Every year as summer fades, Winter Park hosts a vibrant tribute to landscape art. Plein Air @ Altitude, running August 23–30, culminates in a lively Cocktail Reception & Art Auction on August 30, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Rendezvous Events Center. This event brings together outdoor painters, art lovers, and community members for an evening of creative energy, drinks, and conversation. Whether you’re a serious art collector or someone who appreciates a beautiful evening, Plein Air @ Altitude offers something fresh, unexpected, and uplifting.
Why Plein Air Matters in the Mountains
Plein air painting isn’t studio work. It happens outside, under changing weather and shifting light. Artists across Grand County take to trails, meadows, high-altitude viewpoints, and roadside overlooks each day that week to capture real-time moments on canvas. By the time the public reception arrives, dozens of originals line the event hall, each with its own story—painted under clouds, at sunrise, or beneath pine shadows. These are not just paintings. They are experiences embodied in color and form.
During the August 30 reception, guests explore the exhibition, enjoy cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres, and hear from participating artists about their pieces. Many works are also available through a silent auction. If you’ve ever wanted to own a painting made under Colorado’s azure sky, this is your chance to bid on something made right here, right now.
What You’ll See and Do
The moment you walk into the Rendezvous Events Center, you’ll feel the shift from tourist to insider. You’ll pass tables of fresh snacks, glasses of wine, and the buzz of attendees discussing brush strokes and mountain outlines. The exhibition area feels intimate, with each painting carefully lit and labeled. Musicians play soft background music, giving the space an easy flow.
Conversations range from painting techniques to trail recommendations. Artists are approachable, ready to share where they worked and how they handled altitude shifts or sudden weather changes. It’s a blend of storytelling and culture, accessible without being formal. Paintings reflect wildflowers, creek crossings, alpine lake reflections, and the iconic ridges surrounding Winter Park. You might find yourself drawn to a scene that reminds you of a favorite hike, or a painting that captures a place you still serve as your next destination.
When bidding opens, you’ll see people placing quiet bids, comparing notes, and considering their corners of inspiration. The energy is calm but focused. Every successful bid is rewarded with a personal handshake and a sense of connection to both the painter and the place.
Why You’ll Want to Be There
If you’re in town in late August, this event lends an artistic rhythm to an already gorgeous weekend. It’s not organized chaos. It’s a gathering of people who appreciate artistry grounded in the moment. You’ll leave with a story rather than just a purchase. You’ll talk about skylines framed by Aspen bands or light reflecting off pine needles. And you’ll carry home a piece of that moment of making.
This isn’t a one-night spectacle. It’s just the visible end of a week of mountain creativity—a celebration of what happens when canvas meets peak, paint meets altitude.
Extend the Evening With the Right Stay
After the event, the night can continue quietly—without the drive home feeling empty or rushed. That’s where The Jabberwocky enters.
Just minutes from the Rendezvous Events Center, The Jabberwocky offers an inviting retreat once the last sip of wine has been enjoyed. It gives you space to savor the painting you bid on, or to sit quietly on a porch with a nightcap, replaying highlights of conversations, colors, and the mountain glow that surrounded you. There’s no crowded hotel lobby, no late-night restaurant rush. Just personal comfort and warmth.
The layout at The Jabberwocky prioritizes quiet evenings. Whether you choose a cozy studio or a two-bedroom stay, the atmosphere invites reflection and calm. The local decor, soft bedding, and natural light make it easy to feel grounded after a night of art, altitude, and small wins.
Why It Matters
Overnight stays at The Jabberwocky aren’t just logistic decisions. They matter because art events are emotional experiences. When you’re lifted by creativity and human connection, where you sleep afterward shapes how long that feeling lasts. By choosing The Jabberwocky, you extend the impact of the evening—a mountain memory that starts with paint and ends in peace.
You aren’t just finding somewhere to stay. You’re choosing an experience that feels thoughtfully designed from the first stroke to the final sip of tea.
Prepare for Your Evening
Arrive in casual evening attire that suits summer mountain weather. Evenings in late August can be crisp, so bring a light sweater. Be ready to connect. A small canvas or notebook might be a nice touch if you want to jot down thoughts or sketch details.
Make sure your phone is charged. You’ll want to capture not just paintings, but moments—an artist explaining their technique or the light shifting on a canvas as night grows near. And count on leaving with more than just art. You’ll take home a memory—an evening where community, beauty, and mountain warmth met perfectly under one roof.
Book Your Stay at The Jabberwocky
The best evenings in Winter Park are marked by art on the wall and comfort under the roof. Make your visit to Plein Air @ Altitude a story worth remembering.
The Jabberwocky isn’t just where you sleep—it’s where your story continues. Reserve your stay now to ensure your mountain weekend ends with warmth, quiet, and reflection.
