When The Aspen Art Museum (AAM) made the tough decision to call off their Holiday Après Party slated for Wednesday, Dec. 28, due to the pandemic, many of its host committee members, patrons and talent for their winter benefit were still in town for the holidays. So the AAM pivoted to present an intimate dinner at Snow Lodge in its place.

The theme of the intended winter benefit, co-chaired by Alexander Hankin and Suzanna Lee, aligned with the current exhibit at the museum, “Andy Warhol: Lifetimes” show, from the invitation to the entertainment to the gift bags. Hankin and Lee were able to bring the benefit to life in its smaller presence, inviting the host committee and members looking to get more involved with the AAM event next year, for dinner and a show on Dec. 29.

They coordinated with Jayma Cardoso – the consummate host – to have the dinner at Snow Lodge featuring a tequila tasting by Alejandra Pelayo, the head of production for Casa Del Sol, entertainment by musician Jake Wesley Rodgers on the baby grand piano, as well as DJs including Timo Weiland spinning before and afterward. Jayma also invited the group to the Chainsmokers show prior, which took place outside in the main courtyard at The St. Regis, for a snowy set presented in part by Belly Up and Snow Lodge.

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Hankin added that the museum was also able to accommodate host committee members for individual tours of the exhibit while they were in town (the AAM was closed for a spell due to COVID). “The show is really spectacular and very interactive,” he shared. “And I was glad to see the museum had such a wide and daring range of the Warhol canon of work, as most major museums have shied away from including his queer and sexual work (on display in one of the lower galleries and age-restricted). It’s truly so unique and unlike any other exhibition I’ve seen – I highly recommend going to see it. Also, make sure you check out the gift store as the museum has really curated fabulous items that I think everyone will surprise you.”

Hankin also noted that the AAM’s goal is that the winter benefit will return in December 2023 and recognized his co-chair this year, Suzanna Lee, along with “Nicola, Angela, Tyler, Jacqulyn, and Amy from AAM and the rest of the museum staff for all their hard work not just on this, but throughout the year, as well as the host committee. And special thanks to Jayma Cardoso who always goes the extra mile to help find a way to make lemons out of lemonade.”

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Visit AAM to see the Warhol exhibit, a major international retrospective, organized by Tate Modern and Museum Ludwig, Cologne in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Ontario and AAM, through March 27, 2022.