Artist-In-Residence: Homestead National Monument
From April 26 - May 9, 2019, I had the amazing opportunity to work on-site as a National Park Service Artist-In-Residence at Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, Nebraska. I was selected as one of ten Homestead NM resident artists for 2019, whose media range from painting and performance art to writing and musical composition.
I lived and worked on site for two weeks, where I delved into the Homesteading story, painting, sketching and collaging images inspired by the natural resources and environment at the park, as well as people throughout history whose lives and descendants' lives were greatly influenced by the Homestead Act of 1862, other land acts and Westward Expansion in general. Additionally, I presented a hands-on workshop to visitors where they worked in watercolor and collage, depicting a person or family whose lives were greatly impacted by Homesteading and the Federal Land Acts. It was an incredible experience to be on the prairie, as well as be available to guests, sharing my work and processes, and giving them context regarding what parts of the Homesteading Story have impacted my own life, the lives of my friends and family, and my world views in general.
I lived and worked on site for two weeks, where I delved into the Homesteading story, painting, sketching and collaging images inspired by the natural resources and environment at the park, as well as people throughout history whose lives and descendants' lives were greatly influenced by the Homestead Act of 1862, other land acts and Westward Expansion in general. Additionally, I presented a hands-on workshop to visitors where they worked in watercolor and collage, depicting a person or family whose lives were greatly impacted by Homesteading and the Federal Land Acts. It was an incredible experience to be on the prairie, as well as be available to guests, sharing my work and processes, and giving them context regarding what parts of the Homesteading Story have impacted my own life, the lives of my friends and family, and my world views in general.