50-60 Artists paint anywhere in the Upper Arkansas River Drainage from Leadville to Cotopaxi in full Fall color. Keep and eye out for their easels.

During the festival dates, artists will register/ check-in at Virtuosity Gallery(106 North F Street, Salida, CO 81201)and get their panels stamped. .

WELCOME PARTY AT VIRTUOSITY GALLERY: Artists are encouraged to attend a welcome party at VIRTUOSITY GALLERY (106 North F Street, Salida) on Friday evening from 6:00pm -10:00pm. Get to know one another and talk about art, and painting locations.

PAINT OUT AT THE FARMER'S MARKET: Artists are encouraged but not obligated to paint at the Farmer's Market in Alpine Park, Salida, CO. There will be a sub-contest judged by Seth Roberts(Farmer's Market Founder) to win a $100.00 gift certificate to the Farmer's Market.

PAINT OUT AT THE MONARCH LODGE: Artists are encouraged but not obligated to paint at the Monarch Lodge on the way up Monarch Pass. Beautiful creek vignettes, bridges and mountain vistas. There will be a sub-contest judged by the Monarch Lodge.

JOIN LAST YEARS BEST OF SHOW WINNER, NORA LARIMER, ON A PAINT OUT/ DEMO/ WORK SHOP: Nationally recognized artist and last year’s recipient of the Best of Show for Colorado Mountain Plein Air Event, Nora Bushong Larimer, will offer a four hour plein air watercolor workshop during this year’s event. Nora will start with a demonstration on technique and design, and then give individual suggestions to participants.  All levels welcome. The cost is $40 for 4 hours. Location still to be determined…

QUICK DRAW AT THE COLLEGIATE PEAKS REST AREA IN BUENA VISTA (small fee $6. per car) Judged at 11am (more info soon)

MORNING WORKSHOP WITH SOUTHWEST ART MAGAZINES ARTIST TO WATCH AND OWNER OF VIRTUOSITY GALLERY, JOSHUA BEEN. $40.00/person. For those interested, meet at the Virtuosity Gallery at 7:00 am sharp and go to one of Joshua's favorite places to paint. He'll do a demo and talk about choices that he makes in terms of composition, color, value, and shape and edge. For more information call Joshua Been (719) 221-8964

PREVIEW PARTY: Artists are encouraged to meet at VIRTUOSITY GALLERY with their best painting of the week by 4:00 pm in order to hang it for sale, and of course, show and tell. We'll meet artists, talk art and exchange your favorite painting locations.

PAINT OUT AT THE ROCK RUN GALLERY IN BUENA VISTA. Nora Larimer, last year's best of show winner) to sponsor and judge the show. (more info soon)

TURN IN ANY 3 PAINTINGS PAINTED DURING THE FESTIVAL:Any 3 of the paintings painted during the festival will be turned in no later than 2:00pm on Friday Sep. 25th at Virtuosity Gallery in order to be hung and ready for the "Artists Reception."

SHOW OPENING AND "ARTIST'S RECEPTION": The show of the work done during the festival dates will be on exhibit starting on Friday evening from 6:00 -9:00pm at VIRTUOSITY GALLERY (106 North "F" Street, Downtown Salida). The show will only go through Sunday, September 27th at 2:00pm. When the artists leave, the paintings leave so come on down and see the show, buy a painting of your favorite place, and meet the artist that created it.

QUICKDRAW: This is an exciting event. The festival artists will paint around Riverside Park on Saturday morning from 10:00am-12:00pm. Upon the whistle blow at noon, the artists will take their creations to VIRTUOSITY GALLERY and the paintings will be judged, awarded, and put up for sale. Artists should arrive at 9:30am to register and find a place to paint.

FULL DAY OF PAINTING SALES: From 11:00am-8:00pm paintings will be on view and for sale at VIRTUOSITY GALLERY.

PARTIAL DAY OF PAINTING SALES: From 11:00am-2:00pm paintings will be on view and for sale at VIRTUOSITY GALLERY.

PICK UP ALL PAINTINGS: Pick up all paintings on Sunday after 2:00pm.