was a celebrated American artist whose work spanned painting, sculpture, printmaking, and set design, known for pushing abstraction into bold new territory. His art is defined by the use of geometric forms, luminous color, and architectural composition. In his own words:

“You could tell a story with the shapes. It wouldn't be a literal story, but the shapes and the interaction of the shapes and colors would give you a narrative sense.”

Stella was one of the first artists to experiment with neon day-glow and fluorescent paints, earning him a reputation as a master colorist. His optical effects of placing vibrating hues in close proximity produced work that was simultaneously aggressive and mesmerizing:

“The color is meant to be aggressive and kind of contentious... The eye likes dissonance. Imbalance keeps you looking.”

Among Stella’s most iconic works is the Protractor Series (1967–71), based on semicircular forms and executed in vibrant color. He later created the Newfoundland Series, a group of six prints named after towns along Newfoundland’s western coast, further exploring the tension between form and illusion.

Stella was introduced to Aspen through John Powers, who recognized his talent early on. In a 1968 Aspen Times article, Stella was described as having “a position and an influence on other artists that is remarkable for his age.”

The Learning Lab at the Powers Art Center invites visitors to engage with Stella’s ideas through interactive art-making stations using protractors, graph paper, and bright shapes, inspired by his dynamic approach to form and color.