The Art Base

A Handmade Holiday: Tablescapes and Door Decor with Joan Tidwell
2025-12-14 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Denver) | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Celebrate the season with the scent of pine and the joy of making! In this hands-on holiday workshop, you’ll create a beautiful tablescape or door decoration using fresh evergreens, berries, pinecones, and other natural accents. Whether you design a festive centerpiece for your table or a welcoming piece for your front door, you’ll leave with something handmade, fragrant, and uniquely yours.
We’ll provide everything you need—fresh greens, wire, ribbon, and natural embellishments—along with plenty of inspiration and guidance. Come enjoy good company, hot cocoa, and the simple pleasure of crafting with nature. Perfect for all skill levels.
Morning Class

Opening Reception: Inner Workings
2025-12-12 17:00 - 19:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
On view: December 12, 2025 to January 30, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, December 12 from 5 PM- 7 PM

Inner Workings brings together the artists who shape the Art Base on the ground; our staff and instructors from 2025. This lighthearted exhibition offers a look into the creative practices that unfold behind the scenes, highlighting the ideas, experiments, and personal work that run parallel to our community programs. Rather than a “secret life,” this show reveals the true character of our organization: a network of thoughtful, committed local artists whose practices embody our mission and values.

Thank you to our generous 2026 Annual Exhibition Sponsor, Alpine Bank

Exhibition: Inner Workings
2025-12-12 08:00 - 2026-01-30 17:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States

Young at heART Thursday's
2025-12-11 12:15 - 14:15, 2025-12-04 12:15 - 14:15, 2025-11-20 12:15 - 14:15, 2025-11-13 12:15 - 14:15 | Eagle County Community Center, 20 Eagle County Dr, El Jebel, CO, 81623, United States
Unleash your creativity in a fun, engaging, and inspiring senior art class where the only limit is your imagination!
Each session focuses on playful and easy-to-learn techniques, including watercolor painting, acrylics, pastels and more! Classes are perfect for all skill levels. Enjoy a stress-free artistic outlet designed to nurture your creativity while having fun.
No registration necessary. Just arrive day of ready to create!

Art After School (December, Wednesdays)
2025-12-10 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-03 14:00 - 16:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Students meet an Art Base staff at the flagpole, outside BES and walk to the Art Base. Join us for a series of fun classes that teach students how to think creatively and express themselves through art.
Exploring the Roaring Fork Valley: Land, Water, and Sky
In this fun three-part class, kids will discover the amazing world right outside our doors! We’ll explore the plants, animals, rivers, mountains, and skies of the Roaring Fork Valley through creative art projects.
Each session focuses on a different part of our valley’s natural world—painting flowing rivers, building mountain landscapes, and imagining the creatures and colors that make this place so special.
By the end of the series, each young artist will have a beautiful final artwork that brings together everything they’ve learned and created!
Register for Lottery

Open Studio with Tish McFee
2025-12-10 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-03 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-19 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-12 13:00 - 16:00
January 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 2026 (register for series or an individual class)
Thursdays, 1:00-4:00
Open to all skill levels
Supplies Provided
Using your choice of painting medium, benefit from a safe, friendly open studio environment. The instructor will be available for feedback and instruction with any of the elements of painting and drawing, including composition, design, color mixing, paint application, brush strokes, etc. This is a non-structured 3-hour independent work time intended to foster creativity in an atmosphere of encouragement and freedom of expression. Some supplies will be provided or bring your own.

WATERCOLOR STUDIO with Nicole Gogolak
2025-12-08 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-01 14:00 - 16:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or rediscovering your love of art, this weekly class offers a welcoming space to relax, experiment, and grow your skills. This session will focus on watercolor techniques. You’ll explore the essentials of painting—including color mixing, brushwork, paint application, and composition—while building confidence and discovering your own creative style.

All supplies are provided. Just bring your curiosity and enjoy the process of making art in a supportive, inspiring environment.
Register for Series

Register for December 1

Register for December 8

Register for December 15

Deck the Halls with Wooden Ornaments: with Matt Hays
2025-12-06 15:00 - 17:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Get ready to sprinkle some holiday magic! Transform handmade, laser-cut wooden ornaments—designed by local artist Matt Hays—into lasting treasures. Grab the paint, doodle with acrylic pens, add some gem-tastic bling, or collage your heart out. Hang your masterpieces on the tree or surprise someone you love with a one-of-a-kind gift that screams festive cheer!
Register Here

Hues & Brews Holiday Party sponsored by AspenOUT
2025-12-04 17:00 - 19:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Join us for an evening of holiday cheer in partnership with AspenOUT, featuring local artist and designer Matt Hays. Matt has created exclusive, laser-cut ornament designs for everyone to paint and add your personalized touch. Enjoy festive cocktails and light bites in the gallery as you decorate two unique ornaments and toast to a night of creativity, connection, and celebration.
This special evening offers a chance to gather with friends, make something beautiful, and share the joy of art during the holiday season. All are welcome!
Register to reserve your ornaments. Each participant will receive two ornaments upon arrival.

Register for Ornaments Here

Happy Hour with Annie Bell
2025-12-04 16:00 - 18:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Join us for Happy Hour with Annie Bell, a festive closing reception for “Simplicity”. Enjoy drinks and refreshments in a casual environment while celebrating Annie’s exhibition. Visitors are welcome to drop in afterwards for a free ornament-making workshop led by Matt Hays and sponsored by Aspen Out. A relaxed, creative send-off to the show and a chance to make something seasonal with the community.
Free and open to the public.

Painting with Paper & Glue with Annie Bell
2025-11-21 16:00 - 18:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Join us in celebrating an 85-foot drawing-in-progress led by Annie Bell!
Watch the piece take shape in real time or grab a brush and become part of the process. It should be a memorable evening of art making through a fun, dynamic, self-guided collaboration with our exhibiting artist.

ART AFTER SCHOOL (November - WEDNESDAYS)
2025-11-19 15:30 - 17:00, 2025-11-12 15:30 - 17:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
with Nicole Gogolak
November 5, 12, 19, 2025
Wednesdays, 2:30-4:00 PM
Ages: 1st Grade and up
Exploring the Roaring Fork Valley: Land, Water, and Sky
In this fun three-part class, kids will discover the amazing world right outside our doors! We’ll explore the plants, animals, rivers, mountains, and skies of the Roaring Fork Valley through creative art projects.
Each session focuses on a different part of our valley’s natural world—painting flowing rivers, building mountain landscapes, and imagining the creatures and colors that make this place so special.
By the end of the series, each young artist will have a beautiful final artwork that brings together everything they’ve learned and created!

Please email holly@theartbase.org
with any questions.
Register for Lottery

Drawing Portraits with Shawna Miller
2025-11-19 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-11-12 10:00 - 12:30 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Discover the art of portrait drawing in this four-session workshop designed to help you bring faces to life on paper. From mastering proportion and the subtle details of eyes, noses, and mouths to exploring light, shadow, and expression, you’ll gain both technical skills and creative confidence. Each session builds toward a final portrait project, giving you the chance to apply your learning and capture the unique character of your subject. Perfect for beginners and those looking to sharpen their drawing practice.

Session 1: Foundations of Portraiture
Learn the basics of head structure and proportion, and practice quick sketches to train your eye. By the end of this session, you’ll feel more confident placing features and capturing a face in any angle.
Session 2: Features in Focus
Take a closer look at the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Through focused studies, you’ll learn how to draw each feature realistically and begin combining them into expressive faces.
Session 3: Light, Shadow & Form
Discover how light and shadow bring portraits to life. You’ll practice shading techniques to create depth, dimension, and more lifelike drawings.
Session 4: Expression & Character
Move beyond accuracy to capture personality and mood. Quick sketches and longer studies will help you explore how gesture and expression give portraits their unique spark.
Register Here

ART AFTER SCHOOL (November - TUESDAYS)
2025-11-18 15:30 - 17:00, 2025-11-11 15:30 - 17:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
with Sophie Catto
November 4, 11, 18, 2025
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00 PM
1st – 4th Grade
Free

In each session, students will explore a theme through different media—such as collage, painting, sculpture, drawing, paper crafts, textiles, and more! These fun, hands-on classes encourage students to think creatively and express themselves through art.
Location: Students will meet an Art Base staff member at the flagpole outside BES at 3:30 PM and walk to The Art Base.

New Registration Process: Lottery System
Due to overwhelming demand for our Free Tuesday Art After School, we are introducing a lottery system to ensure fair access for all students.
How it works:

Submit your child’s information using the form linked below.

On the 15th of each month, we will randomly draw names for the following month’s classes.

Families will be notified by email with an enrollment link. Make sure you have our email saved!

Important notes:

After participating once, students must wait until the next semester before entering again, so more children can take part.

Only one submission per child per semester is needed (Oct–Dec and Jan–Apr).

To enter the lottery for fall, please complete the form by September 12 at 5:00 PM.

Fall 2025 Sessions

Session 1: October 7, 14, 21, 28

Session 2: November 4, 11, 18

Session 3: December 2, 9, 16

We’re excited to continue offering this free opportunity and appreciate your support as we work to make it accessible to as many families as possible.

Debido a una abrumadora demanda por nuestras clases gratuitas de arte los martes después de escuela (3:30-5:00 pm), estaremos implementando un sistema de lotería para asegurar un acceso justo a todos los estudiantes.
Así es como funcionará: Envía la información de tu hijo(a) llenando la forma que encontrarás en el enlace de abajo. El día 15 de cada mes, sortearemos nombres aleatoriamente para las clases de los meses siguientes. Las familias serán notificadas por correo electrónico, el cual incluirá un enlace para el registro. Después de participar en una ocasión, los estudiantes deberán esperar hasta el siguiente semestre antes de entrar nuevamente, de esta forma más niños y niñas tendrán la oportunidad de participar. Para participar en la lotería, por favor completa la forma antes del 12 de septiembre a las 5:00 pm. (Solo se necesita un registro por niño(a) cada semestre). Estamos emocionados de continuar ofreciendo esta oportunidad gratuita y apreciamos sinceramente tu apoyo mientras trabajamos en hacerlo accesible para tantas familias como sea posible.

Please email holly@theartbase.org
with any questions.
Register for Lottery

Watercolor Studio with Nicole Gogolak
2025-11-17 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-10 14:00 - 16:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Mondays, November 3 – 17 (3 classes)
All Skill Levels
$125 for a series or $45 an individual class
Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or rediscovering your love of art, this weekly class offers a welcoming space to relax, experiment, and grow your skills. This session will focus on watercolor techniques. You’ll explore the essentials of painting—including color mixing, brushwork, paint application, and composition—while building confidence and discovering your own creative style.
All supplies are provided. Just bring your curiosity and enjoy the process of making art in a supportive, inspiring environment.
Register For Single Session
Register For the Series

PAPER JOURNEYS: COLLAGE AS EXPLORATION with Annie Bell
2025-11-15 10:00 - 12:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Discover the joy of spontaneous collage in this playful, hands-on workshop. Through instructor demonstrations and a series of creative challenges, you’ll explore how color, texture, and line can spark fresh ideas and new ways of seeing. Let your unique creative instincts lead the way as you sketch with scissors, paper, and glue. Bring a sketchbook and an open mind—supplies are included, and all skill levels are welcome.
Register Here

MARKS IN MOTION with Tania Dibbs
2025-11-12 18:00 - 20:30 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Discover the dynamic interplay between color and line while exploring acrylic abstract painting with graphite accents. Learn how to layer bold, expressive acrylics with the subtle, gestural quality of graphite to create abstract works that pulse with energy and texture. Experiment with mark-making, color theory, and composition, gaining confidence in your creative process. Whether you are new to painting or looking to expand your artistic vocabulary, this workshop encourages intuition, experimentation, and the development of your unique style.

Register Here
