Artists-in-Residence 2025

A beautiful wood intarsia created by former Artist-in-Residence Dennis Pritchard.  Full Moon Shadows, copyright Dennis Pritchard 2020.

Dennis Pritchard 2020.

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (SAPU)
Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program
July – August 2025

Welcome to Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.

Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico, you will find Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (SAPU). Its three distinct sites offer a glimpse into a unique time in history, a time entrenched with cultural borrowing, conflict, and struggles. These sites continue to stand as reminders of the Spanish and Pueblo peoples’ early encounters and prompt exploration of today’s interactions among different people.

Artists in National Parks

Artists have been a part of national parks since the 1870s, when famed Hudson River painters played a vital role in documenting the majestic landscapes of the West. It was through their works of art that the public came to see these special places in America—places destined to become the first national parks.
Today, visual artists document the landscape and cultural features of our parklands, following both traditional techniques and contemporary approaches that stir the imaginations and wanderlust of visitors from around the world. Writers, musicians, composers, sculptors, storytellers, dancers, and other performing artists draw inspiration from and focus the attention of new generations on our national treasures.
Artists use their talents to bring the sights and stories of the parks to life for the public. National Park Service (NPS) AIR programs have been providing unique interpretive programming since 1969.

 

Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions Logo

Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions

SAPU’s Artist-in-Residence Program – A Partnership between the Park and the Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions

The AIR program at SAPU is a partnership between the park and the Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions (FSPM). The mission of the FSPM is to promote public support for the care, preservation, and educational opportunities of SAPU.
The AIR program at SAPU offers professional writers, composers and visual and performing artists the opportunity to pursue their artistic discipline in the park’s inspiring and stimulating environment. And thanks to the financial support by FSPM, the program offers a stipend for the selected artist to support their own transportation to and from the park, supplies, provisions, and/or housing.
The selected artist will receive a stipend of $1,000 if they reside within 100 miles, or $2,000 if they reside outside 100 miles, of the park’s Mountainair Headquarters. Proof of residency is required. Stipend payments will occur at the beginning of the residency and at the conclusion of the residence.

SAPU’s AIR Program 2025 Theme: Photographer-in-Residence

For summer 2025, SAPU is looking for a photographer-in-residence! SAPU is an innovative and fast-paced park looking for an artist with a strong background/skillset in photography. As SAPU’s Artist-in-Residence, the selected artist will create a visually attractive photo portfolio showcasing the park’s cultural and natural resources, including the park’s pristine dark skies. Your work will be featured as promotional and educational outreach materials on the park’s website and social media.

 

Oil Painting of Quarai

Marilyn Wightman, Mountainair - Plein Air Art Collaboration

Program Term and Expectations

This year, the AIR Program at SAPU will run from July 7 through August 8, 2025. The Photographer-in-Residence will be expected to complete a five-week residency while at Salinas Pueblo Missions. SAPU is located within the small tight knit rural town of Mountainair, NM where you will find various art galleries, exhibits and spaces that promote local artistry. As SAPU's Photographer-in-Residence, you will be expected to:

• Develop a professional and visually attractive photo portfolio of the park's cultural and natural resources, including its dark skies.
• Lead a Dark Sky Photography Workshop for visitors during the park's Dark Sky Event scheduled for July 25, 2025.
• Lead a guided hike for visitors at one of the park's units to introduce the basics of Outdoor Photography.
• Provide one photography workshop for visitors participating in the Art in the Park program in July 2025 (date to be identified).
• Host a presentation for park staff and FSPM to showcase your completed portfolio at the end of the residency.

As SAPU’s Photographer-In-Residence, you will be able to:

• Access the park’s library to learn about the park to better inform development of your artwork.
• Contribute to the park’s and the NPS photo library.
• Attend staff meetings and contribute ideas, opinions, and suggestions.
• Gain access to the park’s gym.

We are looking for applicants that,

• Have experience with Outdoor and Landscape Photography.
• Have experience with Dark Sky Photography.
• Have experience teaching Photography to people of all ages.
• Are willing to receive direction in the development of photo portfolio.
• Are comfortable having their artwork featured in NPS websites and social media.

All supplies and provisions must be provided by the selected artist. There is no studio space available at the park. Park housing may be available. Park housing consists of RV pads, with high-speed internet and strong cellular connection.

 

Karen Argeanas', painting of Quarai

Karen Argeanas

Program Application Requirements:

1. First, apply via Volunteer.gov (SEARCH Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument). Note: The application period is open May 1 – May 16, 2025.
2. After submitting your Volunteer.gov application, interested applicants must send in the following documents to [e-mail]:

• Your Resume (4 pages maximum; do not include personal photographs)
• Summary of Creative Works (2 pages maximum). Examples include exhibits, galleries, performances, recordings, publications, shows, etc.
• Statement of Purpose (2 pages maximum). Share why you are interested in serving as an Artist-in-Residence at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, what you hope to gain from the experience, how you expect to grow as an artist, how your work contributes to the National Park Service values of stewardship, education, recreation, and preservation, and describe your ability to live in a rural setting.
• Public Program Concept (1 page). The selected artist will be asked to provide a photography workshop for visitors during their residency as part of the Art in the Park program. The workshop is expected to last 60-90 minutes in length and will include an introduction to photography, hands-on instruction, discussion, and a demonstration of your work. Please provide a brief concept outline of your public program.
• Samples of Recent Works. Provide up to 10 images embedded within a Word or PDF document. Images should include samples of dark sky photography. Clearly label each image with your name, the work’s title, medium, and dimensions. Images should focus on the actual artwork; extraneous backgrounds, mattes, or frames should not be included.

Artwork Donation:

There is no requirement to donate physical pieces of artwork produced during the AIR program to the park. The selected artist is asked to donate digital representations of their artwork. While the artist retains copyright of donated artwork, they are asked to grant permission without restriction for the park to use and publicize their artwork (including on NPS websites) for the purposes of interpretation, exhibition, and education. When SAPU utilizes artwork produced during the AIR program, the park will credit the artwork using the following language: “[NAME OF ARTWORK] was produced by [NAME OF ARTIST] under the [YEAR] Artist-in-Residence Program at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.”
When the artist-in-residence reproduces the artwork for their own purposes, publication will include the language: “This artwork was produced under the [YEAR] Artist-in-Residence Program at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.”

 

Painting of Quarai

Carrie Dean, Mountainair - Plein Air Art Collaboration.

Other Information:

The artist-in-residence should be self-sufficient and ready to work closely with park staff. The selected artist is required to be enrolled in the Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) program at SAPU.
Insurance: The selected artist and their companions are responsible for being fully insured and on time for the residency. The NPS is not responsible and will not cover any damages to the artist’s property during the term of the residency and public engagements.
Program Cancellation: The AIR program may be cancelled or interrupted due to a government shutdown, artist’s nonparticipation, or during any hazardous weather conditions, including but not limited to fire danger, environmental concerns, or any unforeseen circumstances, natural or otherwise, for which the NPS will not be held accountable or responsible.

AIR Program Management:

The SAPU AIR program is managed by the park’s Division of Interpretation and Visitor Services. The finished artwork completed under this program is expected to characterize SAPU for present and future generations and offer the park visitor and the public an opportunity to appreciate our heritage through the expressions of contributing artists.