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.

2008 Schedule of Artists-in-Residence

Guest artist, April 4: Michael Kabotie - Painter

May 12-26: Miriam Sagan - Writer, Poet
Join the artist for a presentation of her work at 10:00 a.m. May 21 in the Petrified Forest National Park Community Building, located off I-40, Exit 311. Attendance is free and open to the public.

June 11-25: David Brock - Print Maker, Painter
Join the artist for a demonstration of his painting techniques on Saturday, June 21 at Painted Desert Inn. Attendance is free and open to the public.

June 26-29: Joella Jean Mahoney - Painter
Join the artist for a lecture and slide show on June 28 at 2:00 p.m. in the Petrified Forest National Park Community Building, located off I-40, Exit 311. Attendance is free and open to the public. Read the News Release for more details.

July 13-24: Francis Kazemek - Writer
Join the artist for a "Phoetry" Hike and Workshop on July 22 at 10:00 a.m. from Tawa Point. Read the News Release for more details.

July 25-August 8: Joe Decker - Photographer, Digital Imaging
Join the artist for a Photography and Digital Imaging Hike on August 3 at 1:00 p.m. from Rainbow Forest Museum. Attendance is free and open to the public. Read the News Release for more details.
Join the artist for a Photography and Digital Imaging Lecture on August 5 at 10:00 a.m. in the Petrified Forest National Park Community Building, located off I-40, Exit 311. Attendance is free and open to the public. Read the News Release for more details.

August 10-24: Robert Dorlac - Painter

August 31-September 13: Amy Hautman - Painter, Illustrator

September 14-28: Cameron Zebrun - Painter, Sculptor

September 29-October 4: Shonto Begay - Painter, Author, Poet

October 5-18: Matthew Yates & Rosanna Salonia - Photographers

News Release: Petrified Forest National Park 2008 Artist-In-Residence Program (March 10, 2008)

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 2008 program with postmarks dated through February 15, 2008. 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 March 7, 2008.

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 Museum Curator at (928) 524-6228 ext. 240.

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