Event
Ranch Picnic and Auction
Jul 18, 2026 11AM-4PM
A cherished summer tradition!
Join Anderson Ranch Arts Center for one of the most beloved community events in Snowmass Village. For more than 40 years, this free celebration has brought together art lovers, families, collectors, artists, and visitors for a day of creativity, culture, and connection.
As Anderson Ranch celebrates its 60th anniversary this summer, this special event honors six decades of artistic excellence, arts education, and community impact in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond.
Enjoy live music, hands-on children’s art activities, a delicious picnic lunch, and the Ranch’s renowned Silent Auction featuring more than 130 works by leading contemporary artists and talented local creators. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or visiting for the first time, the Picnic and Auction offers a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant creative community that has made Anderson Ranch a nationally recognized destination for art and learning. We can’t wait to see you there!
Free and open to the public. Registration is appreciated.
Schedule of Events
11AM: Silent auction, lunch, and children’s art activities begin
11:30AM: Live music by Wild Flight
2:30PM: Bidding concludes and the silent auction closes
3-4PM: Check out and packaging
Event Details:
Parking: Parking at Anderson Ranch will be available for VIP passholders only. Free public parking is available at Town Park Station with service every 10 minutes to and from Anderson Ranch.
Food & Beverage: Purchase a $17 wristband for all-you-can-eat food provided by the Anderson Ranch Cafe and $7 drink tickets for beer or wine. Free hot dogs, popcorn, lemonade, and iced tea!
Activities: Live music, a photo booth, face painting, lawn games, kid’s art activities and more!
Silent Auction: A silent auction features over 130 works of art by top contemporary artists. Silent auction bidders can register for the event and will be assigned a bid number.
Inclement Weather: We plan to have all of the picnic activities, including food and dining areas, covered by tents so please don’t let a little afternoon rain shower stop you from attending.
We want to extend a special thanks to the sponsors whose generosity helps support this programming.
Curator
Barbara Lee
Barbara left the corporate world after serving as Vice President of Human Resources for a computer software company in Cambridge, MA, to follow her passion for the arts. She became involved in the arts community in Boston, New York, and Aspen. As a Governor at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, for over 20 years, she ran the largest private museum/university-driven art sale in the country, featuring over 5,000 works of art representing more than 800 artists. Barbara served on the board of Anderson Ranch Art Center for six years, curating the summer Live and Silent Auctions. She is currently Chair of Theatre Aspen’s National Council. She also serves on the board of the Center for Art and Advocacy, supporting formerly incarcerated artists. Her past involvements include: Whitney Museum of American Art, New York – National Committee Co-Chair; Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University – Board Member; Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation – Board Member; and Chair of AIDS Action ARTcetera in Boston, which received Best of Boston event honors for two consecutive years. In 2006, she launched bclee+company, an art consulting service for commercial and residential spaces. She twice received the Best of Boston Award. Barbara and her husband, Jonathan Lee, divide their time between Boston and Aspen.
Jul 18, 2026 11AM-4PM
While You're On Campus
Eat
The Ranch Café
The Café is open to the public for lunch from June through September.
The Café is a social hub where students and visitors gather to discuss ideas, plan for new creative experiences, and reflect on shared teachings. Join us for a beautiful buffet lunch offering fresh salads and rotating hot items.
Shop
ArtWorks Store
Art supplies, fine crafts, and gifts.
Store Hours
June-September: Monday – Friday, 9AM-3PM
October-May: Monday – Friday, 1-5PM (except major holidays.)
Explore
Patton-Malott Gallery
This gallery space on the Anderson Ranch campus is home to contemporary and rustic ranch architectural elements and provides the backdrop for rotating exhibitions throughout the year.
Gallery Hours
June-September: Monday – Friday, 9AM-3PM
October-May: Monday – Friday, 1-5PM (except major holidays.)