News Release

Mesa Verde National Park 2018 Artists in Residence Announced

Date: January 26, 2018
Contact: Teri Paul, 970-529-4642
Contact: Cristy Brown, 970-529-4608

Mesa Verde Museum Association and Mesa Verde National Park are pleased to announce the selections for the 2018 Mesa Verde National Park Artists in Residence Program. Forty-nine artists from all over the United States, Germany, Australia, and Great Brittan applied to the program this year. The submissions featured a variety of media and inspirations. The final artists were chosen based on their artwork, their statement of purpose, the compatibility of their proposed projects with the interpretive themes of the park, and their unique ideas for public programs.

With so many applicants, judges had the difficult task of choosing only 5 artists, and 3 alternates, to fill 5 two week long sessions this year. The finalists include:

Ellen Augarten, a photographer from Northampton, Massachusetts, was enthralled by a recent visit to Mesa Verde, particularly by the changes in the landscape due to fire. Ellen plans to focus on fire and its effect on the landscape and the future of the park. She uses double exposure and camera movement techniques to create unexpected, unusual, and often beautiful imagery that can transform a photograph into a painterly looking image. She will use these techniques in the burned and un-burned areas of Mesa Verde. For examples of Ellen’s work visit www.ellenaugartenphotography.com

Rosie Carter, of Cortez, Colorado, whose unique designs are primarily pen and ink drawings will create a special illustrated map of the park. Locals may know her as the proprietor of the Home and Range Gallery in Cortez. Recently she completed a remarkable illustrated map for the Montezuma Land Conservancy. To see her work go to http://rosiecarter.com/

Rick Kempa is a poet, essayist and educator from Rock Springs, Wyoming. During his residency, Rick plans to complete his manuscript, Thirst and Water: Essays from Canyon Country. He will offer several writing workshops in September. Find out more about Rick at http://www.rickkempa.com/.

JanyRae Seda, of Boise, Idaho, brings her vivid painting style to share with Mesa Verde visitors. She says, “I am a 4th generation Idahoan, a studio painter, and an impressionist who loves to paint the western sky and landscape. I believe the marks, strokes and gestures of paint express the forces of nature, vibrancy, and power. See her paintings at www.janyrseda.com.

Painter Gwen Sullivan, from Gilbert, South Carolina, brings a unique aspect of painting to Mesa Verde this year. An accomplished painter, Gwen also creates her own paints from natural materials and uses them to create her work. “I want to show that art can be created using the elements of nature. The old, time-honored way of making paint and making art is still possible. I want to show that the beauty and uniqueness of the national parks, in general, and Mesa Verde, in particular, can be showcased in this way.” www.gwensullivan.com

Three alternates were also chosen:

Jaini Hadley a weaver and textile artist from Lancaster, United Kingdom

Debra Jones a painter and illustrator from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Linda Rose a writer, painter and photographer of Mancos, Colorado.

Information regarding each artist’s public program will be announced closer to their residency dates.

We would also like to offer our deepest appreciation to our judges for the many hours they spent going over all of the applications.

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 is managed by the park’s nonprofit cooperating association, the Mesa Verde Museum Association. Learn more at www.nps.gov/meve/getinvolved/artists_in_residence.htm and at www.mesaverde.org.

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