Date: January 31, 2017
Contact: Katherine Belcher, (907) 683-9583
DENALI PARK, Alaska – Calling all artists! Join us in Fairbanks for the Denali National Park and Preserve Winterfest kickoff and start of the park’s yearlong celebration of its 100th birthday at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center on Feb. 18!
This is the first in a series of Denali birthday events planned throughout the year and will include volunteers and past participants of Denali’s Artist-in-Residence program who will lead talks, readings and hands-on activities. The day will conclude with an open mic opportunity at 3:30 pm for audience members to share their own short poems, stories or experiences of Denali.
Participation in the two morning art activities is free and requires no advance registration. Space and supplies are provided for 15 participants on a first-come basis.
- 10 am – Art activity with Margo Klass (Classroom)
- 11:30 pm – Art activity with Ree Nancarrow (Classroom)
- 1 pm – Audio-Visual Presentation by Stephen Lias about Composing Music for National Parks (Auditorium)
- 2 pm – Readings of poems and essays about Denali by John Morgan, Linda Schandelmeier, Carolyn Kremers, and Nicole Stellon O'Donnell (Auditorium)
- 3:30 pm – Open mic readings and testimonials from audience members about Denali
Denali’s Artist-in-Residence program is dedicated to exploring new ways for visitors to experience Denali. From hundreds of competitive applications each year, about a half-dozen accomplished artists, writers, and composers are invited by the park superintendent to spend ten days in Denali at their own expense the following winter or summer. Visits include a permit for limited access along the Denali Park Road and time alone at a historic ranger patrol cabin.
Each participant volunteers to lead a public outreach activity with visitors and to donate a finished work to the program collection. Artists are challenged to create works for visitors that convey a fresh and innovative perspective of Denali drawn from direct experience. With the welcome addition of several year-round gallery spaces beyond park boundaries, more of these donated works enjoy a larger life in the public eye.
Costs of program operations and collateral-duty staffing are supported by visitor entry fees. Costs of supplies for free outreach activities are provided by Alaska Geographic with funds derived from purchases at park bookstores.
