Vest Burton: Doing the work here in the Roaring Fork Valley
The recent Safe Passages exhibition at the Aspen Chapel Gallery gathered a striking roster of local artists to turn the everyday roadways of the Roaring Fork Valley into a canvas of reflection and hope.
Curated with care by Greg Poschman, the show presented works that range from stark portrayals of highways as graveyards to vibrant bursts of colour that suggest new possibilities for safer travel. Artists such as Cam Burns, Katalin Domoszlay and Ellen Woods invited viewers to see familiar routes through a fresh, compassionate lens.
Beyond the walls, the event became a true "third place" for the community. An artist talk moderated by Andrew Travers, a walk‑through with the CDOT executive director, and the presence of local advocates turned the gallery into a hub where neighbors, policymakers and creators could dialogue about making passage safer for every living thing in the valley.
The collaborative spirit—volunteers hanging art, serving wine, and cleaning late into the night—underscored a shared commitment to re‑imagining mobility. As the exhibition marked the gallery’s 40th year, it also affirmed that art can drive conversation and inspire tangible change in the Roaring Fork Valley.