A focus on nature tourism, or ‘eco-tourism,’ has led local lavender farms to team up with the art community to enhance the experience of visitors to our area. According to statistics provided by the State of Texas, three-quarters of visits to rural Texas are leisure visits.

This year, on October 1-3, visitors will have one more reason to visit our area and spend the night. Friday and Saturday, October 1 and 2, Johnson City area lavender farms will be open to the public with plein air artists painting at each farm. Artists will be capturing lavender landscapes, fall landscapes, and whatever their finely-honed artistic eyes and magical brushes create on canvas. Saturday evening’s events include an early silent auction preview at Johnson City Nugent Street art galleries and, of course, partaking of the annual Wild Game Dinner at the Blanco County show barn. On Sunday at noon, the official silent auction kicks off at the galleries with an artist reception. The last gallery will pull the bidding sheets at 4:00 p.m., so if you want a local landscape, be sure to join us and be prepared for a gallery run to bid on your favorite piece!

For additional information, farm events and maps, go to www.lavender-landscapes.com or www.johnsoncity-texas.comor call 830-868-7684.