Woodland Park is living up to its nickname as the “City above the Clouds” in a colorful way this week, as artists gathered outdoors to paint the stunning landscapes of the Pikes Peak region during a local Plein Air art festival.

Plein air painting — the practice of creating artwork entirely outdoors, directly in front of the subject — is a tradition that pairs perfectly with Woodland Park’s dramatic mountain scenery. The festival brought artists into the fresh air to capture the area’s towering peaks, pine forests, and wide-open skies on canvas in real time, sharing their creative process with the community as they worked.

The event highlights the vibrant arts culture that thrives in Teller County, giving both residents and visitors a chance to watch skilled painters at work and appreciate the natural beauty of the region through a creative lens. Plein air festivals are known for fostering a welcoming, community-centered atmosphere, where curious onlookers can stroll among easels, chat with artists, and watch finished works take shape over the course of the day.

Woodland Park’s setting makes it a natural fit for this kind of outdoor artistic celebration. Nestled at roughly 8,500 feet elevation along Ute Pass, the city offers sweeping views and ever-changing light conditions that challenge and inspire painters of all skill levels. The surrounding landscape — from Mueller State Park to the slopes of Pikes Peak — provides an almost endless gallery of subjects.

Events like this one underscore what makes Woodland Park such a distinctive place to live and visit: a tight-knit community that embraces both the great outdoors and the arts, often finding ways to bring the two together. Whether you are a longtime local or a first-time visitor, a Plein Air festival is a reminder that some of the best galleries have no walls at all.

Sources: KRDO