In the world of regional arts, there are leaders, and then there are legends. Amy Kimberly belongs firmly in the latter category. After more than two decades at the helm of the Carbondale Arts Fashion Show, the founder and creative force behind the iconic event is stepping down, marking what can only be described as the end of a profoundly influential era. This is not merely a change in leadership; it is a seismic shift for a community whose creative identity Kimberly has meticulously shaped and fiercely championed.
For over twenty years, Kimberly has been more than a director; she has been the cultural architect of Carbondale. Her departure prompts a moment of reflection on a legacy built on audacious creativity and a deep-seated belief in the power of community arts. As the curtain falls on her long and celebrated tenure, a new guard prepares to take the stage, inheriting a legacy of spectacle and substance. The future of the Carbondale Arts Fashion Show now rests in new hands, with a bold new theme for 2026 that promises to honor the past while fearlessly stepping into the future.
The Architect of an Arts Mecca
To understand the gravity of Amy Kimberly’s departure, one must look beyond the runway. Her influence is woven into the very fabric of Carbondale’s cultural landscape. As the founding creator of the fashion show, she transformed a local event into a must-see theatrical extravaganza, a beacon of avant-garde expression in the Roaring Fork Valley. But her vision extended far beyond a single annual event.
During her 12-year tenure as Executive Director of Carbondale Arts, Kimberly was a relentless engine of progress. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Carbondale Creative District, a designation that formally recognized the town’s vibrant artistic soul and unlocked new opportunities for funding and growth. Her work on the Rio Grande ARTway transformed a simple thoroughfare into a dynamic public art gallery, integrating creativity into the daily lives of residents. This wasn't just about putting on shows; it was about building a sustainable ecosystem where art and artists could thrive.
Her leadership of the beloved Mountain Fair for 19 years further cemented her status as a community pillar, expertly balancing tradition with fresh energy. Under her guidance, Carbondale Arts also saw a significant expansion of its education programming, ensuring that the next generation of creators would have the tools and inspiration to carry the torch forward. Her work was holistic, visionary, and deeply impactful, creating a ripple effect that has elevated the entire region's artistic profile.
Even as she steps away from this central role, Kimberly’s creative energy is not waning—it is simply being redirected. Her next chapter includes overseeing the Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Fest, collaborating with the Town of Carbondale on the pivotal Town Center project, and lending her expertise to grant writing for La Clínica del Pueblo. It's a testament to her character that her "departure" is not a retirement, but a reallocation of her formidable talents toward new community-building endeavors.
Passing the Baton: A New Guard Rises
A transition of this magnitude could easily create a vacuum, but Kimberly has orchestrated her exit with the same thoughtful care that defined her leadership. She is not disappearing but rather transforming her role into one of mentorship, guiding the new directing team of Meagan Shapiro and Emily Fifer. This is a crucial detail, suggesting a seamless and supportive transfer of power designed for long-term success.
Shapiro and Fifer are not newcomers thrust into the spotlight. They are seasoned veterans of the show's production, boasting a combined 16 years of hands-on experience. This deep institutional knowledge is invaluable. They have learned the intricate dance of logistics, creativity, and community engagement from the master herself. They represent continuity, ensuring that the show’s unique spirit will be preserved even as its creative direction evolves.
The transition is not limited to the director's chair. The 2026 show will also mark a creative shake-up, with a hiatus for Laura Stover, the show's long-standing Creative Director and a brilliant projection and clothing designer, and the departure of Technical Director Evan Gaspar. This wider shift signals a genuine new chapter, opening the door for fresh perspectives and new artistic collaborations. The challenge for Shapiro and Fifer will be to harness this moment of change, building upon a rock-solid foundation while making their own indelible mark.
"Step Right Up": A Look Inside the 2026 Spectacle
The theme for the 2026 show, "Step Right Up," is a masterstroke of thematic relevance and creative promise. On its surface, it evokes the vibrant, nostalgic thrill of a classic carnival—a world of spectacle, wonder, and immersive entertainment. Yet, beneath the whimsical facade lies a sharp and incisive metaphor for our times.
The new leadership describes the theme as an exploration of "distorted realities within a world competing for attention." This is a profoundly contemporary concept. In an age of social media feeds, 24-hour news cycles, and digital noise, the carnival serves as the perfect allegory for the constant, overwhelming spectacle of modern life. It invites the audience to question what is real and what is performance, to enter a dizzying hall of mirrors and emerge with a clearer perspective.
This choice of theme is a bold statement from the new directing team. It demonstrates that the Carbondale Arts Fashion Show will continue to be a platform for not just aesthetic beauty, but also for cultural commentary. It promises an experience that is both thrillingly escapist and intellectually stimulating, a place where audiences can be dazzled by the showmanship while contemplating the deeper message. It suggests Shapiro and Fifer are ready to embrace the show's legacy of pushing creative and conceptual boundaries.
A Legacy of Theatricality and Imagination
To fully appreciate what "Step Right Up" represents, one must look at the show's rich history of ambitious, high-concept productions. Under Kimberly's guidance, the event has consistently transcended the traditional fashion show format, becoming a form of wearable performance art. A look back at recent themes reveals a pattern of bold, imaginative storytelling:
- “Camera Obscura” (2025): An exploration of light, shadow, and the very nature of perception.
- “Fabulation: A Wild Romp Through the Future” (2024): A speculative and fantastical journey into what lies ahead.
- “Mirror Mirror” (2023): A deep dive into themes of identity, reflection, and self-perception.
- “Oz” (2019): A reinterpretation of a classic fantasy world through the lens of contemporary design.
- “SHE” (2017): A powerful and timely celebration of the feminine.
This is not merely a list of titles; it is a testament to a creative institution that has never been afraid to tackle complex ideas. Each show was a fully realized world, a testament to the collaborative genius of hundreds of artists, designers, models, and technicians, all orchestrated by Kimberly's singular vision. This is the legacy that Shapiro and Fifer inherit—not just an event, but a cultural phenomenon renowned for its intelligence and audacity.
As Amy Kimberly steps back, the Carbondale arts community rightfully pauses to honor her monumental contributions. She built more than a fashion show; she built a platform for dreams, a stage for experimentation, and a pillar for the creative economy. Her departure is the end of an era, but her legacy is not a monument to be admired from afar. It is a living, breathing entity, now entrusted to a new generation of leaders. With the promise of "Step Right Up," it is clear that the show—the greatest show in Carbondale—is set to go on, as vibrant and vital as ever.
