Anderson Ranch Arts Center Announces Inaugural Recognition Week,

2021 International Artist Award Honoree Simone Leigh

First Ever Recognition Week Will Take Place July 12-16, 2021 on the Anderson Ranch Campus

This summer, Anderson Ranch Arts Center will honor Simone Leigh with the International Artist Award at its first ever Recognition Week from July 12-16, 2021.

Anderson Ranch Arts Center, a premier destination in America for art-making and critical dialog since 1966, celebrates creativity and service to the arts by recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of key figures in the art world.

“We are extremely excited to be back together in person this summer to celebrate art, artists and art-making”, said Peter Waanders, President and CEO of Anderson Ranch. “We are embracing ‘the art of change’. The past year allowed us to reconnect with what is important, rely on our foundational strengths, and to think, act, learn and change. That is true for us as individuals and as an organization. We embrace this as we look toward our summer events. 

Simone Leigh is an internationally-recognized artist who knows the Ranch well. She has spent considerable time in our studios and kiln yard making art, so she knows firsthand the role Anderson Ranch serves within the art world. In honoring Simone, we build on the foundations of our organization. Additionally, hosting our Recognition Week on our five-acre, open air campus creates activities surrounded by amazing architecture, studio spaces and art installations, unique to the Ranch. With programs spread across the week, we’ll create new ways to bring our community together with new formats, activations and collaborations with peer organizations. This truly celebrates the art, inspiration, and community at the center of our mission.”

Shortly after her last visit to Anderson Ranch, Leigh said of the award, “I am grateful to receive this prestigious award. It was an honor to fire the Noborigama kiln with Takashi Nakazato and other members of the community. In my short time here, I have already started to have new ideas.”

This year, the Annual Recognition Dinner will be preceded by an entire week of events on the Anderson Ranch campus.  Events will include an in-person celebration of 2021 International Artist Honoree Simone Leigh, including Leigh in conversation with author Saidiya Hartman, a special appearance by The Guerrilla Girls, featured collaborations with Aspen Film, Aspen Words and Jazz Aspen Snowmass, opportunities to purchase artwork, and more. For information on passes and tickets, please call Ellie Hahn at 970/924.5063 or visit https://www.andersonranch.org/recognition-week/