Artist in Wilderness Residency

Since 2008, the Artist in Wilderness program has sponsored one-week residencies each year to allow select artists to make works inspired by the lands that Wilderness Workshop is working to protect. For 2017, four residencies are being offered, typically to be completed between June 1 and October 1, with exact dates worked out with each artist after selection. Professional artists from all points on the globe are invited to apply. Traditionally, at least one residency is awarded to a Colorado artist.

Selected participants will be chosen by a jury made up of regional artists, collectors, and arts administrators. For 2017, the program is seeking artists who work in mixed mediums, specifically pieces to be hung or framed, including watercolor, oil, acrylic, or collage using texture, light and movement as guidelines. Wilderness Workshop will provide selected participants with housing, a hiking guide as required, a $1,500 stipend, and reimbursement for travel to/from Aspen for up to $1,000 ($400 for Colorado residents). Good health and endurance are essential. The artist will be responsible for their own food, equipment and materials, and must comply with all relevant USFS/BLM regulations.

Each Artist in Wilderness must provide Wilderness Workshop with one original piece valued at $1,500 or higher inspired by the experience, which will form a fundraising auction for the benefit of Wilderness Workshop. Additionally, artists must give the organization reproduction rights and high resolution digital images of at least five works resulting from the residency. All pieces and images must be delivered by the end of the year. Applications must include a $25 non-refundable fee, artist statement, letter of intent explaining why you are applying and what the residency would mean for your career (including date preferences), resume including educational background, exhibitions, collections and publications, and between 5 and 7 digital examples of artwork, preferably relating to nature.