Aspen Peak Magazine

Power Couple: Soledad and Bob Hurst

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Soledad and Bob Hurst enjoy the view from the ridge

When I pull into Red Butte Ranch, I’m not exactly sure where the main house is despite the clear directions that were e-mailed me by Soledad Hurst. There are several buildings and a large barn with enough spaces to call it a parking lot, so I leave my car there. The property is sprawling, with a swimming pool, horse pasture and panoramic views, but it’s also nestled into the steep hillsides of the Roaring Fork River Valley.

In a way, it’s the perfect introduction to Bob and Soledad Hurst’s world, at least the one they’ve created in Aspen (the couple resides in Paris part-time).

“We both come from modest backgrounds,” Soledad says as we settle into the couple’s living room that overlooks downtown Aspen and the surrounding mountains. “So it’s very important to us, as citizens of this community and of the world, to help people who are at a disadvantage. We feel a responsibility. It’s what drives both of us to some extent.”

When it comes to drive, both Soledad and Bob have plenty of it. She graduated from Yale Law School and worked in New York as a lawyer and investment banker, and has served on the FINCA board for a decade. Bob retired as vice chairman at Goldman Sachs after 30 years. Currently, he is a partner at Aspen-based Crestview Advisors, and is cochairman of the Whitney Museum of American Art.

But for the most part, this powerful couple has taken all the ambition they’d put into their careers and focused it on the nonprofit sector. “You have to be passionate, to work with causes that have personal meaning; that resonate. It has to be about more than giving or raising money,” Soledad explains.

When it comes to local causes, the couple is dedicated to supporting the cultural arts. Bob calls the Aspen Music Festival and School and The Aspen Institute “the twin cultural pillars of Aspen.” He serves on the board of trustees at both The Aspen Institute and the Aspen Music Festival and School. And the Hursts recently made a significant donation to The Aspen Institute to support community outreach programs. Soledad serves on the board of trustees for Theatre Aspen, is VP of the board of trustees of the Aspen Country Day School, where their two young children go when the family is in Aspen, and serves on the board of directors of The Buddy Program.

“We have made a conscious decision to get involved with this community,” adds Bob. “That’s our focus moving forward. We want to get involved. We want to make a difference.”

Film Focus: Ted Davenport Stars in Winter

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:48:00 -0500

Ted Davenport

Ted Davenport, an expert in Big Mountain Skiing and B.A.S.E. Jumping, was forced to skip the 2012 Winter X Games because he’s recovering from injuries sustained in last summer’s World Heli Challenge, which he had won in 2009 and ’10. He’s not far from the spotlight, though, as his fans can see plenty of him in The Ski Channel produced movie Winter.

The buzz around Winter just keeps getting bigger and the film has already received 12 awards. Davenport is one of the stars of the show and he had a great time making the movie. “A big part of my segment in Winter is about my trip to Baffin Island,” he remembers. “It was a 30-day big wall B.A.S.E Jumping expedition, flying our wingsuits off some of the largest rock walls in the world. There are some major highs and major lows of the trip that Winter encapsulates very well.”

The scenes Davenport is referring to are just a small part of the movie, as it was filmed at 100 different locations around the world. It took one year to complete. In addition to Davenport, 17 other extreme sports experts participated in Winter, including Sarah Burke, who recently died after a ski accident. The movie also has a popular soundtrack that features songs from the Gavin Rossdale’s recently reunited band, Bush.

Though he attended Winter's Hollywood premiere, Davenport has missed some of the movie's showings—including an award-winning performance at the Las Vegas International Film Festival—because of the accident in New Zealand. “I hit a rock in the middle of my run,” Davenport explains, “and broke my left tib/fib and right calcaneus [heel bone].”

Davenport has been living in Aspen for the past seven years and is a big fan, “I can’t think of a better place to call home. The endless activities and amazing people make it the greatest place on earth.” As much as he loves the city, he’s ready to get moving after spending so long rehabbing from his injuries. He predicts it won’t be too much longer before he is back competing on the slopes.

“After four months in a wheelchair, I am back on my feet and healing strong. I’ll be back in full force next season. I can’t wait to ski some powder and fly my wingsuit!”

Cutting-Edge Art Galleries in Aspen

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

On display at Forre & Co. Fine Art Gallery: Judith Kindler’s Looking for a Sense of Home

Vickers Collection
Featuring extraordinary pieces by established and emerging artists, The Vickers Collection represents more than 50 painters, sculptors, and photographers and maintains a year-round collection of thought-provoking works. With locations in Vail and Aspen, the gallery exhibits Bill Braun, Joey Lancaster, Bill Starke, and Sandra Brue, among others. 525 E. Cooper Ave., 970-925-9484

Christopher Martin Gallery
Presenting original, contemporary “reverse-glass” paintings by Texas artist Christopher Martin, each piece reveals a strong connection to nature, and its patterns employ layers of iridescent paint applied to sheets of acrylic. Imbued with color, these minimalist explorations on canvas expose the effects of heat, wind, and water. Also on exhibit are a photographic series of New York City by Martin and sculptural works by renowned artist Nancy Lovendahl. 525 E. Cooper Ave., 970-925-7649

Anderson Ranch Arts Center
Located in Snowmass Village, Anderson Ranch is a cultural hotbed and home to one of the most respected visual arts programs in the country. The 46-year-old organization is located on a historic mountain ranch and offers year-round art education through workshops, artists’ residencies, gallery exhibitions, public events, artists’ lectures and more. 5263 Owl Creek Rd., Snowmass Village, 970-923-3181

Baldwin Gallery
Since 1994, the Baldwin Gallery has been presenting new works by established artists, with a focus on American art. Upcoming shows include “The Urethra Postcard Art of Gilbert & George” (Dec. 26-Jan. 29, 2012). Located in the heart of Aspen, it’s an international hub of contemporary art, frequented by skiers, socialites, and art aficionados alike. 209 S. Galena St., 970-920-9797

Forre & Co. Fine Art Gallery
This downtown gallery hosts some of the most intriguing exhibitions in town. Recent shows include works by Ashley Collins, the Spanish Masters (Picasso, Dali, and Miro) and Judith Kindler, while upcoming 2012 shows include Mahi Binebine’s “Inner World” – (Jan. 2012) and a one-man show by H. Claude Pissarro (Feb. 2012). 426 E. Hyman Ave., 970-544-1607; forrefineart.com

The Drasner Gallery
Lora Drasner describes the artwork in her new gallery as “bright and happy.” Featuring works by Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, Warhol, Murakami, LaChapelle, Rothko, and Jasper Johns, she says, “I think people appreciate walking into a gallery where several types of art live together.” The gallery also features her own giclee-print photography and is the exclusive Colorado gallery representing lithograph prints from the Mourlot Estate in Paris. 520 E. Hyman Ave., 970-920-3500; drasnergallery.com

Aspen Art Museum
The Aspen Art Museum is a cultural hub of town, with incredible rotating exhibitions year-round. Upcoming shows include paintings and drawings by Mark Grotjahn (Feb. 17-April 29). The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue that features essays by Aspen Art Museum Director, CEO, and Chief Curator Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson and others. The Nation art critic Barry Schwabsky will also be on hand to discuss the Grotjahn exhibition (March 15). 590 N. Mill St., 970-925-8050

5 Desserts We Crave

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:51:00 -0500

End your day with the sweetest indulgences from our favorite restaurants around Aspen. Below, our top dessert picks:

1. Campo di Fiori's tiramisu is so authentic, you'll feel like you are in Italy. Layered with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone and coco powder, this is the perfect way to cap off your evening. 205 S Mill Street, 970-920-7717

2. Jimmy's outrageously chocolaty Volcano Cake is a one of a kind dessert, with a gooey molten center and a hot fudge sauce topping. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy it. 205 S Mill Street, 970-925-6020

3. Indulge your craving for the perfect cheesecake with Il Mulino New York's Torta di Formaggio di Casa. Homemade Italian style cheesecake topped with freshly whipped cream and fresh berries, this dessert will satisfy any sweet tooth. 501 E. Dean Street, 970-205-1000

4. Cozy up next to the fireplace at the St. Regis and order the Campfire Smores, a twist on the timeless favorite treat. Homemade marshmallows (which you roast to perfection yourself), graham crackers and molten ganache leave you feeling satisfied. 315 E. Dean Street, 970-920-3300

5. Elevation's Dutch apple crumble is better than your grandmother's recipe. Sliced apples lightly sweetened with a hint of cinnamon nestled in delicious crumble. 304 E. Hopkins Avenue, 970-544-5166