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From a veteran locals show turning 20, to a new Shepard Fairey mural, the launch of AIR, and the return of native daughter, Maria Semple, Aspen\u2019s arts and culture scene continued to excite and delight in 2025. <\/p>\n
\u2018The Local\u2019s Show\u2019 reaches 20th anniversary milestone<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to have a dream. It\u2019s another thing altogether to make it happen. Yet, that\u2019s exactly what Erik Starvan did as the creator of Aspen\u2019s \u201cThe Local\u2019s Show,\u201d now celebrating its 20th anniversary on GrassRoots Community Network and cementing its place as the longest-running local TV show.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the locals that still make this valley truly special, one of a kind,\u201d said Skarvan.<\/p>\n It all began when Skarvan, a local media personality, envisioned a hyperlocal television series that could inspire others. With that in mind, he has produced more than 600 episodes highlighting local talent on this beloved Aspen-centric show.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve learned a lot about the residents,\u201d he said. \u201cThe reason I started the show was to feature locals. I think it\u2019s the most relevant television there is. What\u2019s more relevant than your neighbors?\u201d<\/p>\n He has stayed true to his mantra, refusing sponsorship and funding from entities outside of the area.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Erik\u2019s idea and completely his show,\u201d said John Masters, executive director of America\u2019s original public access television station, GrassRoots Community Network, founded in 1971. \u201cGrassRoots\u00a0doesn\u2019t have any input on what he does. It\u2019s a perfect model and example of what community access is.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The show shoots every Wednesday at Red Brick Center for the Arts and airs on Thursdays. Each year, the show has a winter series, followed by a\u00a0summer series, kicking off in June.<\/p>\n \u2014 Jennika Ingram<\/em><\/p>\n Shepard Fairey returns to Aspen to gift new permanent mural<\/a><\/p>\n World-famous street artist Shepard Fairey returned to Aspen Monday, July 21, to create a new mural for the community \u2014 a permanent work he will be painting from July 22 to July 25.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAspen is a really beautiful place, and I did my show there in 2018,\u201d Fairey said.<\/p>\n Fairey\u2019s return will include a trifecta of the mural, an exhibit, and a celebration, similar to 2018. Globally known as the creator of the iconic Obama \u201cHope\u201d poster, Fairey is a conscientious artist who champions art accessibility for all economic levels.<\/p>\n Locals and visitors alike have been watching Fairey in action, painting from approximately 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The finished mural will be officially unveiled to the public at 5 p.m. on July 25, and Fairey will be present for a free, limited capacity Artist\u2019s Reception at Studio Como from 6 to 8 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tourists Mitch Burger and Anya Brown, visiting Denver from Columbus, Ohio, heard about the mural the morning after they arrived and spontaneously drove up to Aspen just to see the artist at work before driving back to Denver a few hours later.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my favorite artist, so we made the trip out here to see it.\u201d Burger said. \u201cHis pieces are always super beautiful. It\u2019s definitely going to add, rather than subtract. I am excited to see the finished product even if it\u2019s just online.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 Jennika Ingram<\/em><\/p>\n Whistles are calling: Indigenous artist featured at Aspen\u2019s AIR Festival<\/a><\/p>\n Indigenous Artist Cannupa Hanska Luger\u2019s installation of five ceramic whistles, titled \u201cVolume,\u201d is part of the inaugural 2025 Aspen AIR Festival\u2019s \u201cLife As No One Knows It.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The ceramic whistle sculptures will only be on display through the end of the summer at the Aspen Art Museum.<\/p>\n On his way into town last week, the charismatic Luger lost his phone after it flew out of his car and had to be replaced, and there\u2019s a touch of irony in the incident. Luger was en route to debut a sonic art installation, while his own means of communication was temporarily stifled.<\/p>\n \u201cI am on my way into Aspen, and I pitched my phone off the hood of my car at 60 miles per hour!\u201d Luger said of the snafu.<\/p>\n Fortunately, Luger quickly secured a replacement phone in Basalt. Yet the irony didn\u2019t end there \u2014.\u00a0<\/sub>Luger\u2019s installation for the festival was temporarily hushed when he realized he had to reduce the volume so it would be suitable for Aspen locals as it emanated into the landscape.<\/p>\n Yet grit is part of his persona, and nothing deters him as he shares his sonic and spatially immersive works, blending imaginative ideas with technology.<\/p>\n