In Brief: Aspen Community Picnic, Aspen Institute guests, new sculpture in Basalt, Basalt public mini golf
Courtesy Photo/The Town of Basalt
Aspen to host its annual community picnic Saturday
Between 1 and 3 p.m., the first 750 visitors to Paepcke Park on Aug. 17 for Aspen’s annual Community Picnic will be treated to complimentary meals courtesy of Slow Groovin’ BBQ, Rolling Fork Food Trucks, and ice cream from The Dreamer Co.
Aspen Mayor Rachel Richards will be in attendance alongside possible appearances from other city council members.
Buffalo Joe will be playing live blue-grass music to accompany the community event.
Aspen Institute welcomes two new guests: Former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade and Chef Lidia Bastianich
The Aspen Institute will be welcoming two new guests on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 12 and 13.
On Tuesday, former U.S. Attorney and professor at the University of Michigan Law School, Barabara McQuade will be discussing disinformation, its origins, how it is weaponized, and what people can do to defend against disinformation.
On Wednesday, the Aspen Institute will be hosting acclaimed chef and restaurateur, Lidia Bastianich. Bastianich will be talking with Cory Kummer, executive director at the Food & Society Program at the Aspen Institute, about her stories in the culinary world from humble beginnings to international acclaim.
The two will also be discussing how cooking traditions bring generations together, preserve cultural heritage, and foster community.
Both events are taking place from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Paepcke Auditorium at the Aspen Institute. For more information and for registration, go to https://www.aspeninstitute.org/
The Art Base and Basalt partner to bring new sculpture to Midland Avenue
Basalt has joined forces with The Art Base to place a sculpture on Midland Avenue.
The sculpture, titled Mountain Storm, which was designed and created by the late local artist Laura Thorne, was installed in front of the Art Base on Midland Avenue.
Thorne was a transformative figure in the Roaring Fork Valley arts community and co-founder of the Aspen Art Museum. She dedicated her life to advancing the arts and mentoring emerging artists and was known for her work in steel and print media.
“Laura would be happy knowing it will be enjoyed by many. Her spirit continues to enrich our cultural landscape in the most inspiring way,” said Annie Henninger, executive director of the Art Base in the press release.
Basalt opens up a new, 9-hole public mini-golf course in collaboration with local artist
The town of Basalt announced the opening of a mini-golf course designed and created by local artist Hudson McNamee of Osprey Design Studio.
The course was designed by the Basalt-based artist to pay tribute to Basalt’s history using sustainable and recycled materials.
“Ninety percent of the materials are reclaimed, and include railroad ties and materials the Town already had, like marble, stone, and reclaimed barnwood,” McNamee said in a press release.
The course explores the Midway Railroad, Frying Pan River, Basalt Agricultural orchards, Basalt geological features, two river confluence, the Lake Christine Fire, and more.
“This mini-golf course was born out of inspiration for additional art in Town as well as the need for temporary activation of this site,” Planning Director Michelle Thibeault said in the release. “We are absolutely delighted with the results.”
The course is a temporary installation on this town-owned property until Basalt determines a future use. Balls and clubs are available based on the honor system.
