Anderson Ranch Arts Center
Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a magical place. This story, told mostly in photos, is about my experience at the Ranch in August of 2022. It was my second visit to the Ranch, and every bit as wonderful as my first visit the year before. I was invited to the Ranch to teach workshops in the photography department. When I wasn’t teaching, I was photographing the beautiful surroundings, documenting my experience, and collecting images for future workshops.
Campus Grounds and Architecture
The Arts Center was once a ranch that held log cabins, and wood barns. The campus now holds multiple buildings with ranch style architecture.
Surrounded by Creativity
Anderson Ranch is filled with sculptural art. Some have found their permanent home and others are on temporary loan. I made a concerted effort to photograph every sculpture I found but I’m not sure how accurately I organized them. Some of the art was familiar from the year before and other pieces were new to me.
Workshops and Gatherings
During the week, Monday - Friday, I taught a Lightroom Classic workshop. The following Saturday I taught a one day Digital Drawing workshop. I was envious of the students taking other workshops like, ceramics, woodworking, printmaking, mixed media, and drawing. Some year I’d like to return as a student and get my hands dirty in a drawing or painting workshop.
The week was filled with other activities too. There were multiple artist’s talks, an art auction, intern art sale, and artist receptions.
Snowmass Village
Snowmass is a modern ski town with year round family activities. Mountain biking is very popular in the summer. Bikers take their bikes up on the gondola and then ride down the ski slope trails. The gondola is located in the center of the Base Village (not pictured).
I took several walks up and down the ski slope, and through the Base Village. The beautiful view changes daily. One evening, on the way back to the hotel, I was too tired to finish walking up hill to the hotel. So instead, I rode the free “Skittles” gondola up to the mall above the hotel and finished my trek by walking back down to Stonebridge.
Walking Trails
I walked to campus every morning and back to the hotel in the evening. It would be easier if the hotel was located downhill from the Ranch, but it is the other way around. I took my time to enjoy the scenery and take lots of photos along the way.
Aspen
The town of Aspen is a short 15 minute drive from Snowmass and easily accessible with the free RTFA bus. I regretted not having enough time to see Aspen the previous year, so this year I planned ahead by arriving a day early and staying a half day longer. I figured out the public transportation quickly and rode the bus from Snowmass to Aspen three different times.
Aspen Mountain
I had not visited Aspen the previous year so I didn’t know about the Silver Queen Gondola. I didn’t know that it was an experience I needed to have. My pre travel plan was to make time to ride the Snowmass gondola because I missed out the previous year. I went to the Snowmass gondola ticket office shortly after arriving in town and learned that I could get a multi day pass for a few extra dollars. The multi day pass includes both the Aspen and Snowmass gondolas. With my multi day pass in hand I was ready to board the Aspen Silver Queen gondola first thing the next morning.
The views from Aspen Mountain are stunning. The elevation change (approx 11,000ft) literally took my breath away. Fortunately, I met some nice people to hike with when I reached the top. Being in the company of others helped me pace myself. Together we took plenty of pauses to drink in the scenery and capture some photos along the way.
Snowmass Mountain
The mountain is a bustling place, filled with mountain bikers and young families. Snowmass is beautiful, and the views from the gondola are special, but nothing like Aspen.
At the top of the gondola there are a couple of ski lifts to ride even further up the mountain. There is also an alpine slide that takes you up and slides you back down to the area at the top of the gondola. I rode the Snowmass gondola twice. Both times the ski lifts and the alpine slide were closed. These missed adventures are now at the top of my must do list for next summer.
Aspens, Pine Trees and the Beautiful Landscape
Between my Fuji camera and iPhone I capture over 600 photos during my week long visit. This is a small handful of my favorite landscapes.
Pretty Flowers
I came home with lots of flower images too. Anderson Ranch and the surrounding area are graced with many beautiful summer flower gardens.
My return visit to Anderson Ranch is scheduled for June 2023. I will be teaching a week long iPad digital drawing workshop. I’m grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to be back.
Credits:
© Theresa Jackson