Artist-in-Residence Program

John B. Fairbanks painting Zion Canyon

Courtesy of the Clark Family, Tooele, Utah

Meet Zion's 2021 Artists-in-Residence

Five artists have been selected to serve as Artists-in-Residence in Zion National Park in 2021. 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.

Rebecca Shewmaker
Residency Dates: February 1 - March 1, 2021
Fiber Artist. Richardson, TX

Hannah Sandvold
Residency Dates: April 9 - May 3, 2021
Woodblock Printmaker. Madison, WI

Kellie Flint
Residency Dates: June 3 - July 1, 2021
Painter. Palm Springs, CA

William Sillin
Residency Dates: September 1 - 30, 2021
Painter. Sunderland, MA

Jim Harris
Residency Dates: October 12 - November 10, 2021
Woodcut Printmaker

Resident artists spend 30 days living in a historic cabin in Zion National Park. They explore and surround themselves in the sights, sounds, textures, and wonders of Zion to find inspiration for their work. Each artist conducts two public presentations on their work and residency experience. Date, time, and location of these presentations will be announced closer to each artist's residency.

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.

Zion's Artist in Residence Program

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

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 and the Southern Utah University Department of Art and Design 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. Unfortunately, international applicants are unable to apply at this time.

The application for Zion's 2022 residency program is now available. Applications are due by July 31, 2021.

Three month-long spots are available:

• February 1 - February 28, 2022
• September 1 - 28, 2022
• October 17 - November 14, 2022

You can access the application via Slideroom here. In addition to uploading examples of your work, you'll also need to submit a statement of purpose for your residency (no more than one double-spaced page) and your resume.

 

The Artist in Residence program will invite professional writers, composers, and all visual artists to pursue their particular art form while surrounded by the inspiring landscape of the park.

For additional information, please contact the Artist-in-Residence Program coordinators by email at [e-mail] or by phone at 435-772-0184.