Press Release
City of Aspen honors participants from the Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship
Aspen, CO – The city of Aspen, the Red Brick Center for the Arts, and the Wheeler Opera House hosted the second annual Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship celebration at the Vault Bar Lobby at the Wheeler Opera House on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
At the event, grant participants showcased their projects and shared fellowship impacts with family, friends, grant committee members and community members. A panel discussion led by art program facilitators Renee Prince and Cassidy Willey featured all seven youth and 12 adult fellows, who reflected on how their artwork influenced personal growth and benefited the Aspen community. Attendees engaged with the fellows during a question-and-answer session.
Fellowship participants shared that the Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship has opened doors to new styles, ideas, and ways of making art. Being surrounded by other artists encouraged them to take risks, explore different media, and step outside their comfort zones. Thoughtful feedback helped refine their practice and stay true to the message behind their work. Along the way, they also formed meaningful bonds with their peers.
Youth participants found the fellowship instrumental in both supporting their projects and recognizing art as integral to their identity and future. They encourage other young artists to pursue their creative paths confidently.
Artist Livier Cruz Guerrero, an adult cohort member, expressed her appreciation for the fellowship.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the city of Aspen for supporting the artistic community and offering me the opportunity to participate in this fellowship,” she said. “This experience has allowed me to broaden my network of artistic colleagues, leading to collaborative opportunities and constructive feedback on my work.
“The collaboration within this fellowship has enabled me to create a family show involving music, theater, and tabletop puppets titled 'The Circus of Life,' which features a series of short stories inspired by personal life experiences."
The Red Brick Center for the Arts has played a key role in administering the fellowship program. Sarah Roy, Red Brick Center for the Arts director, highlighted the impact the fellowship has had on the local arts community.
“In its second year, the Aspen Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship utilizes the Arts and Culture Real Estate Transfer Tax to support local artists,” Roy said. “This grant gives artists the freedom to experiment and grow without the pressure of producing a final product, fostering risk-taking and a deeper focus on the creative process.
“Artists and their work are essential to our community, they help build connections, inspire compassion, and bring beauty into our lives. Investing in artists and their work enriches our community and strengthens the vibrancy of our local arts and culture.”
The Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship continues to promote individual growth and creativity, helping transform Aspen into a community where arts and culture thrive together. For more information on the Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship, visit https://www.aspen.gov
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For more information, please contact:
Sarah Roy, Red Brick Center of the Arts director
Phone: 970.429.2777
Email: sarah.roy@aspen.gov
Mariela Hale, digital communications coordinator
Phone: 970.309.9959
Email: mariela.hale@aspen.gov