For Release: Immediate
Contact: Tessy Shirakawa
Phone: 970-529-4628

Mesa Verde Artist-In-Residence Presents Watercolor Lecture and Demonstration

Mesa Verde National Park is pleased to announce a public lecture and demonstration by Artist-in Residence Mary Hartnett on painting in watercolors. Ms. Harnett will discuss the challenges of exploring and experiencing history and landscape through painting and drawing. Using field sketches and photographs, the artist will demonstrate watercolor techniques used in the studio to produce a finished painting. This lecture – which is free and open to the public - will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Cortez Cultural Center .

Mary Harnett, who has a background in land and resource management, maintains an active studio in Ft. Collins , Colorado , and uses both watercolor and oil to produce paintings that are found in public and private collections throughout the United States . “The Artist in Residency Program at Mesa Verde has given me the opportunity to fulfill a lifetime desire to paint at a major American Archaeological site,” Harnett said, “and I am looking forward to sharing what I’ve learned with the public.”

Begun during Mesa Verde National Park ’s 2006 Centennial, the Artist-In-Residence (AIR) program provides accomplished writers, composers, and visual and performing artists the opportunity to pursue their particular art form while being surrounded by the inspiring ancient architecture of the Ancestral Pueblo People and the sweeping natural landscape of the park. The park provides a historic, rustic residence to selected participants for 4 two-week periods.

or further information about this presentation and the AIR program, please contact Frank Cope, AIR Coordinator, at 970-529-4607. The artist can be contacted through her web site, www.maryharnett.com. The Cortez Cultural Center is located at 25 N. Market St .

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