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Welcome to

Mesa Verde Lavender

A favorite serene sanctuary nestled in the heart of Southwest Colorado.

It’s Farm Experience & Volunteer Season!

Stay in the lavender fields in your own private wagon, get your hands in the soil as a volunteer, book a sunset or Sunday morning farm tour, or attend one of our specialized lavender growing and harvesting workshops.

Join us for our 2026 bloom + plein air farm festival

Golden hour photo sessions with Nathan Rist during peak bloom. Spots are limited and dates follow the flowers.

ARTIST REGISTRATION: Plein Air Farm Festival 2026
from $30.00

Artist Registration Quick Info:

Single Day Registration - $30

Full Weekend Registration - $70

15 artists per weekend • First come, first served

-Scroll below for registration options and full festival details.-

Full Details:

Join artists from around the region during peak lavender bloom for a curated plein air gathering at Mesa Verde Lavender in Mancos, Colorado.

Artists are invited to spend the day painting, sketching, photographing, writing, composing, or creating throughout the lavender fields, gardens, rustic farm spaces, and surrounding Southwest Colorado landscape.

We welcome:

  • all artistic levels

  • emerging and professional artists

  • all artistic mediums and creative practices

Part of what makes the final showcase so special is the diversity of artwork inspired by the farm and landscape.

This is a relaxed and creatively inspiring outdoor experience centered around artistic exploration, community, and connection to place.

Festival Weekends

Weekend One

June 26–28, 2026

Weekend Two

July 3–5, 2026

Artists may attend Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or all three days during their selected weekend.

Festival Art Hours

9:00am–3:00pm daily

Artist Registration

Single Day Registration: $30

Attend one festival day during your selected weekend.

Full Weekend Registration: $70

Attend all three festival days during your selected weekend.

Artist registration is first come, first served.

Capacity is limited to:

  • 15 artists per weekend

  • 30 total artists for the 2026 festival

A waitlist will be created once registration fills.

Registration fees reserve your artist space and are refundable up to one week before the festival.

Due to limited artist capacity, refunds cannot be offered within one week of the event.

What Artists Can Expect

Artists will have access to:

  • shaded areas throughout the farm

  • secluded painting and creative spaces

  • shared artist gathering areas

  • lavender fields and gardens

  • rustic farm structures and landscapes

  • opportunities to connect with fellow artists and visitors

Water and lavender tea and beverages will be provided throughout the day.

Additional snack and meal options are currently being planned and will be announced closer to the festival.

Throughout the weekend, the farm will also host:

  • lavender tours

  • picnics

  • community gatherings

  • farm visitors

Artists may choose to work privately in quiet areas or engage with the public atmosphere throughout the festival weekends.

Final Artist Showcase

Participating artists will have the opportunity to display and sell artwork during the Final Artist Showcase at Millie’s in downtown Mancos.

Showcase Event

Sunday, July 5, 2026
3:00pm–5:00pm

Artists handle all artwork sales directly and retain 100% of their sales.

Each year, select artwork from participating artists may also be chosen for future festival posters and promotional materials.

Featured artists selected for future festival artwork will receive:

$200 Mesa Verde Lavender gift cards

Additional showcase details will be shared with participating artists.

What To Bring to the Farm

Artists should bring:

  • all preferred art supplies

  • easels and setup materials

  • personal chair

  • sunscreen and sun protection

  • hats and outdoor comfort items

  • water containers if needed for painting supplies

Fresh drinking water and water refill access will be available throughout the festival.

Wheelbarrows and wagons will be available to help transport supplies from parking areas to painting locations.

Parking & Setup

Artists will be able to unload supplies near the lavender fields before being directed to designated parking areas.

Weather

The festival takes place outdoors rain or shine, with shaded areas available throughout the farm.

Who Should Register

This festival is ideal for:

  • plein air painters

  • watercolor artists

  • oil painters

  • sketch artists

  • photographers

  • poets and writers

  • musicians and composers

  • mixed media artists

  • creative hobbyists

  • emerging artists

  • professional artists

All artistic styles and mediums are welcome.

FAQ

Do I need to be a professional artist?

Not at all. Artists of all levels and backgrounds are welcome.

Is this a juried event?

No. Registration is first come, first served until artist spaces are filled.

Do I need to attend all three days?

No. Artists may register for a single day or the full weekend! Due to weather, we do recommend planning for multiple days, but choose what works best for you!

Can visitors watch artists work?

Yes. Farm visitors, tours, and picnics will take place throughout the festival weekends. All visitors must be attending a registered event. This will not be an “open farm” event.

Can I sell my work?

Yes. Participating artists may display and sell artwork during the Final Artist Showcase at Millie’s.

Magnesium oil spray

Don’t miss out on our plant sale

Local Lavender Plants 1" Starts
$8.00

Order your lavender starters and grow the some of the same varieties we trust on our farm! We’re offering these 1-inch lavender plugs—just like how we start new fields—so you can cultivate varieties perfect for our region, at an affordable price. Whether you’re looking for aromatic blooms or culinary delights, we’ve got you covered. Below, choose from our recommended lavender types and bring the beauty of Mesa Verde Lavender to your home!

Grosso (Aromatic): 24-30" tall, long stems, deepest blue-purple blooms. Ideal for essential oils and drying. Strong fragrance with a hint of camphor. Zones 5-10.

Alba (Aromatic): 24-36" tall, striking white blooms contrasting beautifully with purples. Highly perfumed, perfect for fresh or dried bouquets. Zones 5-11.

Royal Velvet (Culinary): 18-22" tall, dark navy-blue spikes. Long blooming, great dried, perfect for oils and culinary use. Tolerates wetter winters. Zones 5-10.

Buena Vista (Culinary): 18-24" tall, deep blue, reblooms in spring and fall. Sweet fragrance, perfect for cooking and oils. Zones 5-10.

Hidcote Blue (Culinary): 12-18" tall, violet-blue blooms, compact and cold hardy. Excellent for drying and culinary use. Zones 4-10.

Please email us and either coordinate a farm day pick-up or let us know which of our farmers markets you would like us to bring it to for you! When you order before market day online you get a 50 cent discount as a thank you for “pre-ordering”!

High-Altitude Lavender grown with love and sustainable practices

Our farm is a tranquil escape where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, explore our thriving lavender fields, and discover the potent aroma and benefits of our sustainably grown lavender products. We are passionate about cultivating the highest quality lavender, with over 15 different cultivars that thrive at our high-altitude farm.

Check out our recipes and tips from the farm