On August 2 in Aspen, at the pinnacle of Aspen ArtWeek (July 30-August 3), the Aspen Art Museum’s 19th Annual Aspen ArtCrush gala and live auction will rejoice in 45 years of inspired programming at the artist-founded institution. Spearheaded by Director Nicola Lees, in partnership with Collector Committee Co-Chairs Abigail Ross Goodman and Molly Epstein, the in-person and digital auction presented by Christie’s features more than 50 donated artworks by today’s luminaries and cutting-edge creatives.
Vital support for the spectacular event is provided by Bottega Veneta, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, and Steven Shane of Compass Real Estate. Proceeds of the Museum’s most extensive annual fundraiser uplift dynamic exhibitions and vital educational programming on a global scale, with portions retained by the artists this anniversary year. The vivacious 2024 gala includes an amplified collective of prominent co-chairs including Sarah Arison, Thomas Wilhelm, Jen Rubio, Stewart Butterfield, Charlie Pohlad, Jack Carter, as well as Eleanore and Domenico De Sole.
Portrait of Jacqueline Humphries, 2021. Photo by Martha Fleming-Ives.
During this year’s historic and inaugural edition, three visionaries will be radiantly honored: architect Shigeru Ban, artist Jacqueline Humphries, and composer and artist Jason Moran. The additional 10th anniversary of the museum’s awe-inspiring building designed by Ban marks this year as a truly momentous one for the forward-thinking and profound institution.
Naudline Pierre, “Mythic”, 2024, courtesy of the artist and James Cohan.
A Celebration of a Unique Ecosystem at Aspen Art Museum
“As an artist-founded institution, artists are centered within all we do, and the fulfillment of our mission depends on their trust,” said Lees. “Our summer exhibition by Allison Katz examines what it means to live with art and emphasizes the unique ecosystem that allows the visions of artists to flourish.
“This year’s outstanding ArtCrush auction is a testament to the remarkable artists and supporters within our community, and we are proud to share these powerful artworks with collectors worldwide. On the occasion of our 45th anniversary, to honor the central role of artists at the Aspen Art Museum, we invite artists to retain a portion of the proceeds of their donated works, thereby promoting continuity, equitability, and sustainability. It is a policy we will be proud to implement long into the future.”
Kennedy Yanko, “I wanted it to be true,” 2022, Photo by Elizabeth Bernstein, Courtesy of the artist.
Chris Wolston, “Nalgona Chair,” Courtesy of the artist and The Future Perfect.
Discover Gems by Derek Fordjour, Shota Nakamura, Kennedy Yanko, and More
Centerpieces of this year’s much-anticipated Art Crush include masterpieces by Jonathan Lyndon Chase, Derek Fordjour, Jacqueline Humphries, Emma McIntyre, Shota Nakamura, Marina Perez Simão, Marina Rheingantz, Kathleen Ryan, Kennedy Yanko, a singular encounter with Jason Moran, and much more.
The comprehensive range of pieces, with auction prices from $3,000 to over $300,000, embraces works on paper, paintings, and sculptures for a truly diverse presentation. In an additional first, Aspen Art Museum teams up with Design Miami to bring luminous and innovative design objects like the Listening Chair by Luam Melake and the Nalgona Chair by Chris Wolston.
Luam Melake, “Listening Chair,” courtesy of the artist and R & Company.
New Auction Partner Christie’s Leads Live and Online Auctions
As a tremendous new auction partner, Christie’s will carry out a live auction during the festivities of the ArtCrush gala, ceremoniously directed by Adrien Meyer, Global Head of Private Sales and Co-Chairman of Impressionist & Modern Art. On Christie’s website, the curtain was raised on the online iteration of the auction on July 25, and will proceed through August 3. The entirety of the show is currently on display at Aspen Art Museum for visitors through August 2.
“This is a particularly special Aspen ArtWeek,”
— Nicola Lees
Portrait of Shigeru Ban, courtesy Shigeru Ban Architects.
“This is a particularly special Aspen ArtWeek as we celebrate not one but two important anniversaries: Aspen Art Museum’s 45th anniversary, and the 10th anniversary of our remarkable building designed by Shigeru Ban, which has become an iconic landmark in Aspen,” added Lees.
“To commemorate these milestones, we are thrilled to be announcing, for the first time, three honorees across three domains: art, music, and architecture. The expansive influence and talent of our honorees reflects the irrepressible spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration that Aspen ArtWeek and our ArtCrush gala engenders. Aspen continues to be a haven for vital dialogue among creative leaders and an accelerant for cultural progress.”
Portrait of Jason Moran, Courtesy of Jason Moran and Ari Marcopoulos.
