One of the premier global luxury skiing resorts in winter, the Swiss town of St Moritz also claimed a spot on the map for itself as an artsy summer go-to destination with the inauguration of the annual St. Moritz Art Masters in 2008. Backed by prolific partners such as Cartier and sponsored by local Hotels Kempinski, Kulm Hotel, Suvretta House, and Nira Alpina, the annual alpine summer art walk event has brought a wide range of blue-chip artists to the rural Engadin region in its previous editions, including Gerhard Richter, Ai Weiwei, and Lawrence Weiner, alongside collectors, opinion leaders, creators, and art lovers who are encouraged to participate in leisurely art strolls or engage in casual conversations during daytime outings and gala dinners.This year, the focus of the glitzy ten day get-together is on American Art. Here’s what visitors can discover on their art walk 2016 (further updates announced): Forum Paracelsus: Laurie Anderson, Robert Longo, Richard AvedonOriginally built as a drinking hall in 1866, the Forum Paracelsus today hosts a permanent exhibition about St Moritz’s century old tradition as a spa – according to some sources, local bathing culture reaches back to 1400 BC – including a water fountain where guests can have try St. Moritz’s famous ferrous and aerated water. During the St. Moritz Art Masters, the beautiful building with its spacious gallery will host an exhibition with a video installation by Laurie Anderson, works from Robert Longo’s “Picasso Redacted” series (presented by Cahiers d’Art), and 30 photographs by Richard Avedon featuring one of his earliest muses and former assistant Ann Theophane (‘Theo’) Graham.Protestant Church: Rauschenberg, Stella, ShapiroThe Protestant church at the center of St. Moritz Dorf was built from 1785 to 1787, sporting a neo-Gothic tower from 1896/97 as well as an impressive golden cubicle porch. Since its renovation nine years ago, it has been used both for church services and cultural events. This year’s St. Moritz Art Masters brings an exhibition of works by Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, and Joel Shapiro to this special location, promising an interesting dialog of art and architecture.Schoolhouse Gym: Montblanc Cutting Edge Art CollectionThe school-house gym with its squeaky floor and high windows will host the Montblanc Cutting Edge Art Collection this year, featuring works by Tom Sachs, Pat York, and Nicholas Forker, among others.Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains: Albert WatsonFashion photographs by Albert Watson, who will also be honored with the Lifetime Award at this year’s Cartier Award Night in St Moritz, will be on view at the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains. The exhibition titled “Kaos” presents a best-of of some of his most famous photographs, including his legendary portrait of Alfred Hitchcock holding a dead goose in one hand or the famous rendering of Mick Jagger’s face morphed with that of a jaguar.Suvretta House: GOAT – Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali, or rather the Taschen publication “G.O.A.T. [Greatest of All Time] – Muhammad Ali” take center stage at Suvreta House, one of the sponsors of the St. Moritz Art Masters, with an intimate portrayal of the recently deceased boxing champion. The Walter A Bechtler Collection: Martin Kippenberger, James TurrellA part of the St. Moritz Art Masters since 2014, two works by Hotel Castell’s owner Walter A Bechtler’s collection provide artistic encounters in the countryside: Martin Kippenberger’s “Transportabler U-Bahn-Eingang” [“Mobile Subway Entrance”] en route to Zuoz, and James Turrell’s installation “Skyspace Piz Utèr“ in Zuoz. St. Moritz GalleriesConcurrently with St. Moritz Art Masters, various local galleries show themed exhibitions or selected solo presentations, thus rounding off the Art Fest. This year’s highlights include (list is still being updated):Vito Schnabel GalleryOne of St. Moritz’s youngest galleries, Vito Schnabel, is presenting works by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Julian Schnabel, and Laurie Anderson.Andrea Caratsch Gallery Works by US artist duo McDermott & McGough take center stage in “The Temple of Photographic Art” at Andrea Caratsch Gallery, including several series and fine prints created in the late 1980s and 90s.Robilant + VoenaRobilant + Voena’s St. Moritz branch is presenting three large-scale oil paintings and six water colors by Alexis Rockman.Galerie GmurzynskaGalerie Gmurzynska is presenting “20th Century American Masters,” including works by David Smith, Louse Nevleson, Robert Indiana, Tom Wesselmann, Ronny Cutrone, and Dan Basen.Karsten GreveT.b.a.Invitation only: Jeff KoonsFor those lucky enough to have received an invitation, this year’s Art Masters also includes a private collection view themed “Jeff Koons and his world” as one of the highlights.St. Moritz Art Masters will take place from August 27 to September 4, 2016 at various locations in St. Moritz. Click here for more information.  Read more