Wyoming State Parks Artist in Residence
In partnership between the Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming State Parks, the Artist in Residence program joins visual artists with the wonder and unexpected opportunities in Wyoming State Parks. This is a 10-day road trip that happens every August where artists will have a choice of itinerary that includes creating art while visiting a minimum of 4 State Parks to be inspired by the beauty of the state.
Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Artist in Residence Program
The Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources (SPCR) Artist in Residence program is open to visual artists. Both established and emerging artists are welcome to apply.
The selected artist will receive a $3500.00 stipend and waived camping and day use fees. Camping is required, no gear will be provided although cabins, yurts, and/or dorm housing will be offered. The selected artist must have their own vehicle and must be a year-round resident of Wyoming and at least 18 years of age.
Selected artists will be required to document the residency through blog and social media posts. Artists must create a minimum of 10 pieces inspired by their experience for the Artist-in-Residence Show and Sale, hosted at the Wyoming State Museum, November – January.
Additional information can be found on the State Parks’ website.
The next round of applications will open January 8, 2025.
2024 Artist in Residence: Bailey Russel (Laramie)
Bailey Russel, a photographer based in Laramie whose work ranges from traditional tintypes to large-scale camera obscuras to digital landscape and animal photography has been named the 2024 Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Artist in Residence.
Bailey Russel is a professor of photography at the University of Wyoming. Originally from New Jersey, Bailey received a BA from Princeton University and an MA in Photography from NYU before moving to Laramie, Wyoming in 2011. His photographic work mostly addresses issues of land usage and how this relates to photographic processes. He has worked with digital photography, traditional film processes, room sized camera obscuras, wet plate collodion and other early, alternative methods of image making, pairing them with subjects ranging from the Colorado River expedition of John Wesley Powell to the iconic monuments of the west. Currently, Bailey is working on a photo project about extraction and energy development in Wyoming.
Russel will be visiting at least 4 State Parks and Historic Sites throughout Wyoming. Additionally, the residency consists of the artist producing a community service component in conjunction with their time in the Parks, and will conclude with an exhibit at the Wyoming State Museum in November, showcasing works created throughout the residency.
2024 SPCR Artist in Residence Show and Sale: November 7 – December 31
Public Reception: Friday, December 6 from 4-6pm
Wyoming State Museum • 2301 Central Ave in Cheyenne
Free Admission • Open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This year’s Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Artist in Residence Show and Sale will open November 7 – December 31 at the Wyoming State Museum. The Show and Sale will be on display in the lobby of the museum, highlighting the works created by Bailey Russel, the 2024 Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Artist in Residence, during his 10-day road trip residency in August.
Additionally, a reception for the Show and Sale will be held Friday, December 6, 2024 from 4-6 p.m. at the Wyoming State Museum, 2301 Central Ave in Cheyenne. This event is free and open to the public.
Over the course of his residency, Russel visited Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park, Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site, Buffalo Bill State Park, and Sinks Canyon State Park, with day trips to Hot Springs State Park, South Pass City, and Independence Rock State Historic Site. Additionally, he hosted a free Cyanotype workshop at Sinks Canyon State Park which was attended by community members of all ages.
The exhibit will showcase works created during the residency and highlight the creative process of working while ‘on the road.’ Works will be available for viewing and for purchase. The Wyoming State Museum is open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and admission is free.
The Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Artist in Residence is a collaborative program between Wyoming State Parks, Wyoming Arts Council, and the Wyoming State Museum.
2023 Artist-In-Residence: Bria Hammock (Cheyenne)
Check out Bria’s blog on the State Parks’ here
For more information, contact Kimberly Mittelstadt, Creative Arts Specialist at the Wyoming Arts Council, 307-274-6673 or Kimberly.mittelstadt@wyo.gov.
Contact: Kimberly Mittelstadt
