Artist-In-Residence

 

Introduction

Over the last century, artists have had an enduring connection with national parks. Their paintings and photographic records exposed these natural wonders to a population often unaware of their existence. Today, national parks continue to inspire artists. In turn, those artists create art that excites millions of people about national parks and builds awareness and fosters stewardship of these beautiful public lands and historic sites.

Shenandoah National Park's Artist-in-Residence program offers artists a chance to live and work in this exceptional environment. The works completed during the program will serve, through the creativity of the selected artists, to deepen the understanding and appreciation of Shenandoah National Park. The Park's Artist-in-Residence program is supported by a generous donation from the Shenandoah National Park Trust. View the gallery of donated pieces by visiting the Shenandoah National Park Trust's website here.

 

2026 Shenandoah National Park Artists in Residence

Shenandoah National Park has selected seven artists for its annual Artist-in-Residence program. This program gives artists an opportunity to creatively explore Shenandoah’s natural and cultural resources and pursue their artistic discipline. Each artist will spend three weeks in Shenandoah and create an original piece reflecting the experience to donate to the park. Please see the schedule of public programs and brief artist biographies below.

2026 Public Artist in Residence Public Programs

May 16, 2026, 4:00pm, Big Meadows Ampitheater: Magan Ruthke will lead an introduction to acrylic gouache (pronounced gwash) on Bristol board. Learn the basics of this centuries-old medium and create your own Shenandoah-inspired painting to take home. Magan will have her completed works in gouache for visitors to view as she discusses her process and answers questions.

June 14, 2026, 12:00pm Big Meadows Ampitheater: Alex Gerasev will lead an outdoor sketching session with Artist in Residence . During this session, Alex will guide attendees on how to capture light and shadow, use atmospheric perspective, and discover and frame subjects for drawing. Alex will provide gentle feedback that will leave attendees feeling more confident and inspired to continue a plein air drawing practice. Paper and drawing materials will be provided.

July 3, 2026, Time TBD, Big Meadows Area: Matt Stock, Dark Sky Scholar and fine-art photographer, will present an exploration of the “parallel universe” of the night. Matt will share the meticulous technical process—and the deep philosophical mission—behind his hyper-real night photography. This talk examines why darkness is a natural resource as vital as the water in the swamp, and how we can use light to protect, rather than obscure, the beauty of Shenandoah National Park.

August 8, 2026, Time TBD, Big Meadows Area: Nyssa Collins will lead a workshop in which participants will learn about the nocturnal creatures of Shenandoah National Park by creating simple shadow puppets and stories. Workshop participants will learn how to make shadow puppets following templates or by inventing their own. Then, they will use their puppets and additional puppets on hand to tell stories for each other - whether mythic tales or just depictions of animal life in the night. At the end of the workshop, participants will take home hand-made puppets and the ability to continue making and performing puppet shows at home. This workshop is appropriate for all ages, but children under the age of 13 should have an accompanying adult.

September 25, 2026 Time TBD, Big Meadows Ampitheater: The Honey Dewdrops, Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish, will host a concert showcasing their experimental folk sound—blending electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin and clawhammer banjo—while weaving in tight vocal harmonies.

October 17, 2026 Time TBD Big Meadows Area: Rebecca Shewmaker will lead "Stitched in the Skyline: Art and Stewardship" a discussion of how the unique geography and autumn transformation of Shenandoah National Park inspire her "threadpaintings." Rebecca will explain her creative process—using a sewing machine and thread to "paint" the world around her—and show examples of her intricate textile art. This talk is an invitation to see the Blue Ridge Mountains through a new lens and discover how contemporary craft can deepen our appreciation for the environment.

October 27, 2026 Time TBD, Loft Mountain Ampitheater: Rebecca Shewmaker invites visitors to explore the ecology of Shenandoah National Park through the art of embroidery. In this hands-on workshop, Rebecca will demonstrate how simple hand-stitching techniques can be used to translate the park's beauty into fiber art. Participants will create their own mini-landscape using colorful threads, blunted needles and fabric, learning how creative practice can serve as a tool for observing, recording, and preserving the natural world. No drawing or embroidery skills required. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

2026 Artist Biographies

Magan Ruthke, Visual Artist - Magan takes traditional patterns into a more modern context while incorporating contrasting, organic shapes in negative fields. Using mostly gouache, acrylic, pencil and ink, Magan draws the viewer in with color conflicts while detailed drawing and negative space encourage the viewer to remain and consider the piece further. Every pattern and picture tells a story pulled from Magan’s memory and develops as the work evolves. Folk art patterns representing natural and historical elements fold around illustrations originating from pivotal moments in Magan’s life and are connected to her training as a Maryland Master Naturalist. Magan previously served as the 2024 Artist-in-Residence at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and was a 2022 Fellow at Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Magan was selected as the May artist and will stay in the park from May 4 to May 25.

Alex Gerasev, Illustrator – Alex creates illustrations, paintings, prints and murals known for bold lines, exquisite craftsmanship and intriguing imagery. His work invites viewers into a world both beautiful and strange where the drama of everyday life unfolds among flying dogs and stranded ships while inquisitive creatures dot ethereal landscapes. Exhibitions of Alex’s work appear internationally and in private and public collections throughout the US and Europe: Boston Public Library, Boston Atheneum, Columbia University, Iraq National Library and Archive, New England Biolabs, St. Mark's School, The Pushkin Museum and Deutsche Immobilien Fonds AG. His mural on Shirley Ave in Revere, MA, opposite Revere Beach station, illustrates the area's past, present and future. Alex grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia and studied at the Repin Academy of Fine Arts. He teaches illustration at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Alex was selected as the June artist and will stay in the park from June 2 to June 23.

Matt Stock, Photographer – Matt specializes in a specific technique of night photography known as "painting with light." While creating his photographs, he collaborates with a team of lighting assistants who meticulously illuminate scenes, capturing hundreds of exposures over several hours. Matt has spent his career as an artist and educator as a Dark Sky advocate, demystifying the nighttime and encouraging everyone to step into nature and understand the world at night. At Shenandoah National Park, Matt seeks to explore the "Displacement Story" after sunset where haunting stone chimneys and foundation stones reveal a human footprint that nature reclaims. He commits himself to creating art that resonates with the park’s legacy and inspires future generations by aligning with the historic role of artists as advocates within National Parks. Matt received the Knight Arts Challenge Grant and graduated with an MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He previously served as the Artist-in-Residence for Great Smoky Mountains National Park (2025) and Biscayne National Park (2012). When he isn’t exploring forests, mountains and wetlands at night, he leads the Visual Arts Department at Ransom Everglades School in Miami, Florida. Matt was selected as the July artist and will stay in the park from June 29 to July 20.

Nyssa Collins, Puppeteer – Nyssa, a puppeteer, animator and sculptor from Knoxville, Tennessee, uses paper silhouettes and hand-built puppets to create stories about the mystical experience of life on earth. Nyssa begins stories at the edge of what humans can fully see in the world, limited by the human condition. Nyssa’s work often examines the tensions between anthropocentric societies and the natural world. Though humans develop sophisticated modern societies to cater to every comfort, they still live in animal bodies and minds that create meaning through stories and images. When modern humans go about their lives, often blissfully unaware of geographical features, slight changes of season or the ceaseless activity of other species, they miss an entire world of activity. Nyssa seeks to reconcile human attention with the world that continuously, brilliantly unfolds just beyond the daily scope. Nyssa was selected as the August artist and will be in the park from July 25 to August 15.

The Honey Dewdrops, Folk Musicians- Virginia natives, Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish of The Honey Dewdrops, began touring in 2009 and have performed thousands of shows and released eight full length albums. Laura and Kagey constantly push the boundaries of their experimental folk sound—blending electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin and clawhammer banjo—while weaving in tight vocal harmonies. They remain committed to deepening their understanding of the world through songwriting and music. The Honey Dewdrops were selected as the September artists and will be in the park from September 8 - 29.

Rebecca Shewmaker, Fiber Artist – For Rebecca’s work, which she calls “threadpainting,” Rebecca creates landscape images using needle and thread rather than paint and brush. She begins the process by dyeing cotton fabric for sky and land then spends many hours sewing straight and zigzag stitches. Rebecca frequently changes threads to add color and texture and provides final details through hand embroidery. Rebecca enjoys the slow, repetitive stitching in the pieces. Artist residencies and visits to national parks catalyze Rebecca’s artistic process. Rebecca cannot create new work without experiencing a place in person; for each piece, she spends hours photographing, sketching and simply being in the environment. Using these references, Rebecca creates landscapes out of thread and fabric. She produces only a few pieces per month as each requires extensive stitching. Her creative process reflects the time and changes she experiences in the places she depicts. Rebecca was selected as the October artist and will be in the park from October 6 to October 27.

Expectations

The Artist-in-Residence program requires the selected artist to donate an original pieces of art, representative of the artist's style and reflecting the artist's residency within six months of the artist's stay. Selected artist will also be required to present two public programs during their residency. Artists must provide their own supplies, though an additional $100 stipend is available to support public programs.

Eligibility

Artists of all disciplines are encouraged to apply, however Artists in Residence must be at least 18 years old and provide their own transportation to and within the park for the duration of the residency. Housing is only provided to the artists. Family members, friends and significant others may not stay in the housing.

We will not consider any forms of art that manipulate or disturb the park's natural and cultural landscape. Selected artist must comply with all National Park Service and Shenandoah National Park regulations and policies. Sale of art in Shenandoah National Park during the residency is prohibited.

 

Previous Artists

Watch this featured video and more here.

 

Duration:

24 minutes, 46 seconds

Learn how Artist-in-Residence Nancy Hershberger makes art quilts that inspire others to get out and explore Shenandoah National Park!

Watch on YouTube