Painted Desert

This year’s Access Fund member tee features Lizzie Wenger’s Southwest-inspired art.

By Sarah Stern

For artist and climber Lizzie Wenger, the desert has always been more than just a place to climb; it’s a source of endless inspiration. Growing up in the Southwest, the desert’s geology and colors have shaped Wenger’s style since she first began painting landscapes as a teenager. The deep oranges, muted greens, and bright blue desert skies have become her signature palette, one that captures both the stark contrast and subtle beauty of the terrain.

But before Wenger was a painter, she was a climber. “I think being a climber makes you more perceptive of rocks and geology,” she said. “It definitely influences the way I see and paint landscapes.”

Climbing has been a part of the artist’s life since age 10, when her aunt first took her to The Front Climbing Club in Salt Lake City. What began there quickly grew into a lifelong practice, shaping how she spends her time outdoors. Today, it remains central not only to her recreation, but also as her biggest source of community. That sense of connection feeds directly into her art, which she views as another way of bringing people together. Just as climbing unites people around shared landscapes, her artwork sparks connection by reminding people of the places they love and why protecting them matters.

Wenger hopes her work resonates with climbers as both a celebration of these places and a call to stewardship. “Art can bring people into these landscapes and encourage them to protect them,” she said. “Wearing a shirt is a simple, tangible way to start those conversations.”

This year, Lizzie Wenger’s connection to Southwestern landscapes takes center stage through Access Fund’s 2026 member T-shirt, featuring her vibrant depiction of Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon. This design will not only appear on shirts, but also on stickers and even a special-edition hip pack in collaboration with Oso Supply Co.

Ready to wear some of Lizzie’s art?

Donate $75 or more today and we’ll send you our 2026 shirt featuring Red Rock National Conservation Area—designed exclusively for Access Fund members by Lizzie Wenger.