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 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.
Don’t miss out on our plant sale
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.