The Art Base

Color Reduction Linocut Printmaking: with Curt Carpenter
2026-03-01 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | CO
February 28 and March 1, 2026
Saturday and Sunday, 9:00AM / 3:00PM
Supplies Provided
Open to all skill levels
This intermediate, relief printmaking class focuses on reduction linocuts. In this process, progressive layers of carving and color printing result in rich, vibrant prints. By cutting away more and more of the block in between colors printing, the previous colors are revealed in the prints. Participants design their images, carve their linoleum blocks using a variety of tools, and print a limited-edition series using non-toxic inks on paper. A small class size (limited to 6) will allow for individualized attention. Some art-making experience is recommended.

Register

Art After School (Wednesdays - March)
2026-03-04 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-03-11 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-03-18 15:30 - 17:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States

Abstract Painting Series: with Mindy Vernon
2026-03-04 18:00 - 20:30, 2026-03-11 18:00 - 20:30, 2026-03-18 18:00 - 20:30 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
March 4, 11, and 18, 2026
Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Open to All Skill Levels
Supplies Provided
Discover the freedom of abstract painting! Open to all levels, we’ll explore approaches to abstraction while building strong fundamentals in oil paint: color, composition, mark-making, and dynamic application. With demos, prompts, and individualized guidance, you’ll balance spontaneity with design, gain confidence, and develop your own visual language.
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Mondays - Youth Art Academy (Mosaics)
2026-03-09 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-03-16 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-03-23 15:30 - 17:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
(3-Part Series)
Mondays, March 9, 16, 23
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
3rd Grade +

Young artists will design and create their very own colorful mosaic tray in this fun, hands-on three-part series! This class is specifically designed for older students to stretch their art skills. Using pre-cut glass and ceramic tiles (no glass cutting required), students will explore pattern, color, and texture while learning the fundamentals of mosaic art.
Over three sessions, kids will:

Plan and sketch their tray design
Arrange and glue pre-cut tiles onto a wooden tray base
Learn how to safely apply grout and polish their finished piece

With step-by-step guidance and plenty of creative freedom, each student will build a vibrant, functional mosaic tray to take home and use or gift. This class encourages patience, creativity, and craftsmanship in a supportive studio environment.
All materials are provided. No prior experience needed.

Register Here

Exhibition: Marcia Weese "5 DECADES"
2026-03-13 11:00 - 2026-04-10 17:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Opening Reception: Friday, March 13 from 5 PM- 7 PM
Artist Talk: Friday, March 13 at 5:30 PM
On view: March 13 to April 10, 2026
5 DECADES, a retrospective exhibition of work by Marcia Weese, on view March 13 through April 15, 2026. Spanning more than fifty years of studio practice, the exhibition traces a throughline that has long guided Weese’s work: the belief that beauty does not rise above the muck but depends on it. Echoing the Buddhist refrain “no mud, no lotus,” Weese’s work explores what she calls raw beauty—an interconnected framework where structure and entropy, control and surrender, exist in dynamic balance.
Beginning her career as a sculptor with an interest in site-specific installation, Weese now works primarily in printmaking, with a recent return to ceramics loosely inspired by ancient Egyptian canopic jars. The exhibition moves from early paintings on wood panels to works on paper—including monoprints, solar etchings, and woodcuts—revealing not stylistic departures but a sustained investigation into material integrity and process. Her surfaces, built through transparent layering and subtractive wiping, carry a rugged luminosity that records touch, time, and collaboration with the medium itself.
Throughout the exhibition, recurring motifs from the natural world—trees, whales, birds, dragonflies, mycelial networks, and Fibonacci spirals—reflect Weese’s ongoing fascination with ecological systems and Mother Nature’s capacity to balance ferocity and harmony. Whether cerebral or intuitive, each work embodies a quiet inquiry into interdependence, resilience, and the generative potential of what lies beneath the surface.
The gallery unfolds the story of Marcia Weese’s career, guiding visitors through the many transitions and transformations in her work over five decades. Enter the space and experience the breadth of her artistic journey.

This exhibition is generously sponsored by Aspen Painting Inc., and Dede Reed & Harry Teague.

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

Opening Reception: Marcia Weese "5 DECADES"
2026-03-13 17:00 - 19:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States

Art, Healing + Hope: with Sheri Gaynor
2026-03-14 09:30 - 11:30 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
March 14, 2026
Saturday, 9:30AM / 11:30AM
Open to All Skill Levels
Bring your own journal/all other supplies provided
Registration opens March 1, 2026 @ 8:00am

Experience the power of visual journaling at The Art Base—an uplifting, FUN process for healing, stress relief, and decompression. Explore your inner world through paint, color, and images, making connections and drawing insight from within. All levels welcome; the focus is on process, not the end result. Bring a sketchbook/journal (or purchase one for $20). Supplies included. We can’t wait to see your creativity come to life!
Register

Sunday, March 15 - Crafternoon
2026-03-15 10:00 - 12:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Free family Crafternoons at the Art Base

This monthly arts and crafts program is designed for the whole family. Each session features a new theme inspired by the calendar and seasonal holidays. Bring your children and join in on the fun!
No need to register.
Questions? Please email info@theartbase.org.
Upcoming 2026 Crafternoon dates:

Sunday, March 15, 10 AM — 12 PM Theme: Rainbows & Raindrops (and whispers on kittens)
Sunday, April 12, 10 AM — 12 PM Theme: Butterflies & Bugs
Sunday, May 3, 10 AM — 12 PM Theme: Spring flowers & Frogs (Mother’s Day cards) Open House at the Art Base!

June – September every Sunday at the Basalt Sunday Market, 10 am – 2 pm!

Copper Etching - Pattern, Line & Design: with Karen Edgerly
2026-03-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-25 10:00 - 12:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
March 18 and 25, 2026
Wednesdays, 10:00AM – 12:00PM
Curious about using electricity to create patterns on metal? In this hands-on workshop, students will learn how to electrolytically etch copper to produce striking lines, textures, and designs. We’ll cover the basics of preparing metal, creating resist patterns, and safely using electricity to etch your imagery into the surface. After etching, students will pierce, saw, and refine their copper pieces, transforming them into finished works such as keychains, pendants, or other small objects. This class is perfect for beginners and adventurous makers alike who are interested in combining science, craft, and creative design in a supportive, exploratory studio environment. Limited to 5 participants.
Register

Figure Drawing: with Mike De La Rosa
2026-03-19 17:00 - 19:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Join our bi-monthly Figure Drawing Class!
Every 1st Thursday and 3rd Thursday
Thursday, March 19, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Join us for a relaxed evening figure drawing session open to artists of all levels. Working from a live model, participants will explore gesture, proportion, anatomy, and expressive mark-making through a series of timed poses ranging from quick sketches to longer studies. This monthly class offers a supportive, community-focused environment to practice, experiment, and sharpen your observational drawing skills. Instruction and light guidance will be available, making this an ideal space for both beginners and experienced artists to draw regularly and stay inspired.
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Color Reduction Linocut Printmaking: with Curt Carpenter
2026-03-21 09:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-22 09:00 - 15:00 | CO
March 21 & 22, 2026
Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Supplies Provided
Open to all skill levels
This intermediate, relief printmaking class focuses on reduction linocuts. In this process, progressive layers of carving and color printing result in rich, vibrant prints. By cutting away more and more of the block in between colors, the previous colors are revealed in the prints. Participants design their images, carve their linoleum blocks using a variety of tools, and print a limited-edition series using non-toxic inks on paper. A small class size (limited to 6) will allow for individualized attention. Some art-making experience is recommended.

Register

Suminagashi & Haiku Journals - Art Meets Poetry: with Marcia Weese
2026-03-21 10:00 - 15:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
March 21, 2026
Saturday, 10:00AM / 3:00PM
Discover the tranquil beauty of suminagashi—Japanese floating-ink marbling—as you create one-of-a-kind prints on rice paper. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll also write haiku in the classic 5–7–5 form. Then combine your marbled prints and poems to assemble a handmade journal, with time to add sketches, paint, or reflections in class and at home. Calming, meditative, and expressive—perfect for all skill levels. Supplies included; just bring curiosity and a love of making. No experience needed.
Register

Week of Watercolor: with Sarah Peterson
2026-03-23 10:00 - 2026-03-27 15:30 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
March 23 – 27, 2026
Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Join artist Sarah Peterson for a weeklong immersive watercolor class that deepens your understanding of the medium’s materials, methods, and magic. Embrace watercolor’s unpredictability while learning strategies to guide and refine it, including Alla Prima (wet-on-wet) for fresh, translucent results. With individualized instruction and hands-on guidance, beginners feel supported and returning artists feel challenged. Come expand skills, loosen up, and enjoy dedicated creative time.
Register

Hues and Brews - Oil Pastel Portraiture with Camila Ciembroniewicz
2026-03-24 18:00 - 20:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
In this class you’ll develop portraiture skills through the medium of oil pastel! We’ll explore warm and cool colors and complementary colors to create fun and bright portraits of our friends and loved ones.

4th Tuesday LGBTQIA+ Art & Social Night On the 4th Tuesday of each month, local LGBTQIA+ community and allies gather to socialize, make art, network, and have fun—optionally with an adult beverage. Enjoy a rotating mix of creative projects in a variety of media; no art experience needed. Come as you are, meet new friends, and explore creativity in a welcoming, low-pressure space.

Register Here

Sponsored by ASPEN OUT

Art Lunch with Marcia Weese
2026-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Thursday, March 26
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Join us for Art Lunch with our exhibiting artist, Marcia Weese, as we dine and discuss art and anything else! This is a great chance to walk through their current exhibition, 5 Decades, and ask questions or connect.
Art Lunch is our routine excuse to gather around the table. Bring a bagged lunch and let conversation roam. Some weeks we’ll toss in a discussion prompt to get things rolling, but mostly it’s about food, company, and a potluck of ideas.
5 DECADES, a retrospective exhibition of work by Marcia Weese, on view March 13 through April 15, 2026. Spanning more than fifty years of studio practice, the exhibition traces a throughline that has long guided Weese’s work: the belief that beauty does not rise above the muck but depends on it. Echoing the Buddhist refrain “no mud, no lotus,” Weese’s work explores what she calls raw beauty—an interconnected framework where structure and entropy, control and surrender, exist in dynamic balance.
Beginning her career as a sculptor with an interest in site-specific installation, Weese now works primarily in printmaking, with a recent return to ceramics loosely inspired by ancient Egyptian canopic jars. The exhibition moves from early paintings on wood panels to works on paper—including monoprints, solar etchings, and woodcuts—revealing not stylistic departures but a sustained investigation into material integrity and process. Her surfaces, built through transparent layering and subtractive wiping, carry a rugged luminosity that records touch, time, and collaboration with the medium itself.
Throughout the exhibition, recurring motifs from the natural world—trees, whales, birds, dragonflies, mycelial networks, and Fibonacci spirals—reflect Weese’s ongoing fascination with ecological systems and Mother Nature’s capacity to balance ferocity and harmony. Whether cerebral or intuitive, each work embodies a quiet inquiry into interdependence, resilience, and the generative potential of what lies beneath the surface.
The gallery unfolds the story of Marcia Weese’s career, guiding visitors through the many transitions and transformations in her work over five decades. Enter the space and experience the breadth of her artistic journey.
On view: February 6 to March 6, 2026

This exhibition is generously sponsored by Aspen Painting Inc., and Dede Reed & Harry Teague.
Thank you to our generous 2026 Annual Exhibition Sponsor, Alpine Bank

Caption This! with Larry Day
2026-03-26 18:00 - 20:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
Thursday, March 26
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join us for a night of quick wit, community laughter, and live drawing at CAPTION THIS!, a one-of-a-kind interactive event celebrating humor, art, and imagination. Acclaimed cartoonist Larry Day will draw a series of brand-new cartoons live for the audience to caption in real time.
Each round, participants will have 5 minutes to come up with their best caption. A panel of judges: Raleigh Burleigh (Editor, The Sopris Sun), James Steindler (Contributing Editor, The Sopris Sun), Mike de la Rosa (Gallery Manager, The Art Base) and Alyssa Bozekowski (Senior Communications Associate, The Art Base) will provide commentary and allot points. Extremely modest prizes and ample bragging rights await our local humorists.
This event isn’t about being a professional comedian, everyone’s quips are appreciated as we parse how words and images work together. Beyond participants, guests are also welcome to write, draw along with Larry, or simply enjoy the show.
Come ready to laugh, think, and celebrate the cartoonist’s art form in real time.
Accessibility
The Art Base is wheelchair accessible, along with ground-floor restroom. Seating will be arranged for clear sightlines and easy movement. Amplified sound and projected drawings ensure visibility and audibility for all guests. Participants who need assistance writing or submitting captions please reach out to mike@theartbase.org.
Register Here

Ukrainian Egg Decorating for Adults: with Alison Viola
2026-03-28 14:00 - 16:30 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
March 28, 2026
Saturday, 2:00PM – 4:30PM
All Skill Levels Welcome
Supplies Provided
Pysanky are traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs decorated with intricate designs using a wax-resist (batik-style) technique. The word pysanky means “to write,” reflecting the process of “writing” patterns onto the eggshell with melted beeswax before dyeing. Create a one-of-a-kind design—no two eggs ever turn out the same.
Register

Week of Watercolor: March 30 - April 3, 2026
2026-03-30 10:00 - 2026-04-03 15:30 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
March 30 – April 3, 2026
Monday – Friday, 10:00AM / 3:30PM
Join artist Sarah Peterson for a weeklong immersive watercolor class that deepens your understanding of the medium’s materials, methods, and magic. Embrace watercolor’s unpredictability while learning strategies to guide and refine it, including Alla Prima (wet-on-wet) for fresh, translucent results. With individualized instruction and hands-on guidance, beginners feel supported and returning artists feel challenged. Come expand skills, loosen up, and enjoy dedicated creative time.
Register

Watercolor Techniques, Methods & Creative Exploration Series: with Rebecca Stirling
2026-04-01 10:00 - 12:30 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 2026 (4 classes)
Wednesdays, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
All Skill Levels Welcome
Supplies Provided
Discover watercolor’s versatility in a skill-building, creatively rich course. Learn wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, salt texture, and wax resist, plus paint handling, layering, and composition. Build confidence with guided exercises, then create finished pieces: a landscape, floral portrait, and expressive watercolor collage. All levels welcome—experiment, refine your style, and deepen your understanding of watercolor as a medium of personal expression.
Register

Art After School (Wednesdays - April)
2026-04-01 15:30 - 17:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
This after-school art class is a creative playground for middle school students who love to make, experiment, and try new things.

Ink + Drink: with Marcia Weese
2026-04-01 18:00 - 20:00 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
April 1, 2026
Wednesday, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Supplies Provided
No experience necessary
Ink + Drink is a fun, social intro to printmaking using plexiglass plates and a sharp tool to create your design. You’ll learn how to safely carve lines into plexi, roll on ink, and print your image by hand—then experiment with layering, texture, and color. Leave with a small edition of prints (great for cards or gifts) and the know-how to keep printing at home. Snacks and beverages included.
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Oil Painting: with Matt Hays (Session I)
2026-04-02 13:00 - 15:30 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave., Basalt, CO, 81621, United States
April 2 – 23, 2026
Thursdays, 1:00PM – 3:30PM
All Skill Levels
Supplies Provided
Explore the full painting process from start to finish, with an emphasis on using light to create depth, atmosphere, and life. Learn surface prep and why it matters, then dive into underpainting, grisaille, and the slow build of color through glazing and finishing. With demos, guided practice, and individual feedback, you’ll strengthen values, form, and luminosity at every stage—great for oil beginners or painters refining their process.
Register
