At the base of the Elk Mountains, the Crested Butte Center for the Arts is launching a new residency program designed to spark creativity, experimentation, and connection between artists and our mountain community. Our inaugural resident artist, Kristen Ross, will spend two weeks in Crested Butte with dedicated time and space to develop her creative practice while inviting the community into the process through open studio events and hands-on workshops. This first residency marks the beginning of an annual program centered on artistic exploration, community engagement, and creating meaningful opportunities for artists and our community to connect.

Artist in Residence Bio:

Kristen Ross is a contemporary painter based in Boulder, Colorado whose landscape paintings in acrylic and oil reflect the vibrant complexity of the natural world. Although she grew up hiking and camping with her family in the Appalachian mountains, moving from Atlanta to Boulder in 2015 sparked her interest in landscape painting as she began to explore the trails around her new home. Painting out of her studio in the NoBo Art District, Kristen seeks to create work that inspires appreciation for the natural world we all share and highlights the importance of protecting it.

Kristen began her career as a documentary and educational filmmaker after graduating from Rhode Island School of Design, later shifting her focus to landscape painting as she grew more passionate about the outdoors. She has won various awards including Best in Show at the 2025 Crested Butte Arts Festival and her work is exhibited in various galleries across Colorado.