For artists, new experiences can be key to getting creativity flowing and launching new projects. The National Park Service Artist Residencies can be the perfect opportunity to draw inspiration from the unique landscapes that the National Parks protect. With diverse animal and plant life, along with access to knowledgeable park rangers and staff, artists are sure to discover new perspectives as they interact with the parks’ vast acreage. The National Park Service Artist Residencies include locations in parks, seashores, lakeshores, historic sites, and battlefields. Each year’s residency offerings differ, with options for photographers, painters, writers, composers and more, depending on each park’s needs. Let’s take a look at five of the most intriguing upcoming residencies.
Craters of the Moon Monument & Preserve Artist in Residence
The Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve Artist in Residence in Southern Idaho offers a truly unique landscape for a variety of artists. The dark rocky terrain originally created by a volcanic eruption 2,000 years ago is pocked with caves and unusual rock structures, creating a distinct contrast between Idaho’s typically bright blue skies. At night, the artist in residence can take in stars and the Milky Way thanks to lack of light pollution and the park’s 2017 designation as anInternational Dark Sky Park. With enough moonlight, light reflects off the landscape to produce an other-worldly experience. True to its name, in 1969, NASA astronauts explored the monument as part of their training to visit the moon. Despite the extreme landscape, many desert animals live in the park. During the day, one can see mule deer, coyotes, porcupines, rabbits, and birds, and during the night, a variety of nocturnal animals including foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, bats, and owls can be spotted. Since 2010, painters, essayists, drawers, architects, poets, and crafters have found inspiration from their time as the artist in residence.
