Situated in the heart of Vail, Colorado’s cultural hub, the new Vail Art Studio in Ford Park offers opportunities for artistic expression, connection and community-building for both locals and visitors. The studio will serve as a gateway to broaden awareness of the expanding public art collection and programs.

Aligned in their shared commitment to fostering artistic growth and enriching community life, the Town of Vail’s Art in Public Places and the Vail Art Studio now have a physical space to deepen community programs. By partnering with local nonprofits and educational establishments, the Art Studio will create engaging opportunities to discover through visual arts.

This year’s winner, Gus, received the grand prize of $5,000 and the opportunity to be featured in the studio.

Artist residencies invite the community into the creative process, offering open studio hours where artists can share their work and spark meaningful connections. The program will rotate between local and national talent, highlighting both seasoned and emerging voices. According to Molly Eppard, the Town of Vail’s Art in Public Places coordinator, the new studio will also host workshops and events centered on each residency. “We can now give artists the opportunity to create in a dedicated local studio,” she says.

Nestled along Gore Creek, the new studio is inspired by the natural environment. The building is designed by Basalt, Colorado-based Harry Teague Architects and is Vail’s first dedicated space to the visual arts. “The space will provide a respite in nature for creativity and reflection,” says Eppard.

The vaulted ceiling and 12-foot walls allow for strategically placed windows that bring in natural light while preserving uninterrupted wall space. Within the 750-square-foot building, there is an open working studio, an entrance foyer, an ADA-accessible bathroom and storage. The amenities and utilities provide the support, environment and light needed for a range of artistic disciplines.

Funding for the Art Studio was made possible through the Real Estate Transfer Tax and the Art in Public Places budget. “We are also receiving a generous financial gift from patrons Vicki and Kent Logan to help launch the programming,” says Eppard.

Launched as a showcase for local artists competing for the first residency in the new Art Studio, the inaugural Vail Art Studio Challenge, first held in August 2025, will now become an annual event. The winner receives a grand prize of $5,000 and the opportunity to be featured in the studio. The event gives Eagle County artists the chance to create live art while sharing their work with the community.

Learn more about programming from the Art Studio by visiting artinvail.com.

Originally published in the winter 2025-26 issue of Spoke+Blossom.

Vail Art Studio Is Open At Ford Park: New Hub For Artists + Community Connection