Nicole Banowetz returns to BIFA to activate the Arts District Campus with a special presentation of some of her most iconic otherworldly inflatable sculptures. Inspired by the magical world of slugs, species and all sorts of creatures, along with the truly wondrous elements of the natural world including plants, bacteria and parasitic fungi, Banowetz’s work will bring outdoor spaces and structures to life in fun, nostalgic and innovative ways.
Banowetz will be one of our featured BIFA artists-in-residence from late June through August, 2026. During her residency, the artist will create a new work inspired by this year’s BIFA theme, Other Worlds.
Nicole Banowetz is one of the featured artists in the 2026 Trail Mix series, part of Breck Create’s signature annual festival—BIFA. Trail Mix blends art and nature along scenic Breckenridge trails, where hikers and bikers encounter site-specific installations in the wild.
A Colorado-based sculptor and educator, this artist creates immersive, site-responsive works inspired by the strange and microscopic wonders of the natural world. Always on the lookout for unusual plants, animals, and ecosystems, her curiosity drives an ever-evolving creative practice.
She has lived and worked internationally, developing projects in India, Italy, Ireland, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Poland, and England. Her work has been featured in major exhibitions such as the Amsterdam Light Festival, Bad Art’s Hot Air in London, Open Art in Sweden, and PASSAGES INSOLITES in Quebec City.
Environmental residencies and exhibitions have taken her across California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Finland. Her largest gallery installations to date have been showcased at the Denver Art Museum and Wonderspaces.