Stories

Builders of Worlds

April 10, 2025

ACDS students create artworks for Aspen Art Museum Youth Art Expo on “Architecture & Imagination”

post by Nellie Conboy, Middle School art teacher

Sometimes I wonder, do they know? Do they know how cool it is that they get to show their work at the Aspen Art Museum? They might not, but one day, they’ll discover. 

On any given day, a spectator would see that our art room is multiplicitous. Students are weaving, using our cardboard band saw, and quietly sketching by themselves. 

For this spring’s project—the Youth Art Expo at the Aspen Art Museum—students have been working for months. The theme of the show is “Architecture & Imagination,” which is perfect thematic fodder for our team, as they’re all profound builders of worlds. That’s exactly what they’ve produced: an immersive and nuanced experience of worlds. Their final products are impressive. You’ll see for yourself. Their “worlds” stand as their magnum opus of the creative process—not just this “final product.” 

I think the real work of art has been watching them navigate the seas of creativity: coming together and falling apart as groups, allowing each other’s ideas to stand at the helm of their hour in the art room. They have advocated for their needs, made alterations to their ideas, collaborated effectively, persisted through trial, and best of all: they had fun while doing it. 

This project is a byproduct of their discoveries that we don’t get to see: those big questions like, “How do I participate when I don’t agree?”, “How can I make something in my head a reality in my hands?”, and “What do I do when I don’t know what to do?” 

When you visit the Aspen Art Museum with them, you will see how proud they are of their work. Even if they don’t currently recognize what an honor it is to be featured in an internationally meaningful institution, their pride is warranted. My hope is that you also share the pride I feel as their art teacher. Each of them has accomplished profound work as students, as artists, and most importantly, as people. 

You’re invited: AAM exhibit with ACDS artworks

View our artwork at the Aspen Art Museum! There will be an opening celebration on Saturday, April 12 from 10 am-4 pm. The exhibition will remain up until May 11. Congratulations to our students on all their impressive work!