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Picture this: It’s a Colorado summer in the mountains, the air is fresh, wildflowers abound, and you are drawing en plein air, surrounded by the small wonders of nature’s beauty. Make this dream a reality this July at the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival , where the School of Botanical Art & Illustration (SBAI) will offer art programs for botanists, artists and wildflower lovers alike.

No matter what your level of experience is, you can learn the basics of botanical illustration with the SBAI’s expert staff. Dust off your nature journal and take a hike with Nerdy Naturalist Vanessa Callahan and learn how to sketch your observations along the way. Try something new, like making a kaleidoscope from scratch or learning how to make a cyanotype print using found objects and natural materials.

For more than 40 years, the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival has welcomed visitors to experience the beauty of the Western Slope in bloom. What began as a small gathering of wildflower enthusiasts has blossomed into a summertime celebration of classes, tours, workshops and hikes in one of Colorado’s most beautiful landscapes.

The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival takes place July 11-20, 2025. Can’t make it to Crested Butte? Discover the School of Botanical Art & Illustration’s robust class offerings, available onsite and online.

Photos by Jen Ackerfield.

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The Art of Wildflowers

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