Join the excitement of the second annual Vail Art Studio Challenge, where ten local artists will have three hours to complete a finished work for the chance to win the grand prize of $5,000 and a fall residency at the Vail Art Studio in Ford Park. The Vail Art Studio Challenge takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13 at Avanti Food & Beverage at Golden Peak, rain or shine.
“Cheering on our local artists at this energetic, family-friendly event is an entertaining way to spend the afternoon supporting the visual arts community,” says Molly Eppard, Art in Public Places (AIPP). “The participating artists were selected by the AIPP Board from over 25 applicants who will use a variety of mediums including watercolor, graphite, wood, oil, acrylic and more.”
Spectators can look forward to watching the artwork come to life while enjoying food and drinks for purchase at Avanti. Additionally, music will be provided by Vail Valley favorite Rē K, known for his genre-spanning sets rooted in house music, disco influences, Latin sounds, and tech house rhythms. The event will be emceed by Tricia Swenson along with special guest Gus Gruner, the winning artist of the inaugural Vail Art Studio Challenge.
Generously sponsored by Vicki and Kent Logan with Tye Stockton and Meg Garrido, the Vail Art Studio Challenge was designed to provide a platform for local visual artists to showcase their work. “Thanks to Molly Eppard and the AIPP Board, and their choice to embrace a strategic outlook, Vail has seen a dramatic emergence of a real contemporary arts scene,” says Kent. “With the opening of the Vail Art Studio last year and these two challenges, we have seen how many artists are working hard under the radar. Vicki and I are very happy to support AIPP, and this event in particular, as we are seeing contemporary art finally finding a platform in the Vail Valley.”
The panel of judges for this year’s event are Patrick Cassidy, co-owner and vice president of the Vail International Gallery; Mark Kogan, art collector and patron of the Vail Art Studio; Dr. Peter and Sarah Millett, avid collectors of contemporary, wildlife and sporting art; and Squire Broel, a Washington-based artist who brings over 30 years of experience as a painter and sculptor and manages his own creative consulting business.
This year’s artists include: Yashmine Anderson of Avon, Robert Burch of Vail, Sarah Early of Vail, Sandy Fuller of Vail, Terrance Greer of Avon, Rebecca Harriet of Avon, Ethan Harrison of Minturn, Jessica Pinto of Avon, Andrew Pranger of Edwards and Kelle Roberts of Vail.
Vail Art Studio Challenge 2025 Video
More information can be found at www.artinvail.com
