The Art Base fosters creative expression in the visual arts for all ages and abilities, through education, exhibitions, and providing opportunities to artists.
EDUCATION programs are designed to be accessible to everyone and encourage creative expression and lifelong learning through all-ages visual arts workshops and outreach programs in partnership with local nonprofits and Basalt schools.
EXHIBITIONS present opportunities for solo, group, and guest-curated exhibitions for Colorado-based artists with an emphasis on those living in the Roaring Fork Valley.
History
1996
The Wyly Community Art Center is founded by artist and teacher Deborah Jones, as a project of Compass in Woody Creek, Colorado.
2005
The Wyly forms its own 501(c)(3) and relocates to Basalt, Colorado.
2015
The organization changes its name to the Art Base to better serve as an umbrella for our creative mission.
2016
The Art Base updates its vision as a hub of activity, a gathering place, and a cultural anchor in the Mid-Valley.
2020
The Art Base purchases the Three Bears Building at 174 Midland Avenue in historic downtown Basalt, Colorado and launches the ambitious “A Home of Our Own” capital campaign.
2021
The Art Base moves into the Three Bears Building as part of the first stage of our campaign. As of 2023, this campaign is ongoing, with $1.5 million left to raise to own our home!
Audience
The Art Base serves the Roaring Fork Valley, specifically the midvalley and Basalt community, which includes several adjacent unincorporated areas in both Eagle and Pitkin counties, Garfield County, and the Roaring Fork School District.
Three public schools are located in Basalt with 1,650 enrolled students.
At Basalt High School 70% of students are of a race other than white. Of those students, the majority are culturally linguistically diverse.
At Basalt Elementary, 40% of the student body is on free and reduced lunch.
Annually, the Art Base welcomes more than 10,000 visitors in our community.