ROOTED in
COLORADO THE EXPANDING WORLD AND EVER-EVOLVING JOURNEY OF COLORADO ARTIST TOPHER STRAUS
ARTICLE BY EDSON GRAYCAR PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN REZNICEK
For Colorado native Topher Straus, the state isn’t just home, it’s the foundation of his creative identity. As his art expands across the region and beyond, he remains rooted in the landscapes, energy, and community that first inspired him. He attended middle and high school in Cherry Creek at Kent Denver, where his early exposure to education and philanthropy helped shape the thoughtful, improvisational approach he brings to his work today. Straus first gained recognition for his digital landscapes, vivid, abstracted scenes printed on aluminum through a dye-sublimation process that produces a sleek, glass-like finish. These pieces, often inspired by iconic natural landmarks, are bold, vibrant, and immediately recognizable. They’ve captured the attention of collectors across Colorado and played a major role in establishing his career internationally. Now represented in galleries from Vail to Winter Park and Telluride, Topher’s work continues to evolve. His creative process is driven by experimentation and instinct, often sparked by a recent hike, a passing conversation, or a moment of stillness in his studio. Straus currently has a permanent exhibition at the HYTHE Hotel in Vail. Topher frequently offers private studio tours for collectors, allowing them to get an up-close look at the materials, methods, and energy behind his work. Through it all, his art remains a reflection of motion, connection, and curiosity. Each piece captures not just a place, but a feeling, a way of seeing the world that’s at once grounded and full of imagination. Wherever his work travels next, one thing is clear: Colorado will always be at the center of Topher’s creative world. CONTINUED >
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