Brief by Central Staff
Art – February 2009 – Colorado Central Magazine
Some of our national parks came about because of the artistic eye. Paintings and sketches by Thomas Moran, along with photographs by William Henry Jackson (who trained as a painter), helped persuade the U.S. Congress to make Yellowstone the world’s first national park in 1872.
Now the National Park Service is returning the favor, more or less, with an artist-in-residence program at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve near Mosca.
There will be two two-week residencies in late September and early October. Artists will stay in an efficiency apartment near the main visitor center, or bring their own RV or trailer, and get a hook-up nearby.
“We look forward to seeing how contemporary artists will bring new visual perspectives to park visitors,” Superintendent Art Hutchinson explained in announcing the start of the program.
Applications will be accepted through Feb. 28. For particulars, check link, and if you have questions, you can ask them of ranger Patrick Myers at 719-378-6343.
