Bighorn Canyon announces 2024 artists-in-residence

Artists have had a long influence on the formation, expansion and direction of America’s national parks. By painting landscapes of the American West, artists publicized natural wonders little known to an eastern populace. Their work helped stimulate the establishment of parks and to foster an appreciation of them.

Today, artists continue to document the landscapes of our national parks with contemporary techniques. These artists translate the park’s purpose, as a place of pleasure and preservation, into artwork that brings insight, enjoyment and understanding.

Bighorn Canyon received nearly 50 applications from local, national and international artists for the 2024 Artist In Residence (AIR) program, Bighorn Canyon chief of interpretation Christy Fleming said, noting that the applications included a wide array of talent and works from musicians, printers, fiber artists, metal workers, poets, photographers and painters.

“The (selection) team truly enjoyed reviewing the variety of applicants, and the quality of talent made it challenging to select only four,” Fleming said. “This is the ninth year for Bighorn Canyon’s AIR program, and it’s one of my favorite programs we offer. We have met and helped several artists fall in love with the canyon. They become some of our best ambassadors.

“We are always excited for the new group. Each artist will spend two weeks at Bighorn Canyon focusing on their work with at least one day set aside during their stay for public programs and sharing their work.”

The artists selected for the 2024 Bighorn Canyon AIR program are Jessica Moore of Denver, Mike Hansen of Lovell, Katrina Bell of DeForest, Wisconsin, and Lindsay Winslow of Southern Michigan.

Bighorn Canyon will announce the dates for each artist throughout the summer and fall on the park Facebook page. The park staff invites all local and visiting artists to attend the public programs, set up an easel, create art, share techniques and be inspired by the Bighorn Canyon setting.

For more information about the AIR program, call Fleming at 307-548-5406, or email her at Christy_Fleming@nps.gov.