The Museum & Land

A modern art museum in a cow pasture, where art appreciation takes root

Interior shot of Powers Art Center


The building itself is both a work of art and a model of sustainability. Designed by Hiroshi Nanamori of ArchiPrime Inc. in Tokyo, the sandstone cube blends seamlessly into Carbondale’s red rock landscape. Created with both beauty and environmental responsibility in mind, the building is powered by a geothermal field and a robust solar and battery system that supplies approximately 75% of the museum’s electricity.

The museum features two floors. On the first floor, visitors can explore rotating exhibitions by major artists such as Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Claes Oldenburg, and Roy Lichtenstein. This level also houses the library—a quiet, resource-rich space for guests, students, historians, and researchers.

Upstairs, the galleries are dedicated to Jasper Johns, showcasing one of the largest collections of his works on paper, spanning multiple decades of his artistic career.

powers art center terrace area

The collection exhibited at the Powers Art Center encompasses a wide array of works, including sculpture, basketry, Japanese art, modern and contemporary pieces, design objects, and clothing by Issey Miyake. It also includes a comprehensive library of art books and archival material chronicling John and Kimiko Powers’ years as collectors.

The Powers Art Center's mission is to provide access to a distinctive educational and cultural experience for visitors through art. We exhibit and foster engagement with select works from our collection, with a particular focus on Jasper Johns’ limited edition works on paper.

cows in pasture outside of Powers Art Center

The museum sits on a 450-acre ranch at the foot of Mount Sopris, surrounded by open pastureland operated by the Martin Family, a multi-generational ranching family.

This land is permanently protected by a conservation easement held by the Aspen Valley Land Trust.

Thanks to the support of the Ryobi Foundation, the parent organization of the Powers Art Center, the museum remains free and open to the public.  The surrounding landscape will be preserved as open space for generations to come.

rainbow over Powers Art Center land and cow pastures
  • Color Numeral Series, 1969
    Jasper Johns, (Ryobi Foundation Collection) © Jasper Johns