Today we’d like to introduce you to Skye Weinglass.
Skye, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I created the Skye Gallery to combine the two passions I care most about community and art. Having grown up in Aspen, Colorado, I personally strive to both maintain, as well as add to, its creative spark and funky atmosphere that it has always been known for. In Aspen in the ’80s my dad opened a store called Boogie’s Diner, it was a cool retail store downstairs and a 50’s diner upstairs, he opened it so Aspen would have a casual spot for the community to hang… 35 years later, Boogie’s became an important institution for the Aspen locals. Every day after school growing up, my friends and I would go to Boogie’s to share a banana split, and every weekend, I would work there.
Eventually, I was running my dads business meanwhile being an artist on the side. Those qualities of being a businesswoman as well as an artist are what brought me to my vision of opening a gallery one day. After detecting a strong need for an exhibition space in Aspen that shows genuine artists, not just commercial art, I decided to venture into my own gallery space to highlight the art and culture that exists in Aspen and beyond.
First opening it’s doors in 2016, Skye Gallery set out to be a collective of both emerging and established artists, on a local and global scale. As a female gallerist, my mission is to promote underground artistic powerhouses (especially female) as well as support the Aspen community and culture through various forms of self-expression. In addition to art exhibitions, Skye Gallery hosts a variety of educational workshops, creative pop-ups, live music and more.
I have always been most inspired by the people who follow their dreams, so it is my mission to help support these people who pave their own path in order to pursue their passions. I’ve been an artist my whole life, so creating art, experiencing art, and supporting art are what I’m most passionate about. I opened a gallery to provide artists with a platform to display their creations and to inspire them to continue creating. Unlike any other space in town, the shows at Skye Gallery last for a duration of six weeks, highlighting either one artist or a small curated group of artists at a time.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The “wild-west” ski town of Aspen has always been home to the funky and free spirit, and I will do whatever it takes to keep that energy alive. Sadly, with rent prices being raised every day, the smaller local businesses that have been staples here are getting replaced by larger corporate companies with no remorse. Although these larger corporations may be able to afford the high rent, they could care less about breathing any sort of actual life into this community that we all know and love. Anyone who lives here knows how apparent this is, and how heartbreaking this is. I am determined to keep Aspen funky and to keep Skye Gallery a community space where people can freely gather, learn, live, and express themselves on a unique local and intimate level.
Another obstacle of having a business is simply being a female in a male dominant industry. Being an artist myself, I understand how underrepresented female artists are. One of my main goals with the gallery is to help change that by representing many females artists!
My advice for women starting their journey is to believe in yourself, trust your intuition and express yourself freely. Don’t be afraid to fake it till you make it (you’ll realize most people do). Your hard work will pay off, remember to be proud of yourself along the way.
Along your path, you may encounter men or haters trying to bring you down. Don’t let them! Stand up for yourself. Whenever discouraging moments may arise, just keep your head up and believe in yourself. You are capable of anything and everything, I believe anything is possible given a lot of hard work and a lot of heart.
Please tell us more about your artwork, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As an artist, I am a printmaker and an oil painter, mainly focusing on intaglio etching and woodblock prints, mastering these challenging mediums helped me gain an appreciation for genuine artists who work hard. At the Gallery, I strive to support the most unique artists who have a lot of heart, inspiring creativity, and a strong work ethic.
I feel I’m different from most artists because I also have a business background and an entrepreneurial spirit, so I combined that business and art to open Skye Gallery.
We’re different than other galleries for many reasons… Skye Gallery team is made up of all women, we represent majority female artists and Colorado-based artists, we have rotating shows every 6 weeks highlighting specific artists, and we host opening receptions, artist talks, educational workshops, and community events. It’s also rare these days for a lifetime Aspen local to own a business in Aspen, and I plan to eventually expand the gallery into more locations across the world!
Which women have inspired you in your life?
I am most inspired by Frida Kahlo for being a female artist in the ’40s in Mexico. She created art no matter what was up against her, be it either creating in a male dominant society or even when she was injured and the bed was ridden. Ruth Bader Ginsberg inspires me for fighting against gender discrimination and being on the supreme court in the USA. And finally, my mom and all women for growing and birthing every human that exists out there!
Contact Info:
- Address: Skye Gallery Aspen
535 E. Cooper Ave.
Aspen, CO 81611 - Website: www.skyegalleryaspen.com
- Phone: 970.710.7401
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @skyegalleryaspen
- Facebook: @SkyeGalleryAspen
- Other: https://www.artsy.net/skye-gallery-aspen
Image Credit:
Spencer Hansen Art, Seth Beckton photo, Mister Michelle artwork
Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
