Crystal Clear

Exploring the Crystal River through Art, Science, and Sound

May 28 - July 2, 2027 | Launchpad, Carbondale, CO

DONATE TO CRYSTAL CLEAR

Project Summary

Crystal Clear: the Crystal River Through Art, Sound, and Science – an imaginative, mixed-media exploration of our wild and scenic home watershed, the Crystal River – grounded in science, rooted in place. Integrating original paintings, redacted poetry, captivating projections of scientific data visualizations, and music compositions inspired by the sounds, stories, and rhythms of the Crystal River itself, the exhibition invites the community to witness our beloved watershed in new and evocative ways. Crystal Clear will urge the community to explore the Crystal’s ecological, cultural, and artistic value while sparking conversation about the role that rivers have in our lives and how to help protect our rivers amid growing water demand and climate change.

Contributing Artists

Cassidy Willey (Carbondale, CO) – visual artist/painter, project lead

Anika Pyle (Fort Collins, CO) – poet/lyricist

Matt Ross (Fort Collins, CO) – CSU Professor of Watershed Science, visualizations

Eric Lamb (Carbondale, CO) – music composition

We Need Your Help

Support our exhibition with a monetary or in-kind donation. Help us bring Crystal Clear to the community and spark change, conversation, and engagement. Our minimum budget is $10,000 and includes:

  • Artist stipends

  • Materials and framing costs

  • Audio and projection equipment

  • Public programming

  • Marketing and outreach

  • Event documentation

Contact Cassidy to learn more — or donate here today:

DONATE TO CRYSTAL CLEAR

Upcoming & Archive Events

  • Exhibition: Feast d'Arte at Aspen Chapel Gallery

    Aspen Chapel Gallery presents Feast d’Arte in partnership with HARVEST FOR HUNGER. Exhibition from Oct. 7 - Nov. 11, open daily from 10-5pm. Opening reception: Oct. 7th, 4-7pm. Artist Talk: Oct. 21st, 5:30-7pm.

    Aspen Chapel Gallery

  • Bluff Arts Festival: Artist Market

    October 17, 2026, 10-4pm, in Bluff, UT: Over 30 vendors from the greater Four Corners region. Weekend includes artist market, film festival, workshops, literary panels, kid’s activities, and more!

    Bluff Arts Festival

  • Snowmass Wine Festival

    Two-day event hosted by Snowmass Village Rotary Club, September 18 & 19, 2026. All funds raised from the festival and silent auction go to improving the quality of life in our community and meeting humanitarian needs around the world. Live painting & silent auction: Saturday, September 19th, 1-4pm.

    Snowmass Wine Festival tickets

  • Exhibition: We Share This World, As We Share the Treasure of Each Other

    Mother (posthumous) + Daughter partner exhibition exploring the urge to create and imbedded patterns and curiosities through generations of art-making. Showing at Thunder River Theatre in Carbondale, CO, September 11 - 27th. Artist talk & reception Sunday, 9/13, at 12:00pm before matinee performance of Every Brilliant Thing.

    Buy Tickets

  • National River Council Appreciation night

    National River Council Appreciation Night, August 13, 2026. Celebrating dedicated supporters of Roaring Fork Conservancy with a passion for our rivers and our watershed.

    Support Roaring Fork Conservancy

  • Summer Art Pop-Up at the Tipsy Trout

    Live painting and art pop-up at the Tipsy Trout in beautiful Basalt, CO: June 20, July 25, 2026.

    Tipsy Trout

  • Artist in Residence: Glen Canyon Institute's 2026 Lower San Juan Trip

    May 29 - June 2: A 57 mile float through high canyon walls and sweeping gooseneck turns before taking out at Clay Hills. Trip led by Ancient Wayves, a 100% Indigenous owned/run outfitter.

    Glen Canyon Institute

  • Grand Opening: Farm Collaborative's new learning center & farm shop

    JUNE 14, 12-4PM: Art pop-up | Live music | Local food | Farm tour | and more! FREE event. RSVP required to attend.

    The Farm Collaborative

  • Fly Fishing Film Night @ TACAW

    Fly Fishing Film Tour: Pre-Show Art Pop-Up and Live Painting, May 8th @6:30pm.

    Event info

  • The Long Conversation

    Presented by Western Mosaic Fund and Carbondale Arts. Twelve hours of community dialogue. Sunday, May 3rd, from 8am-8pm, at the Crystal Theater in Carbondale, CO. Carbondale Arts will turn the dialogue into a creative zine publication featuring local artists.

    Learn More

  • Spring Market at TACAW

    Hosted by TACAW: Spring Market including dozens of local makers, artists, and wellness activations.

    (Image credit: GEMart, Gabriela Mejia)

    Click Here