Aspen Art Museum

Organized in collaboration with Poncili Creación (founded 2012, Puerto Rico) and MAPS (founded 2017, New York).

The 2023 Youth Art Expo: Puppets, Masks, and Storytelling is a multifaceted exhibition with a puppetry theme. Taking place every other year, the Youth Art Expo showcases the intersection of youth education and art in an illuminating, inventive environment, and celebrates the unique voices of young artists in the local community.

More than 1,000 artworks made by youth in the Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado, will be on public display in this ambitious exhibition that will span over two-thirds of the Aspen Art Museum in May. Each participating student will become an exhibiting artist in a contemporary art museum—a groundbreaking opportunity that can build their confidence and have life-changing effects. This year’s Youth Art Expo is the outcome of unprecedented mentorship opportunities by the Puerto Rican art collective Poncili Creación and the non-profit MAPS (Music Art Puppet Sound), whose workshops have introduced participants to the power of puppet-making. Through the encouragement of these visiting artists, the students will transform the Aspen Art Museum into a classroom where experimentation and growth can flourish.

The Youth Art Expo is organized by the Aspen Art Museum Education team, which aims to foster creativity, conversation, connection, and community through the experience of art and artists, and to contribute to the cultural vibrancy of the region.

The complete exhibition guide will be available soon through the Bloomberg Connects App. Download the app today!

We are immensely grateful to all the educators who have partnered with us to bring this exhibition to life. This project would not be possible without the collaboration of the Aspen Art Museum Education team, Exhibitions team, Guide and Visitor Services team, Security team, and the entire staff.

See Youth Art Expo 2021