Programs Begin June 21 Continues Through Summer

ESTES PARK – Six artists have been selected for the summer 2015 Artist-in-Residence Program at Rocky Mountain National Park.  This year’s program celebrates the ideals of Rocky’s 100^th anniversary with a line-up of talented artists. Artists are provided with a creative, contemplative environment in which to generate artistic works and share their works with the public.  During their stay at the park, artists share their vision in two public presentations. These presentations are held on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and are free and open to the public.

Photographer Shelby Deutsch from Fort Collins, Colorado, will be kicking off this year’s Art in the Park Program with a program Wednesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Her residency is June 21 through June 27.  Ms. Deutsch is the park’s first teenage Artist-In-Residence.  Ms. Deutsch is currently examining the aspects of nature in layers of mixed media. She has taken a variety of art courses and recently completed a year-long Studio Art course with a concentration in photography.  This aspiring young artist was recently awarded “Photographer of the Year” at Fort Collins High School.   As a 2015 graduate, she plans to use her residency to enhance her technical and conceptual artistic abilities.

In addition to Deutsch, other artists who were selected for this year’s program along with their art medium are: Cory Hills, Storyteller, Musician and Performing Artist from Thousand Oaks, California; Lori Discoe, Visual Artist from Fort Collins, Colorado; Ben Panter, Photographer from Mount Laurel, New Jersey; Kristin Gjerdset, Visual Artist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Ellen Orleans, writer from Boulder, Colorado.

Artistic diversity, new ideas and creative uses of media were encouraged in the application process.  Artists are given two-week residencies at the William Allen White cabin from June through September.  For a specific schedule and to learn more about these artists go to:www.nps.gov/romo/getinvolved/supportyourpark/meet-our-2015-artists-in-residences.htm

Artists have had a long-standing impact on the formation, expansion and direction of our country’s national parks.  Musicians, composers, painters, writers, sculptors and other performing artists also draw upon the multifaceted quality of parks for inspiration.  All of these artists translate the national park’s purpose, as a place of pleasure and preservation, into images which bring others enjoyment and a deeper understanding of the parks some may never visit.  Rocky Mountain National Park’s Artist-In-Residence program provides artists the opportunity to become a part of a long established tradition of artists in our national parks.

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, contact the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.