Artist-in-Residence Program

John B. Fairbanks painting Zion Canyon

Courtesy of the Clark Family, Tooele, Utah

The Zion National Park Artist in Residence program offers professional artists the opportunity to live and work in the majestic desert environment of southern Utah for a period of one month. All visual (painters, photographers, sculptures, etc.), performing (drama, dance, music, composition, etc.) and literary artists are welcome to apply. International applicants are not being accepted at this time.

Meet Zion National Park's 2025 Artists-in-Residence

Three artists have been selected to serve as Artists-in-Residence in Zion National Park in 2025. These artists were selected from a large pool of applicants representing a broad spectrum of art forms. Please look for the following artists during their residency dates.

When in Residence the artist is highly independent, but is expected to present two public programs tailored to an individual's medium, interest, experience, and audience. Holding periodic open studio hours is also encouraged and interacting with the public while in the park is required.

Sylvia Friday
Feb. 2025
Basket Weaver

Catharine DeLong
June 2025
Harpist, composer

Lumi Barron
Oct.-Nov. 2025
Stop motion animator

Resident artists spend 30 days living in a historic cabin in Zion National Park. They explore and surround themselves with the sights, sounds, textures, and wonders of Zion to find inspiration for their work. Each artist conducts two public presentations which are advertised by rangers at the Visitor Center and park information boards.

Zion National Park Artist in Residence Program
The work completed under this program will contribute to the public understanding and appreciation of Zion National Park and should reflect the National Park Service's mission to preserve and protect the park's cultural and natural resources.

Upon conclusion of the Residency, participating artists are given up to six months to finish work inspired by the Residency. An original piece representative of the Residency will then be donated to Zion National Park. The work may be placed in the Park's permanent museum collection, interpretive collection, or, in partnership with the Zion Natl Park Forever Project, may be used in other ways to financially support the park's Artist in Residence programming. You can view some of the donated artwork on our website.

Art and Landscape Preservation
Artists have long painted, photographed, and written about the scenic beauty and natural wonders of the American West. Wide publication of the work of early western artists in the 19th century gave eastern residents the chance to see and dream about landscapes beyond the boundaries of their own neighborhoods and towns. Through their images, these early artists helped promote the idea of landscape preservation and tourism, while also playing an influential role in the establishment of our nation's first national parks.

Zion National Park's Artist-in-Residence Program continues the tradition of these early artists. Inspired by the natural and cultural features that make these preserved landscapes unique, artists use traditional and modern artistic techniques to express their interpretation of the park. Their work provides enjoyment and inspiration to park visitors and contributes to the ongoing conversation about the value of wild places and nature.

 

Selected artists will have the chance to translate the beauty of Zion into works that may bring new insights, enjoyment, and understanding of this desert sanctuary.

Selection Process

A jury of representatives from Zion National Park, park partners, and community arts leaders will review submitted materials and interview the top candidates. Selections will be made on the basis of merit and understanding of the mission of the National Park Service. Selections will be made without regard to race, religion, sex, disability, marital status, or age. International applicants cannot be considered at this time.

The Artist in Residence program invites professional writers, composers, and all visual artists to pursue their particular art form while surrounded by the inspiring landscape of the park. The application period for Zion National Park's Artist-in-Residence in 2026 is open now until August 1, 2025. For additional information, please contact the Artist-in-Residence Program coordinator by email at [e-mail].

 

Musician Rachel Panitch looking out from the Canyon Overlook trail during her time in residence in the park, 2014.

NPS

Musician Rachel Panitch looking out from the Canyon Overlook Trail during her time in residence in the park, 2014.