As the sun rises over the ancient ruins of Mesa Verde National Park next month, 27 well-known artists including Jim Wilcox will be dipping their paintbrushes in a rainbow of colors, capturing the moment on canvas. Art lovers at the inaugural Rims to Ruins paint-out event will be able to watch the artists work for a few hours, then later purchase the art.

"They get to buy something they've watched me create. I think it's exciting for people to see how the work is done," Jim Wilcox said, who's best known for Western landscapes that reflect the experience of a place.

The plein air event is May 20, 21 and 22 at Mesa Verde. The artists will work without interruption at several ruins throughout the park on May 20 and 21. During a quick draw on May 22, art lovers will be able to stroll from canvas to canvas and watch the artists draw or paint for nearly three hours. Later that day, ticket holders will be treated to an elegant brunch and attend the art auction.

Jim lives in Jackson, Wyoming, but grew up in Durango. He's excited to go home and participate in the paint-out in the heart of the ruins.

"I like to be where my subject is and paint on location whenever possible. There's a feeling you get doing that. You feel the air and the temperature and all of those things contribute to the painting," Jim said.

Noted Western sculptor and painter Veryl Goodnight of Mancos, Colorado, will be focusing on her passion for indigenous animals found within Mesa Verde National Park. The wildlife lover says working in the park will allow her to be in the moment and open up her senses to her surroundings.

"It allows me to feel what Mesa Verde is all about, to feel the spiritual quality of the ruins. It's an experience that I'll be able to put into my work," Veryl said. "I'll be painting the landscape during the May 22 quick draw event, and will most likely include an animal in the painting."

You can buy tickets for the quick draw, brunch and auction through the Goodnight Trail Gallery in Mancos, CO, 970-533-1177, by email at jamie@goodnighttrailgallery.com or through MVF, 303-321-3120 or at ben@mesaverdefoundation.org.

Finished studio paintings that were inspired by the opportunity to paint in Mesa Verde this May will be exhibited and for sale during a special gala reception at the Denver Public Library's Vida Ellison Gallery on October 22, 2013.

The Rims to Ruins event was created by the Mesa Verde Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising partner for the national park. All proceeds will benefit the Mesa Verde Foundation and Mesa Verde National Park. Click here for more information and a list of participating artists.

Be sure to buy your tickets today for the first-ever Rims to Ruins plein air events!

Mesa Verde National Park is again offering backcountry experiences in 2013. These ranger-guided hikes include a half-day hike into Upper Navajo Canyon, a 2-hour hike to Oak Tree House, an all-day hike to Spring House, and a half-day hike on Wetherill Mesa. Tickets for all of these special hikes are limited and must be purchased online at www.recreation.gov beginning on April 17, 2013. Based on the popularity of these hikes in past years, we expect all tours to sell out in advance. So don't delay--register today!

Upper Navajo Canyon tours are offered from September 5 to October 5, 2013 on Thursdays and Saturdays for $18 per person. Oak Tree House tours are offered May 28 to September 7, 2013 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for $25 per person. Spring House tours are offered May 26 to June 5, 2013, and September 1 to October 6, 2013 on Sundays and Wednesdays for $40 per person. The Wetherill Mesa Experience is offered September 6 to October 4, 2013 on Tuesdays and Fridays for $18 per person.

For reservations or more information, visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.

The Four Corners Lecture Series is back and better than ever! The first of several free programs at Mesa Verde National Park designed to broaden your understanding of this area's rich heritage will take place on Friday, April 26. Zuni carver Todd Westika will demonstrate and discuss how fetishes were made before electrical tools were available. The series will return to Mesa Verde in May, when retired anthropologist Dr. Patricia Lacey will discuss the recent research being conducted at Spring House in Mesa Verde's backcountry.

We hope you'll join us for these and other upcoming thought-provoking programs! The full lecture series schedule can be found here.

When: April 26, 7:00 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park
Who: Todd Westika
What: Zuni Fetish Carving Demonstration

When: May 5, 1:00 p.m., Anasazi Heritage Center
Who: Ray Williamson
What: Watching for the Sun: Pueblo Astronomy and Lifeways

When: May 11, 7:00 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park
Who: Patricia Lacey
What: Spring House Cliff Dwelling in Mesa Verde National Park

When: May 12, 1:00 p.m., Anasazi Heritage Center
What: "Stanton Englehart: Arches" Exhibit Opening and Reception

This lecture series is sponsored by the Mesa Verde Museum Association and Mesa Verde National Park, as well as by Fort Lewis College's Office of the President and Department of Anthropology, Anasazi Heritage Center, Bureau of Land Management, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, and the Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society. Additional support is provided by ARAMARK/Mesa Verde Company and KSJD Dryland Community Radio.

Entrance Fees to be Waived during National Park Week

Mesa Verde National Park is inviting people everywhere to enjoy free admission to the park from April 22-26, 2013, to celebrate National Park Week. The National Park Service (NPS) and the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, join together each year to celebrate this special week and entrance fees are waived to all NPS units which charge an entrance fee.

Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer stated, "This is a great time for families to visit their national parks. We hope free entrance will encourage locals and those from out of the area alike to explore Mesa Verde National Park and all it has to offer."

Additional information on visiting Mesa Verde may be obtained by visiting the park's website at www.nps.gov/meve or by calling the park's main information line at 970-529-4465.

Earth Day Tour of New Visitor & Research Center

The public is invited to tour the utility systems of the new Visitor & Research Center (VRC) at Mesa Verde National Park on Earth Day on Monday, April 22 at 1:30 p.m. Frank Cope, Chief of Facilities at Mesa Verde, will provide a tour of the on-site renewable energy systems which provide 95% of the building energy requirements. These systems include a micro hydro generator, a 75KW solar array, and a geo thermal loop system and are coordinated through a computerized Building Automation System. The building was recently awarded a Platinum level certificate from the U.S. Green Building Council for these renewable energy systems together with numerous other sustainable features. Meet in the lobby of the VRC located at the park's entrance just off Highway 160. Empire Electric will provide light refreshments. For further information call Susan Thomas at 970-739-3158.

NEW! Mesa Verde Mugs T-Shirt

Be the first on your block to sport our new t-shirt design while you share your appreciation for Mesa Verde! Our 100% cotton pre-shrunk short-sleeved t-shirts are made entirely in the USA (designed, sewn and printed!) and feature an iconic black-on-white pottery mugs illustration on the front; no image on the back. Your choice of asphalt or teal colored shirts; unisex sizes from Small through XXLarge available. Priced at $19.99 each, or just $15.99 for Mesa Verde Association members; click here to purchase yours today. As always, proceeds from your purchases support Mesa Verde National Park.

Not a member yet? It's easy to join! Just click here or call us at 1-800-305-6053 or 970-529-4445 for assistance.

Misplaced your member discount code? Just call or email us at info@mesaverde.org and we'll be happy to provide it to you!