Aspen’s premier collector and architect Sarah Broughton, FAIA, NCIDQ, founded the esteemed, award-winning firm R+B alongside her husband, R+B Principal John Rowland, AIA, in 2003, and since then has grown into a comprehensive leader of trailblazing design. With sustainability at the heart of an ever-evolving practice, Broughton and her team uplift client wellness and prosperity in every facet of their dynamic projects. It is with this nuanced attention for creative innovation that the visionary embarks upon Aspen Art Week, sharing here with Whitewall what she has a keen eye on at the annual ArtCrush, and the best spot for delicious homemade pasta in between spirited events.
Portrait courtesy of Sarah Broughton.
WHITEWALL: What are you looking forward to in Aspen this week?
SARAH BROUGHTON: We have participated in this week for years and I am looking forward to celebrating the arts in Aspen with many old and new friends! I am especially excited about AUDIENCE PLANT 2024: A performance by Ryan Trecartin in collaboration with Michael Beharie and Lizzie Fitch on top of Aspen Mountain on Thursday night. And then the next day, listening to Pritzker Prize winner and Aspen Art Museum (AAM) architect Shigeru Ban in conversation with Hans Ulrich Obrist.
WW: What do you have your eye on at Art Crush?
SB: Numerous pieces in our collection have come from the AAM auction, and we are excited to keep it going this year with countless great pieces to choose from! I have my eye on several: Zak Prekop’s Calidris, Willa Nasatir’s Neck, Anne Buckwalter’s Late Breakfast, Joan Nelson’s Untitled, and Jeff Zimmerman’s Vine. I love Jacqueline Humphries’s JH753!
WW: What are the exhibitions on your must-see list?
SB: There are awesome exhibitions on view right now. Luckily, Aspen is walkable so you can fit it all in! AAM’s “Allison Katz: In the House of the Trembling Eye”; Baldwin Gallery’s Mickalene Thomas show “myblackisbeautiful” and E.V. Day’s “Velocity Drawings and My Crazy Sunshine”; Marianne Boesky Gallery’s show “Curious Geometries”; “Bauhaus Typography at 100” at the Bayer Center; and of course, the Aspen Art Fair and Intersect Aspen.
Best Aspen Havens for Refreshment and Relaxation
WW: Where are your go-to places to grab a bite or drink in Aspen?
SB: Our go-to’s include: Cache Cache (order one of their homemade pastas to share as a midcourse!), Matsuhisa (order the Gardener drink!), Betula (great cocktails and dj spinning tunes), Ellina (the bruschetta is a favorite) and after a late night show at BellyUp, a slice of pizza and a draft beer at New York Pizza hits the spot!
WW: Best spots to relax in the summer in Aspen?
SB: Part of our religion after a day of hiking or biking is going to the Aspen Music Festival & School music tent to see world-class musicians perform. It is very inspiring and relaxing. Also, last week we took a drawing class with Simon Haas of the Haas Brothers and Liz Ferrill at Anderson Ranch Arts Center. What a gift to be immersed in creating and learning from professional artists in the mountains!
What a gift to be immersed in creating and learning from professional artists in the mountains!
Sarah Broughton
The Best of Aspen According to Sarah Broughton:
1. Prepare to be Dazzled by the 19th Annual Aspen ArtCrush
Luam Melake, “Listening Chair,” courtesy of the artist and R & Company.
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.
2. Explore Mickalene Thomas’s “myblackisbeautiful” with E.V. Day’s “Velocity Drawings & My Crazy Sunshine” at Baldwin Gallery
Mickalene Thomas
“June 1971” 2024, 72 x 58 ¼ in., Rhinestones, acrylic, and oil paint on canvas, mounted on wood panel, courtesy of the artist and Baldwin Gallery.
Baldwin Gallery unveils its momentous second exhibition with luminary Mickalene Thomas alongside its third show with the visionary E.V. Day. Connecting the artistic powerhouses’ insights and enthusiasm throughout visceral and colorful works of art culminates in an unforgettable encounter for viewers.
3. Embark on the Dynamism of Intersect Aspen at the Aspen Ice Garden
Courtesy of Gino Miles.
This week at the Aspen Ice Garden, the celebrated Intersect Aspen Art and Design Fair (with “Design” as a new addition) captivates local and international visitors alike with pioneering modern and contemporary creations on view through August 3. The vibrant 2024 edition ushers in a new era of rich artistic exploration with the first Intersect Aspen Art and Design Artist Award Recipient and Community Partner Beneficiary, as well as a comprehensive schedule of experiences and programming that centers on over 100 luminaries—with highlights like Yigal Ozeri and Zaria Forman—and their thought-provoking works of art.
4. Enjoy Vibrant Homemade Fare at Cache Cache
Courtesy of Cache Cache.
For over 30 years, Cache Cache has been a local Aspen favorite for all the right reasons. Dark and intimate with heartfelt, authentic cuisine, it’s a place where you can feel just as attended to at the bar or at a dining table. Boasting French-American cuisine and an extensive wine list, Cache Cache is regarded for the finer things—from its cuts of steak, caviar, and escargots to homemade pastas and rich desserts.
5. Revel in Aspen Art Museum’s 45th Anniversary Edition of Aspen Art Week
Courtesy of Himali Singh Soin, David Tappesser, and Aspen Art Museum.
This week in Aspen, the fourth annual Aspen Art Week kicks off, reveling in the groundbreaking institution’s 45th anniversary. Spearheaded by Nicola Lees, the Nancy and Bob Magoon Director of the Aspen Art Museum, the sweeping program takes place through August 3, featuring scintillating artist performances, live events, and conversations alongside must-see exhibitions.
