News Release

Artist in Resident, Carol Chamberland Offers Free Public Programs at Mesa Verde

Date: September 19, 2017
Contact: Cristy Brown, 970-529-4608

Mesa Verde National Park welcomes painter Carol Chamberland of Albuquerque, New Mexico as its next Artist in Residence. During Carol’s residency, September 18-30, two free public programs will be offered. On Thursday, September 28 at the Mancos Public Library from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Carol will discuss the influence of public lands on her work. Slides of her paintings and explorations will be shown. On Friday, September 29, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., meet at Chapin Mesa Museum lobby for a Trail-side Drawing Hike. This leisurely hike will follow the Petroglyph Point trail, a 2.4 mile trek. On this hike, participants will examine the geology along the way and stop to sketch at the petroglyph panel. Carol will provide tips and pointers to help with your sketch. Participants are encouraged to bring water and hiking poles, and wear boots and a hat. Materials will be provided. Both events are free and open to the public.
 
Carol draws inspiration for her paintings from the landscape and from the people who have lived here for millennia. She says, “I am looking forward to two uninterrupted weeks of exploring the canyons, the cliff dwellings, the petroglyphs, and the park’s wonderful museum as invaluable inspiration for new paintings. It is my hope that these paintings will inspire people to explore the marvels of our public lands on their own, with enhanced awareness.” Her method involves exploring difficult terrain on foot to produce interpretive imagery of specific locations. This allows others to experience what she has seen and felt, even if they cannot make the physical journey themselves. 
 
Carol is a seasoned rock art recorder and researcher from central New Mexico, who has published articles and taught classes on various aspects of rock art. She goes to great lengths to visit ancient rock art sites around the world and has traveled to France and Spain to visit the painted caves. Additionally, she organized an ongoing volunteer project to record rock art on public lands for the BLM.  Her digital graphic series celebrates the vision of ancient rock artists with the utmost respect for their craft. Each image is carefully drawn, then digitized and superimposed on a graphically enhanced photograph of the landscape where the petroglyph resides. 
 
Mesa Verde National Park’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program provides professional artists the opportunity to become part of a long established tradition of artists creating art in our national parks. The AIR program offers professional 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. This year’s artists were selected from over 45 applicants by a jury of five consisting of the Chief of Interpretation, MVMA staff, and three local professional artists. Applications for the 2018 Artist in Residence program at Mesa Verde National park will be accepted beginning November 1 through December 31, 2017. To apply and to learn more go to www.nps.gov/meve/getinvolved/air_artists.htm and www.mesaverde.org.
 
The AIR program is managed by the nonprofit Mesa Verde Museum Association (MVMA), the park’s innovative educational partner that inspires life-long stewardship of the Mesa Verde region’s cultural and natural heritage. Through MVMA’s operation of park bookstores, free or low-cost seminars, workshops, and special programs, visitors of all ages gain understanding of Mesa Verde. Proceeds from all association programs support Mesa Verde National Park. Learn more at www.mesaverde.org or by calling 970-529-4445.

-NPS-