Petrified Forest National Park - Artist In Residence Program (U.S. National Park Service)

NPS/JANET FERNANDES

Professional artist/author Shonto Begay creates work at the Painted Desert Inn, Petrified Forest National Park. September 2006.

Artists have impacted the formation, expansion and direction of our national parks. The work of many artists has also assisted in providing perspectives at parks that create meaningful experiences for our visitors.

Today, artists continue to document national park landscapes with contemporary approaches and techniques. Artists from a wide variety of mediums draw upon the multifaceted quality of parks for inspiration. These artists translate the national park’s purpose, as a place of pleasure and preservation, into images which bring others enjoyment and a deeper understanding of the parks to many Americans who may never visit.

Petrified Forest National Park’s Artist-In-Residence Program continues this tradition. Founded in 2006 as part of the park's Centennial Celebration, the program continues to provide inspiration to park visitors.

2009 Schedule of Artists-in-Residence

May 10 - May 23
Jacqueline Moses, Painting
Rick Braveheart, Photography

May 24 - June 6
Kelly Adams, Painting

June 7 - June 20

June 21 - July 4
Alexandra Bassett, oil

July 5 July 18
Becky Heiman, Woodblock

July 19 - Aug 1
William Pfaff, Music

Aug 2 - Aug 15
Ben Krall, Photography

Aug 16 - Aug 29
Jamie McHugh, Music

Aug 30 - Sept 12
James Romig, Music
Patricia Latas, colored pencil

Sept 13 - Sept 26
Susan Roden, Pastel
Constance B Hartle, painting

Sep 27 - Oct 10
Margaret Stewart, Photography
Maria Britton, Painting

Oct 11 - Oct 24
Donna Barnitz Fabric
Johnathan Kirk Music

Oct 25 - Nov 7
Lisa Grossman, Painting
Steve Hurley, Photography

Nov 8 - Nov 21
Toni Garbasso, Photography
Kim Hinkel, sculpture

September 13-26
Rebecca Thompson, Sculpture

Hirschmann, with camera on tripod, talks to visitors

COURTESY/DAVID VELK

Professional photographer Fred Hirschmann talks to visitors taking part in a photography hike he coordinated during his residence. April 2006.

The Artist-In-Residence Program at Petrified Forest National Park offers professional visual, performing, and literary artists the opportunity to pursue their artistic discipline while being surrounded by the park’s inspiring landscape. Selected artists stay in park housing for two-week periods from April through October. No stipend is provided. Artists must be prepared to work in high desert, summer weather conditions that include high winds, low relative humidity and temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and lows reaching roughly 40 degrees at night.

The finished artwork will characterize Petrified Forest National Park for present and future generations and will offer the public an opportunity to see our heritage through the eyes and ears of the contributing artists, thereby fulfilling one of the program’s main purposes.

NPS/T. SCOTT WILLIAMS

Visual artist/professional conservator Gloria Giffords talks to students at Northland Pioneer College about the paintings she completed at the park. September 2006.

Participating artists are asked to donate to the park an original piece of artwork from, and representative of, their residency in Petrified Forest National Park. Donated artwork must be received by a date determined by the Museum Curator. Artwork from visual artists should be framed with glass or prepared for hanging before donation.

Artists are also required to provide copyright for the donated artwork to the National Park Service. Commercial use of any donated artwork will not be allowed once it is selected and accessioned into the park’s permanent museum collection. Artwork may be used in exhibits, educational purposes, and by the Petrified Forest Museum Association.

The artist retains a royalty-free, nonexclusive use license under the copyright of the art. The National Park Service owns the artwork and the rights to reproduce it. Under those rights, the artist has a license to make use of the artwork for his or her purposes. Publication information must include the language: “This artwork was produced under the Artist-In-Residence Program at Petrified Forest National Park.”

A jury panel of judges will select one or more pieces of visual artwork from the previous year’s donations, to become part of the park’s permanent museum collection. Selection is based on artistic caliber, the artwork’s ability to communicate the values and processes of Petrified Forest National Park, and to meet the needs and scope of the park’s museum collection.

NPS/T. SCOTT WILLIAMS

Visual Artist/ASU Regents Professor Mark Klett gives a talk about work he produced at the park. October 2006.

Artists will present two public programs during their residency. This interaction can be tailored to an individual’s medium, interest, and experience using only a few hours during the residency period. Programs can be demonstrations, talks, exploratory walks, or performances. In addition to the park, the nearby community college art department can be used as a public program venue. Artists must provide their own supplies and equipment for these presentations. Artists are also requested to give a public presentation in their community about their residency experience.

Williams is backlit by the setting sun as she paints.

NPS/T. Scott Williams

Visual Artist Heather Serfling Williams creates at Kachina Point during her residence. May 2006.

How to Apply

Artists must submit application materials and art samples exactly as indicated on the application form. Insufficient or excess materials are causes for application rejection, as is an artist's proposed use of a work already in progress as a residency project.

Applications will be accepted for the 2009 program with postmarks dated through March 15, 2009. Applications postmarked after the deadline will not be considered.

A panel of judges from diverse artistic disciplines will choose six finalists and two alternates. Selection is based on artistic merit, the Statement of Purpose, and appropriateness to a national park residency.

Notification of finalists will be made by April 1, 2009.

Please print the application form and return with required materials.

NPS/T. Scott Williams

Patricia Cummins captures the Painted Desert with bright colors. July 2007.

Petrified Forest National Park’s Artist-In-Residence Program is managed by the Division of Resource Management, aspiring to share with the public the scenic beauty and stories of Petrified Forest National Park through the world of art. The works completed under this program contribute to the public understanding and appreciation of our national parks and create a legacy preserved for future generations.

For more information contact the Chief of Resource Management at (928) 524-6228 ext. 267.

2008 Schedule of Artists-in-Residence
Michael Kabotie - Painter
Miriam Sagan - Writer, Poet
David Brock - Print Maker, Painter
Joella Jean Mahoney - Painter
Francis Kazemek - Writer
Joe Decker - Photographer, Digital Imaging
Robert Dorlac - Painter
Amy Hautman - Painter, Illustrator
Cameron Zebrun - Painter, Sculptor
Shonto Begay - Painter, Author, Poet
Matthew Yates & Rosanna Salonia - Photographers

2007 Artists-in-Residence:
Mary C. Nasser
Rebecca Wissehr
Ruane Miller
Patricia Rottino Cummins
Keith Ekiss
Robert deJonge

2006 Artists-in-Residence:
Shonto Begay
Buckshot Dot
Gloria Giffords and Meredith Milstead
Amy Henderson
Fred Hirschmann
Michael Kabotie
Mark Klett
Adam Longatti
Liz Nichols
Dale Schicketanz
Heather Serfling Williams
Ellen Simper
Thomas Wiewandt
Meredith Williams
Fay Wyles