Plein Air@Altitude, presented by Rendezvous, the Fraser Valley’s premier fine arts event, returns for its 5th year in late August. Look for artists painting outdoors (‘En plein air’) across Grand County beginning August 21, 2025. Over thirty juried artists from across Colorado, the mountain west, and beyond will have their canvases stamped and will create original works of art during the week leading up to Labor Day Weekend. Over Labor Day weekend, works will be available for viewing and sale in Winter Park on August 30 and 31 at the Green Room of the Rendezvous Event Center in Winter Park.

This year’s festival promises to be the biggest and best yet. All proceeds benefit the participating artists and Fraser Valley Arts, the non-profit focused on bringing an arts center to Fraser.

During the week leading up to Labor Day weekend, there will be daily paint-outs both on public and private lands. Places where the public can best catch the painters in action include:
* Sunday, 8/24 at Devil’s Thumb Ranch (Tabernash)
* Wednesday, 8/27 at Snow Mountain Ranch, YMCA of the Rockies (Tabernash)

Painters tend to like the early light, so those wishing to see the work in action would be well advised to come to these locations in the morning.

Each artist will select their top four paintings from the week for display at the sale on Labor Day weekend. For the first time, they will also be able to display and sell one painting from their studio work. The first opportunity to purchase paintings is Saturday, August 30, at the ticketed Silent Art Auction and Reception at 5:00 pm. As of 8/30/25, WE ARE SOLD OUT OF TICKETS! In years past, nearly half of the paintings produced during the week have sold at the Reception, and the proceeds benefit both the artist and Fraser Valley Arts, the non-profit that produces this event (and others) and is working to build the Fraser Center for the Creative Arts.

The festival is proud to announce that award-winning plein air oil painter, Lorenzo Chavez, will be our 2025 judge. His first inspirations and foundation as a young artist were formed by the local landscape and the art history in New Mexico. Lorenzo now makes his home in Parker, Colorado and uses this location as a base to travel and paint the American West and Southwest. A painter with a national reputation, his work has been featured at the C.M. Russell Museum and Auctions, in Southwest Art, Art of the West, and many other publications and books. He is represented in many major galleries and private/corporate collections. He will choose our 2025 award recipients, and patrons opting for the VIP experience on Saturday can join that announcement at 4 pm. Learn more about Lorenzo on his website by clicking here.