When you think vibrant art scene, what comes to mind? New York. San Francisco. Miami. According to “American Style Magazine,” Aspen ranks among the top 25 art destinations for small cities.

And no wonder. Walk around all of Aspen’s 10 major streets and it seems every third store is an art gallery. Not only does Aspen offer an animated art scene, lil’ ol’ Snowmass Village is home to incredible artistic talent as well. Here resides Anderson Ranch. Even the big kahunas are taking notice, for Related WestPac has announced they intend to take advantage of surrounding resources and use local artists’ work for the interior design of Snowmass Base Village.

Terry Eaton of Eaton Fine Art, Inc., an art consulting firm for the hospitality industry, has been working with several designers to create the look for the 80-acre resort. Jean Michel Gathy oversees the Viceroy, David Easton is in charge of The Little Nell and Sue Firestone is the head designer for the Key Collection, three buildings of luxury residential units including the Carriage House, the Croft House and the Latigo Lofts.

Related WestPac describes Base Village as a “planned development befitting a world class mountain resort that respects the community's ideology” – so it would stand to reason that the interior aesthetic reflects the spirit of Snowmass as well.

Terry Eaton explained his role in the creative process as being a liaison between designers and the community. He has visited Snowmass Village during each of the four seasons, diving into the community and meeting resident artists to better grasp the local scene. It is a combination of understanding the clientele and selecting the appropriate fabrics and textures that effects the aesthetic environment.

What the designers came up with, based on Eaton’s reports, is a “cowboy chic” look for the Viceroy Hotel, and “casual elegance” for the Little Nell. The Key Collection will also reflect a similar informal refinement. “Cowboy chic” embodies Snowmass’ western vitality and sophistication “without being hokey,” said Natalie Nihill, a project manager for Related WestPac.

Read more on the Snowmass Sun.