About Desert Assembly
Desert Assembly is a Marfa-based event collective that blends international expertise with the spirit of Far West Texas.
We curate gatherings that honor the desert, reflect its beauty, and spark connection in ways that feel intentional and unforgettable.
Our mission is not to change Far West Texas but to celebrate it — to share its quiet magic while keeping its roots alive.
About The Region
Far West Texas is a place that feels closer to Mexico than anywhere else. This high-desert region, known as the Trans-Pecos, sits within the vast Chihuahuan Desert. It’s a landscape defined by volcanic mountains, open plains, and wide, cinematic skies. The light shifts by the hour, painting the land in colors that never look the same twice.
It’s a place that asks for presence, patience, and respect; and it’s the heart of everything we create.
“From the first time I set foot in West Texas, I knew this place would change everything.”
After two decades producing events around the world, much of it while living in Los Angeles, I never imagined trading city life for the Chihuahuan Desert. What began as an invitation to help elevate Valentine’s in Valentine, a one-of-a-kind music festival that draws more than 1,500 people to a town of just 73 residents, became the spark that shaped Desert Assembly. The wide skies, rugged horizon, and neighborly spirit revealed a kind of magic I couldn’t ignore.
For three years, I continued producing the festival from Los Angeles, returning each year for event week. With every visit, my connection to the desert grew deeper. Eventually, the pull became undeniable. I moved to Marfa to plant roots and build something lasting: a collective that brings people together, honors the land, and carries forward the rare spirit of Far West Texas.
— Melissa Gardner, Founder
Desert Assembly is a collective, and there’s always space for more.
If you’d like to be part of the story, we’d love to connect.
Special shout to Rob Neuman of Big Event Studios for providing many of the photos on this website.