Gia Galindo Bartley is a Junior at AHS, pursuing International Baccalaureate (IB) Art. She was a part of the first-ever 2023 Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship Program, in which local artists are provided funding to further their passions for art. The City of Aspen has recently implemented this program in order to encourage more cultural and artistic vibrancy in Aspen.

This grant was separated into two categories, adult artists and artists between the ages of 14 and 18. Providing up to 12 adult individuals with $3,500, and $500 for eight youth artists. Galindo Bartley was a part of the eight students who received this $500 grant.

Throughout Galindo Bartley’s childhood, she has always had a passion for art, experimenting with many different mediums and ways to express herself.

“I’ve always been interested in creative endeavors. I was really into the performing arts and singing. I also played trumpet in middle school,” Galindo Bartley said. “I have always loved to make art even if it wasn’t the best as a kid.”

Galindo Bartley truly started experimenting with art at the start of high school, finding a specific love for surrealism and pop art, using song lyrics and movies as inspiration.

“My experiences, my difficulties, and what things that I deal with on a day-to-day basis are what I express into all my art. I try to express it creatively instead of negatively,” Galindo Bartley said.

AHS has an incredible art program consisting of two talented art teachers. Julie Trahon, the visual arts teacher, and Whitney Zordan, an art, fashion, and ceramics teacher. The AHS program has encouraged student artists to explore and continues to promote the importance of creativity and freedom of expression.

“I’ve had the ability to walk into the art room and get materials to make art here, which has really been nice in the past, but it is a little bit limiting at times,” Galindo Bartley said.

These art grants encourage the youth to build a community through art by sharing experiences, different views of life, and culture.

“This opportunity is for people like me to experiment with different materials and mediums, and to just creatively express ourselves,” Galindo Bartley said.