News Release

Joshua Tree National Park Artist-in-Residence and Friendly Hills Elementary Team Up

Date: May 3, 2018
Contact: George Land, 760-367-5507

Last month, park Artist in Residence, Jessica Bryant worked with 5th and 6th grade classes from Friendly Hills Elementary to create a series of three large paintings of park landscapes. During Bryant’s fall 2017 residency, students received instruction designed to enhance drawing skills while focusing on observation and value rendering. Much of this was accomplished on field trips to, and hiking in the national park. Subjects included sunrise at Cholla Cactus Garden, midday in Lost Horse Valley and sunset at Quail Springs.

Students from Hanna Mohn’s six grade class and Don Henry’s fifth and six grade classes took part in the project. The finished paintings will be donated to the Friendly Hills Elementary School.

The Joshua Tree National Park Artist in Residence Program provides educational outreach to students at local schools. The park has hosted artists from around the country and the world to give students the opportunity to connect with the park through artistic expression.