A Month of Magic and Lasting Impact
What an extraordinary month it's been.
When we first envisioned our 20th anniversary celebration, we dreamed of something special—a way to honor two decades of bringing bold art to Aspen while creating something lasting for our community. What unfolded exceeded every expectation, proving once again that when visionary art meets generous hearts and collaborative spirit, magic happens.
From the unforgettable unveiling of Shepard Fairey's newest mural at Local's Corner to the sold-out opening nights and unmatched celebrations at Studio Como and The Snow Lodge, we're still buzzing from the energy shared by our entire Aspen community.
Shepard Fairey painting "One Earth" at Local's Corner
A True Gift to the City
At the heart of this celebration was a simple but powerful idea: give Aspen a permanent piece of world-class public art that belongs to everyone. Shepard's second mural in our town—featuring symbols of joy, creativity, and harmony with nature—now graces one of our most visible corners, accessible to all, every single day.
This gift was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of families who believe deeply in the power of public art:
Paul & Sarah Sohn and Melony & Adam Lewis, who also helped bring Shepard's 2018 mural to life, stepped forward once again with their unwavering support. They were joined by Jim & Lisa Lillie, Kevin & Jane Berg, and Warren Lichtenstein, whose collective vision helped transform an idea into a lasting cultural landmark.
And none of this would have been possible without Michael and Lisa Haisfield, who graciously gave us permission to transform their wall at Local's Corner into a public art destination. Now we all can enjoy museum-quality art while filling our gas tanks or grabbing a bag of ice—with Andre the Giant's watchful gaze greeting us. Only in Aspen!
From Street Artist to Civic Treasure
Perhaps no moment captured the significance of this celebration quite like the civic recognition that followed. Mayor Richards, Mayor Pro Tem John Doyle, and the Aspen City Council unanimously supported the mural project and went one step further—presenting Shepard Fairey with the Key to the City and officially proclaiming July 25th as "Shepard Fairey Day" in Aspen.
This honor recognizes Shepard's lasting contributions to public art, education, and cultural legacy in our town. From street artist to civic treasure, this recognition reflects not just one artist's impact, but our community's remarkable embrace of bold, meaningful art that challenges and inspires.
Exhibitions That Captivated
The launch of "One Earth"—Fairey's most expansive solo exhibition in Aspen to date—proved that our community's appetite for exceptional art runs deep. The response was overwhelming: completely sold-out crowds at The Snow Lodge, intimate collector conversations at Studio Como, and hundreds gathering for the public mural unveiling.
212GALLERY presents Shepard Fairey's "One Earth" exhibition at Studio Como Aspen
Studio Como: Where Art Meets Design
Our partnership with Studio Como created something entirely unique during the opening week—a transformed gallery space dedicated entirely to the "One Earth" series. The showroom was reconfigured to create an intimate viewing experience where visitors could focus purely on Shepard's powerful environmental message.
The opening reception, following the mural unveiling, drew collectors and art enthusiasts into this transformed space for an intimate evening with Shepard himself—a rare opportunity that perfectly captured the intersection of sophisticated art and authentic community connection.
Now, as the exhibition continues through September, visitors can experience the work within the context of world-class European design, showing how exceptional art transforms when integrated into thoughtfully curated interiors.
212GALLERY celebrates "One Earth" with a DJ set ft. Shepard Fairey at The Snow Lodge
The Snow Lodge: Art Meets Sound
Saturday night's celebration at The Snow Lodge proved that great art can energize every aspect of cultural life. The exhibition opening showcased the "One Earth" series in an atmospheric setting that allowed visitors to engage with the work in a fresh context.
But the real magic happened when Shepard traded his paintbrush for the turntables, joining The ChickSmokers for a surprise DJ set that had the packed crowd dancing into the night. Art, music, and mountain community—fused in a way only Aspen can deliver.
National Recognition and Press Coverage
The significance of this cultural moment extended far beyond our mountain town, drawing attention from local and national media:
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CBS4 Denver provided television coverage that brought the mural unveiling and community celebration to viewers across Colorado
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Whitewall Magazine, a leading national art publication, featured the exhibitions and their cultural impact
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Aspen Daily News interviewed Fairey in the lead-up to the mural unveiling
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The Aspen Times offered in-depth arts and culture reporting about Fairey’s return to Aspen
This coverage allowed people far beyond Aspen to experience the magic of this cultural moment and understand why public art matters—not just for tourists, but for the soul of a community.
Norm Clasen filming on location in the Virgin River, Utah, 1989
Intersect Aspen: The Perfect Finale
The celebration extended into August with our presentation at Intersect Aspen, where we showcased an extraordinary dialogue between Shepard Fairey's "One Earth" series and the legendary cowboy photography of Norm Clasen. This pairing—environmental activism meets authentic Western iconography—created conversations about American visual culture that resonated with collectors from around the world.
Presenting at one of the art world's most influential summer weekends allowed us to share Aspen's cultural vibrancy with an international audience of serious collectors and cultural leaders.
Still Experiencing the Magic
As the events conclude, the art lives on. For those who missed the celebration or want to experience the work again:
"One Earth" continues on view at Studio Como through September, where visitors can now experience the exhibition in a highly curated space and within the context of elevated European design.
Select works remain on view at The Snow Lodge, where the atmospheric setting continues to offer a unique context for engaging with Shepard's stunning exhibition.
And most importantly, the mural at Local's Corner is now a permanent part of Aspen's cultural landscape—free, accessible, and inspiring to all who encounter it, every single day.
The Partners Who Made It Possible
This extraordinary month was made possible by incredible partners who shared our vision and helped bring every element to life:
Studio Como provides not just exhibition space, but a shared vision and appreciation for sharing and experiencing art within the context of world-class design. Now that the works are displayed among their European furnishings, visitors can see how contemporary art belongs in our daily lives, not just on gallery walls.
The Snow Lodge and St. Regis Aspen continue to offer sophisticated hospitality and an atmospheric setting that perfectly complements the ongoing exhibition.
Local's Corner provided the perfect canvas—a highly visible, community-centered location that made the mural accessible to locals and visitors alike, becoming an instant landmark.
We would also like to thank Aspen Luxury Brokers, The Big Wrap, The ChickSmokers, and Intersect Aspen. These businesses and friends didn't just provide services; they became collaborators in creating something lasting and meaningful for our entire community.
Looking Forward: What This Moment Means
As we reflect on this extraordinary month, we're struck by what it reveals about Aspen's cultural evolution and what's possible when a community truly embraces bold art.
Twenty years ago, when 212GALLERY first opened its doors, we set out to bring cutting-edge contemporary art to a mountain town with rich cultural traditions but limited focus on today's most relevant artistic movements. This month proved that not only has our community embraced that vision—it has become a leader in showing how public art, private collecting, and cultural celebration can coexist beautifully.
From families who stepped forward to fund public art, to city officials who recognized its value with official proclamations, to packed exhibition openings that proved our community's sophisticated artistic appetite—every element demonstrated that Aspen is serious about its cultural future.
A Community That Gets It
But perhaps the most meaningful aspect of this entire celebration was witnessing how naturally our community embraced every element. Local families who joined us to fund public art. City council providing civic recognition. Hundreds gathering for a mural unveiling, then moving seamlessly to intimate gallery receptions and late-night art parties.
This is what it looks like when a community truly understands that great art isn't separate from daily life—it enhances, challenges, and enriches every aspect of how we experience our shared home.
With Heartfelt Gratitude
To everyone who made this month possible—the generous families who funded the mural, the visionary partners who provided space and support, the city officials who offered recognition, the press who amplified the moment, and most importantly, the community members who showed up with enthusiasm and open hearts—thank you.
Twenty years of 212GALLERY, and this feels like just the beginning.
212GALLERY is located in Aspen, Colorado. "One Earth" continues on view at Studio Como through September 2025, with select works at The Snow Lodge. The Shepard Fairey mural is permanently installed at Local's Corner. For information about current exhibitions and private viewings, contact us.
