It is the start of the busy summer season in Alaska. Lupines are blooming, swallows are sitting on eggs, and goslings are teetering about eating grass in Potter Marsh. Before it all gets too crazy I wanted to share some of the things I'll be doing this summer.
National Parks Arts Exhibit at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod
The two illustrations above are currently on display at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod as part of an exhibit on artists in residence in National Parks. It will be up until June 18th.
Voices of the Wilderness Artist Residency with Chugach National Forest in the Nellie Juan- College Fiord Wilderness Study Area
I am currently participating in a two-week artist residency with the Chugach National Forest. We are packing today to head out into the Wilderness Study Area tomorrow. I'll share more about my experience when I get back next week. You can read a blog post about the residency and an interview with me on the Chugach National Forest blog. Voices of the Wilderness is an artist residency program which pairs artists with federal land agencies in Alaska.
Teaching Science Communication with the Juneau Icefield Research Program
In late June and early July I am going to head down to Juneau for a couple weeks to teach science illustration and communication to the students of this year's JIRP class. I haven't worked with JIRP before but I am excited to see what they are doing and to explore a bit of the mountains around Juneau. I will only be there for the first part of their expedition, but the students will traverse the icefield from Juneau to Atlin in British Columbia, Canada.
Field Sketching Workshop with the Alaska Folk School in Talkeetna
I'm teaching a two-day field sketching workshop July 29-30 in beautiful Talkeetna. We'll spend time going over supplies and techniques for observational drawing and watercolor painting, spending time in the classroom and outside. You can register online here.
Solo Show with the Fairbanks Arts Association
During the month of August I'll have an exhibit, Portraits of Nature, up at the Bear Gallery in Fairbanks. This will mostly be new work. I'll share more about it throughout July.
McCarthy Mail Shack Community Mural
Another project I'll be working on throughout the summer is a community mural on the McCarthy Mail Shack. A "shack" might not sound like an important building, but it is where everyone who lives here gets their mail. It is also is one of the first things visitors see if they fly in by small plane. It has a beautiful view of the Kennicott Valley and surrounding mountains.
Summer is busy season here in Alaska! It's the time when the most people are in the state and events and programs are going on. I'll be sharing my adventures as much as possible here on the blog. I hope your summer plans are shaping up as well!