FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Buckhorn Public Arts Announces Winter 2025 Programming in Aspen
Featuring ‘Symbolic Peace,’ ‘Both/And: A Visual Opera by LUCIA’, And RY X
Aspen, CO — December 2, 2025 — Buckhorn Public Arts announces its Winter 2025
programming, presented in collaboration with the Wheeler Opera House and Aspen
Public Art. This season’s lineup features three cultural activations across Aspen,
including the installation of ‘Symbolic Peace’ in the Wheeler Parcel, the one-night
presentation of ‘Both/And: A Visual Opera’ by LUCIA, and a special performance by
Grammy-nominated artist RY X inside the historic Wheeler Opera House.
Together, these events reflect Buckhorn Public Arts’ commitment to public access,
creative expression, and community-centered cultural experiences.
‘Symbolic Peace’ at Wheeler Parcel
Installed November 2025
‘Symbolic Peace’ is a 10-foot-tall illuminated steel sculpture in the shape of a peace
sign, conceived by artist Mathew Rosenblatt and lit by Liquid PXL. Each facade is laser
cut with a range of religious and non-religious symbols that represent the many paths
toward unity and coexistence. The piece brings a message of light and reflection to
Aspen’s winter season.
“Buckhorn Public Arts is pleased to bring this work to Aspen to illuminate the winter with
a message of peace and unity. Public art has a way of bringing people together, and thiswork exemplifies that mission,” said Tim Sack, executive director of Buckhorn Public
Arts.
Presented by the Wheeler Opera House. In association with Buckhorn Public Arts and
Aspen Public Art.
‘Both/And: A Visual Opera’ by LUCIA
December 12, 2025
5:30 to 9:30 p.m. | Public event
For one night only, the Wheeler Opera House will be transformed by ‘Both/And,’ a
projection-mapping installation by artist LUCIA. The activation blankets the exterior of
the building in shifting light, color, sound, music, and movement, creating an immersive
visual experience for audiences during the Wintersköl season. Sound and music
accompany the performance.
“We are pleased to bring this large-scale visual installation back to the Wheeler during
Wintersköl. ‘Both/And’ reimagines the exterior of the Opera House with projection, light,
and sound, offering the community a chance to experience the building in a new way,”
said Mike Harrington, director of the Wheeler Opera House.
Presented by the Wheeler Opera House in partnership with Buckhorn Public Arts and
Aspen Public Art.
Buckhorn Public Arts and Wheeler Presents RY X
December 19, 2025
Member reception 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Doors 7:30 p.m.
Performance 8 p.m.
Buckhorn Public Arts will present RY X, hosted at the Wheeler Opera House, for a
special winter performance marking one of the season’s most anticipated cultural
events. Buckhorn Social Club members will receive access to a private pre-show
reception before the concert.“We are profoundly honored to welcome Grammy-nominated international artist RY X to
Aspen for a rare and powerful performance that will ignite the start of the winter season
Gratitude Boxes: A Community Art Activation in Snowmass Village
This winter, Buckhorn Public Arts is expanding its public art footprint with Gratitude
Boxes, an interactive community installation developed in collaboration with artist
Sophia Green, Headquarters, and The Collective Snowmass. The project builds on
Green’s earlier “Complaint” and “Complement” Boxes and introduces a new winter
theme centered on mental health and community connection.
Three Gratitude Box locations will be available to the public throughout the season:
inside The Collective on the upper level, at the top of the escalator exiting the transit
center, and near the residential garage entrance in Snowmass Village. The activation
invites visitors to share reflections of gratitude as part of an ongoing community
dialogue.
Season-long installation. Images will be available.at the Wheeler Opera House,” said
Sack. “RY stands among the most soulful and transfixing performers of our time. To
present him in Aspen, within the storied walls of the famed Wheeler Opera House, will
be one of the top shows of the season.”
Tickets are available at wheeleroperahouse.com. General admission is $100, with a
limited number of local or Wheeler Insider tickets available for $80. Sponsors to be
announced.
Buckhorn Social Club Membership
Membership supports Buckhorn Public Arts’ year-round public art programming and
community events. Members receive access to Buckhorn Social Club events,
limited-edition merchandise, and partner perks. Membership is the organization’s
primary fundraising model and helps sustain installations, programs, and artist-driven
initiatives throughout the year. Details are available at
buckhornpublicarts.org/membership.Additional Community Programming
Buckhorn Public Arts also collaborates with Snowmass Tourism on Winter Windows, a
Wintersköl initiative that pairs Roaring Fork Valley artists and designers with local
businesses at Snowmass Mall and Base Village. The event runs from Dec. 11 to 14,
with awards hosted on Dec. 12. Installations will remain on display through December,
and community voting will be open through the end of the year. “The return of the
Buckhorn Public Arts Winter Windows perfectly complements the spirit of Wintersköl,
celebrating the joy of winter and the strength of our community,” said Julie Hardman,
Senior Director of Events for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA). “By
pairing local artists with local businesses, we’re showcasing the creativity and enduring
mountain spirit that makes our Wintersköl event so special.”
ABOUT BUCKHORN PUBLIC ARTS
Buckhorn Public Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding public access
to contemporary art in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. Through public installations,
partnerships, and year-round events, Buckhorn Public Arts fosters cultural experiences
that are free, inclusive, and community-driven. More information is available at
buckhornpublicarts.org.
ABOUT THE WHEELER OPERA HOUSE
Since 1889, the Wheeler Opera House has been Aspen’s favorite year-round
performance venue and has become the Roaring Fork Valley’s premiere site for
concerts, films, festivals, lectures, community events, and more. The Wheeler takes
extraordinary pride in being a part of Aspen’s history as a gathering place and a space
for artistic expression in our community. Its vision is to set the stage for connections that
create memories for audiences, artists, and the greater Aspen community.
MEDIA ASSETS
High-resolution images of Symbolic Peace and the Wheeler Opera House installation
are available here. Please credit White Room Imaging for Symbolic Peace images andJordan Curet for Wheeler Opera House images. All images are provided for editorial
use only.
PRESS CONTACT
Lolli Johns, Lollied
hello@lollied.com
Lea Tucker, Principal, LLT.ltd.
lea@lucyleatucker.net
SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @buckhornpublicarts
