M.S. Rau recently opened its first seasonal gallery in Aspen, and having this pop-up space already has grabbed the attention of locals and visitors who have complimented the comfort, environment, and friendliness of this fine-art and jewelry boutique.
Aspen resident and M.S. Rau president Andrew Fields says the 112-year-old New Orleans institution is bringing a taste of the Big Easy to this seasonal store, which offers art, antiques, and historic jewelry at its 228 South Mill Street location. The inaugural seasonal gallery opened June 6 and will continue to welcome visitors and shoppers through the end of September, Fields says.
The shop occupies the entire street-level floor in a historic building among other luxury retailers in downtown Aspen. Fields says M.S. Rau has a 20-year history of exhibiting in Aspen, and customers who are decorating a new home or condo as well as those who want to enjoy museum-quality pieces that you can actually own are coming in to browse and buy.
“We started in Aspen in the summer of 2004, bringing art, antiques, and jewelry to the fair that ran around the Fourth of July, which is a hopping time in Aspen,” Fields says. “We’d run the show for a week, and we started coming back every year after that. My family and I also fell in love with Aspen, so much so that we decided to raise our children here.”
Fields says he worked between M.S. Rau’s two locations, so he understands what kinds of artists and jewelry Aspen residents are looking for with this pop-up gallery. Plus, its Aspen customers return year after year, so opening this special gallery makes sense for M.S. Rau. There were plans to open pre-pandemic, but that got put on hold. When this space opened up, it felt like the right time, Fields says.
“There’s fantastic retail here and a great demographic—it’s truly top of the heap,” Fields says. “We also bring something unique to Aspen that is global; we are a special American luxury brand. We’re not just a jewelry gallery or art dealer—we have it all.”
The Aspen gallery specializes in M.S. Rau’s favorite artists such as Renoir, Picasso, and Magritte as well as jewelry legends including Cartier, Harry Winston, and Van Cleef & Arpels. M.S. Rau’s social-media expert, Reagan Garvin, will be posting from the Aspen store as well as its New Orleans location throughout the summer to show off what’s available.
The shop has about 2,000 square feet available for an exhibition area, and the goal is for the Aspen space to have the same feel as the one in New Orleans.
“It’s got the same look and feel as New Orleans, so it doesn’t feel like a pop-up at all,” Fields says. “One of the things we hear all of the time in New Orleans is that we’re just like a museum but better because everything we have is for sale. Also, we carry museum-quality art and jewelry that you don’t find in any typical gallery.”
Additionally, M.S. Rau plans on joining community events by hosting special on-site exhibitions timed to Aspen’s major cultural events, including the Food & Wine Festival, the Aspen Ideas Festival, and Aspen Art Week, Fields says.
Top: M.S. Rau is bringing its best selection of museum-quality jewelry to its Aspen pop-up gallery (photos courtesy of M.S. Rau).
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