New York-based art provocateur Ashley Longshore is bringing her signature contemporary art to Aspen for a six-day pop-up, open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19 through June 24, in partnership with the jeweler Buddha Mama. 

Timed to coincide with the 2026 Food & Wine Classic, the installation will spotlight Longshore’s Champagne bottle series, which she has filled with what she calls her “sayings and her whimsy.”

Longshore will also be the featured artist at the Buddha Mama Mountain Residency Launch Party from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 19 at 400 E. Hyman Ave., Suite A201 — the same location as the pop-up. The event is free and open to the public with an RSVP.

Southern-born in Montgomery, Ala., and now based in New York City, Longshore is a self-taught painter, sculptor and entrepreneur whose work pulses with vibrant color, cultural icons and themes of luxury and consumer culture.

“Ashley’s work is an extension of her — bold, fun, vocal and infectious,” fashion designer Christian Siriano told The Aspen Times. 

Siriano, the youngest winner of “Project Runway” (2007), added, “She brings that spirit wherever she goes. She’s always a force to be reckoned with, so be prepared for anything.”

In January 2018, Longshore became the first female artist to mount a solo exhibition at Bergdorf Goodman’s flagship Fifth Avenue store since it opened in 1928 — including its window display. She also designed the store’s “Palette at BG” café.

Ashley Longshore will be in Aspen June 19-24.Ashley Longshore/Courtesy photo

The Aspen partnership with Miami-based Buddha Mama grew from a mutual connection. The jewelry line was founded by Nancy Badia, who designs it alongside her daughter Dakota.

“I just love her, and then the universe put us together through a great gal,” Longshore said of Badia. “I love her and her daughter. I love her energy, I love what she created and I am a huge fan of her jewelry.”

Nancy and Dakota Badia said that Aspen has become their second home.

“We’ve been coming for over 25 years, so it just made sense to create the Buddha Mama residency this summer. We’re excited to share our collection with the community and look forward to having fun with everyone for the 2026 summer season. That we get to launch our residency with our dear friend and remarkably talented artist Ashley Longshore is a gift!” the Badias said.

Though Longshore was first introduced to Aspen in her 20s, she has since built a loyal clientele in the area and is eager to meet new faces during her upcoming visit.

“I want to meet the people who are coming to your beautiful city and that are celebrating this amazing event,” she said of the 2026 Food & Wine Classic.

Longshore has authored five books. Her latest book, “Politics is a Drag,” is set for a September release.

“It’s every president that I’ve turned into a drag queen and it’s fabulous,” Longshore said.

Ashley Longshore will be in Aspen for a pop-up June 19-24.Courtesy photo

Beyond her studio practice, Longshore is the founder of the Ashley Longshore Charitable Trust and sponsors the Ashley Longshore Excellence in the Arts Award — a $25,000 annual grant administered through YoungArts.

“It’s an unrestricted $25,000 scholarship, and I’m doing that through YoungArts, which does the presidential scholarship. I’m about to choose the winner for this year. We’re on our fourth year of that, and then I work with The American Theatre Wing on the advisory board, and I vote for the Tony Awards, which I was just at last weekend, and it was amazing,” Longshore said. “Being an artist and knowing how hard it is, It’s amazing to be able to give back to the community.”

A select number of commission appointments are available while Longshore is in Aspen. Inquiries can be directed to sparkles@ashleylongshore.com. For more information on Buddha Mama, visit buddhamama.com/contact.