The application for San Antonio Missions National Historical Park's 2023 Artist-In-Residence is now closed. General program information for the 2023 program can be found in the sections below.
For over one hundred years, the majestic views and awe-inspiring heritage of National Park Service sites have influenced artists if all mediums and backgrounds. Today, the sights and sounds in national parks continue to inspire artists in more than 50 residency programs across the country. Today's artists document the resources of our national parks, and interpret their beauty in ways that connect with people from around the world. Each year, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park welcomes artists to an immersive national park experience. During this time, artists intimately interact with the site and its culture, including visitors, while creating artworks for the public to enjoy. This program is sponsored by the National Park Service and Mission Heritage Partners.
Previous Artist-In-Residence JT Fineart.
NPS Photo/JT Fineart
Eligibility
The Artist-In-Residence program is open to a wide range of artists, including:
Writers
Musicians
Craftspeople
Composers
Painters
Photographers
Performance artists
Etc. (All artists are encouraged to apply)
Benefit to the Artist
Resident artist will have the opportunity to develop their artistic discipline while being surrounded by the park’s inspiring landscape. As well as opportunities to engage and inspire the public through outreach initiatives.
· Studio space may be provided to the artist dependent on availability.
· The Artist-In-Residence program comes with a $10,000-dollar program grant. The grant is fully funded by our park partner, Mission Heritage Partner.
Requirements
Selected artist will be required to donate a mutually agreed upon original piece(s) of work that is representative of their residency at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Artist agrees to share all copyrights for donated work to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and park partner, Mission Heritage Partners, giving shared ownership and rights to reproduce it.
Artist-In-Residence will provide: Two 4-hour public workshops, once-weekly open studio time in the park, and a final exhibit showcase.
Dance at Mission San Juan
NPS Photo
Email saan_interpretation@nps.gov to apply.
Please include:
Name, Address, Phone Number, Email
Social Media/Website
Artistic Medium
Statement of Purpose:
What do you hope to gain through your experience in this program?
How will you engage with visitors while in the Artist-In-Residence Program?
What inspires you about San Antonio Mission National Historical Park?
Samples of your work, such as:
Musician/Composers: 3 digital samples of the artist’s work.
Visual Artist (Painters, sculptors, etc.): 3 images of artist’s work.
Writers: 3 brief short stories, essays, poems or other work.
Performing Artists: A demonstration in a digital audio or video file.
All other Artist: Send appropriate sample based on the above.
Selection Process
A jury of representatives from San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and park partner, Mission Heritage Partners will review all submitted materials. Selections will be based on the artist merit, how their artistic work can advance the mission of the National Park Service and understanding of the park’s interpretive themes.
Previous Artists
2023 Artist-in-ResidenceMichelle Hernandez: Michelle, a local south-side San Antonio clay artist and studio owner hosted weekly Studio Hours inside the Tufa House at Mission San Juan as well as two free clay workshops.
2020 Mission San Jose Tricentennial Mural by Sandra Gonzalez: To comemmorate 300 years of Mission San Jose, local artist Sandra Gonzalez’s artwork respectfully acknowledges the city and mission community’s cultural and natural history. The mural is located on the exterior of the Visitor Center at 6701 San José Drive in San Antonio facing Roosevelt Avenue, and made possible with the support of Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival and Mission Heritage Partners.
2020 Artist-in-Residence Cruz Ortiz: Cruz Ortiz created a series of 10 original oil paintings of the park, on display virtually in the 'Documenting an Old Empire: the San Antonio Missions en plein air' online gallery.
2019 Artist-in-Residence Sabra Booth: Sabra Booth created an exhibit in Mission San Jose titled 'Portals of a People.' The exhibit incorporated native plants, printmaking, and light works.
2018 Artists-in-Residence Jenny Tarpley and James Tarpley: Jenny Tarpley and James Tarpley created a photo bank of high quality images of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
2017 Michael Nye: Four Voices Exhibit where new emerging voices and experiences bring life and breath into a larger understanding.
In 2020, local artist Sandra Gonzalez created a mural to commemorate the tricentennial of Mission San Jose. It is now on display on the exterior of the Visitor Center: 6701 San Jose Drive, San Antonio, TX 78210.
Cruz Ortiz, 2020.
Cruz Ortiz
2020 Artist-in-Residence San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Local artist Cruz Ortiz uses painting, drawing, and public activation to address issues related to his experiences growing up in the bicultural landscape of South Texas.
This year, we comemmorate the tricentennial of Mission San Jose. Mission San Jose was founded on the banks of the San Antonio River in 1720. Some of our community members living in San Antonio today have ancestors who lived in the missions 300 years ago.
The Artist-in-Residence program at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is generously supported by Mission Heritage Partners, the official friends group of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
Some of Sabra's pieces are hiding in unlikely places, like the holes in the granary door. Find this piece in the Solder's Quarters at Mission San Jose.
NPS Photo.
Sabra Booth
2019 Artist-in-Residence at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Sabra Booth, the 2019 Artist-in-Residence at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, is a well-known local printmaker, animator, and mixed media artist in San Antonio. Her work at San Antonio Missions combines prints, freestanding sculptures, and light boxes to explore the role of native plants in the history and culture of South Texas. 'Portals of a People' is a combination of prints and freestanding displays in the Granary and Solder's Quarters, in the northwest section of Mission San Jose. 'Portals of a People' prompts reflection on the local flora and prehistoric peoples whose descendants built the missions we enjoy today.
The Artist-in-Residence program at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is generously supported by Mission Heritage Partners, the official friends group of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
Sabra and her students hold up their prints after the public printmaking workshop in the Visitor Center.
One key component of every Artist-in-Resident experience is the public program. Sabra Booth offered two free, public printmaking programs at Mission San Jose. The public was invited to learn printmaking techniques with Sabra Booth, and create their own print to take home. Visitors used native plant samples to make their print artwork. About 30 participants joined Sabra Booth for these public programs.
Steven Siggins, Stone Mason, National Park Service
Michael Nye, 2017
Four Voices Exhibit by Michael Nye
National Parks connect our past to the present. Sometimes they illuminate natural landscapes while other times they amplify and honor historical events. Our parks are agreements between generations, symbols of significance, care and deep reflection.
The stories from San Antonio Missions represent divergent and significant points of view: 17th Century explorers - Native American groups of the Southwest - Early Texas history – Spanish colonization - Stone masons and builders of the Missions – Battles of opposing interest – There is also the point of view of the land and creeks and pecan trees and the deep blue South Texas skies above.
The history of the Missions did not end in the 17th, 18th or 19th century. No. History is energetic and invites present participation. In every corner, every room, in every mission, light grows brighter or dims. New emerging voices and experiences bring life and breath into a larger understanding. This small project is about listening.
