The Art Base is pleased to present the first solo exhibition of Aspen artist Leah Potts, entitled Wild Life. The exhibition will feature nearly 50 watercolor paintings of animals. Potts’ original cards and prints will also be available. She says, “The pure elegance of nature’s palette, textures and wildlife has become a constant source of inspiration for my watercolor paintings.” This exhibition will be on view through Saturday, July 31st.

In 1999, Potts was paralyzed from the chest down in a debilitating ski accident. Since that time, with unimaginable courage, tenacity and resilience, Potts has focused on her rehabilitation and rebuilding her life. Part of that recovery, almost 20 years after the accident, meant rediscovering art, painting and creativity. Six years ago, Potts connected with the Art Base and was awarded a scholarship for a two-week painting class. The experience was a catalyst, and she has re-learned how to paint with her non-dominant hand, which she says “frees her brush strokes, giving a blend of realism and impressionistic style that allows her to capture the spirit of the animal.” Potts has evolved to become a successful professional painter and continues to take classes at the Art Base. Curator Lissa Ballinger says, “Leah’s personal story is remarkable, but independent of that, her watercolors are sympathetic and extraordinarily well crafted.  Her animal portraits reveal the very nature and personality of these animals.” Potts says: “The spirit of the animal fills my heart and inspires me through the tough times, pushing me through the struggle.”

The Art Base is pleased to present an exhibition of 30 new drawings by James Surls, entitled Complete Fragments.  Surls refers to this just-completed body of work as “sketches of psychological being”. This exhibition will be on view through Monday, September 27^th.

These 30 pencil drawings are a select group from a series of 56 vignettes that Surls completed during a 20-day water fast. Surls attended a health retreat in Santa Rosa, California this past spring, and during this rigorous health reset, rather than feeling depleted, he described feeling invigorated and found himself inspired. Several drawings are relevant to his surroundings in Santa Rosa, like Dark Thistle. Others show a familiar ‘Surls visual vernacular’ including head forms, molecules, flowers, eyes, and geometric and organic shapes. All the works are visually compelling and are also imbued with great significance and meaning including Deep Dive and Deep Tangle.

The Art Base is pleased to present its first group exhibition in the North Gallery at 174 Midland Ave in historic Basalt.  This exhibition features Roaring Fork Valley artists who are part of the Art Base ‘Circle’ – meaning artists who have exhibited with us during the last 25 years. This exhibition will be on view through August 31, 2021. There will be a community opening on Thursday, June 3^rd from 5-7pm.

The Art Base Circle exhibition celebrates the diversity of artwork and artists that have previously exhibited with the organization. This curated exhibition features artwork in all media, including: painting, photography, porcelain, watercolor, pastel, collage and more. Almost 20 artists will be presented including Art Base founder Deb Jones, Isa Catto, Dick Carter, Ingrid Magidson, Andrea Wallace, Kathy Honea, Allison Stewart, and many more.