casa Tua Aspen
When: Summer 2026
Why It’s Worth a Look: The buzzy private club has always been known for the tasteful art adorning its walls. For Casa Tua’s 25th anniversary, co-founders Leticia and Miky Grendene will curate an exhibition of influential photographers including Gregory Crewdson, Richard Mosse, Lara Porzak, Anastasia Samoylova, and Roe Ethridge in their Aspen outpost.
Know Before You Go: This year marks a moment of accelerated expansion for the club, which opened its doors in Capri in April, with upcoming space planned in LA as well. Their 25th-anniversary book will also be coming out soon, made in collaboration with Phaidon.
Mall Fest 50
Where: Red Brick Center for the Arts
When: Through October
Why It’s Worth a Look: To herald the 50th anniversary of the Aspen Pedestrian Mall, the Red Brick Center is organizing a parade alongside two installations: a fluttering textile work by artist Rachel B. Hayes as well as a pavement mural, splayed between South Galena Street and East Cooper Avenue, by Chris Erickson.
Know Before You Go: Can’t get enough? Red Brick’s galleries are hosting a group show featuring work from Pattie Lee Becker, Joanne Seongweon Lee, Agustina Flores Maini, and Erin Rigney through Aug. 1.
Aspen Music Festival and School Summer Season
Where: Various locations
When: Through Aug. 23
Why It’s Worth a Look: For fine classical music, look no further than the Aspen Music Festival’s summer series. Find Leonard Bernstein and Beethoven compositions alongside works by Charles Ives, Aaron Copland, and John Adams spread across the city’s music halls, opera houses, and airy outdoor venues.
Know Before You Go: Matthew Aucoin will debut a new symphony and Yuja Wang will make her long-awaited return to Aspen for two performances. As Principal Guest Composer, Caroline Shaw will present three compositions and master classes throughout the summer.
Up in the Sky Music Festival
Where: Buttermilk Ski Resort
When: Aug. 7–8
Why It’s Worth a Look: For those feeling a little more adventurous, there’s always live music in the great outdoors. Dance music festival Up in the Sky, nestled against the breathtaking Buttermilk Mountain, returns for its second year this August.
Know Before You Go: On Friday, John Summit will headline alongside Empire of the Sun, Leon Thomas, Passion Pit, and Fcukers. Dom Dolla closes out the festival on Saturday, accompanied by Parcels, Polo & Pan, and Good Neighbours.
More of our favorite stories from CULTURED
An Exclusive Look Inside the Property That Houses Jorge M. Pérez’s Sweeping Art Collection
How Lillian Bassman’s Groundbreaking Career Reinvented Fashion Photography
Here’s All the Must-See TV Streaming in July
Peak Summer Is Here. Skip the Stove With These Dishes Best Served From the Fridge.
Sign up for our newsletter here to get these stories direct to your inbox.
in your life?
