Congratulations to the Summer 2017 Isle Royale Artists-in-Residence

Houghton, MI – Isle Royale National Park is proud to announce the summer 2017 artists-in-residence. For the professional Artist-in-Residence Program, this year’s selections include Robert Robins (Oil), Michelle Menting (Poetry), David Huckfelt (Songwriter), and Katherine Bergman (Composer), along with three alternates, David Spohn (Itaglio Printmaking), John Gaunt (Graphite, Oil), and Rebecca Jabs (Watercolor, Acrylic, Ink). The artist chosen for the Teen Artist Exploration is Inseo Yoon (Drawing, Papercut) of Houghton, MI. One alternate, Annika Seigel (Songwriter) of Houghton, MI, was also chosen.

For the professional Artist-in-Residence Program, in its 26 year, the park received 114 applications from across the country. A high number of applications displayed professionalism, creativity, and a profound connection to Isle Royale’s wilderness. Due to the many outstanding submissions, this year’s jury was one of the most difficult ever. The jurors’ selection was based on an applicant’s artistic integrity, ability to reside in a wilderness environment, willingness to donate a finished piece of work inspired on the island, and ability to relate and interpret the park through their work.

For the Teen Artist Exploration, in its second year, the park received 13 applications from across the state of Michigan. The creativity, diversity, and quality of submissions improved dramatically this year. There were 3 components to the teen artist selection: 1) judging of artwork by other teens based on creativity, originality, and artistic skill, 2) examining artists’ statements and letters of recommendation, and 3) an artist’s available dates for program participation.

The Isle Royale Artist-in-Residence and Teen Artist Exploration programs provide artists the opportunity to become part of a long-established tradition of interpreting national parks through art. The program is open to artists whose work can be inspired by the park’s unique character, and it offers writers, composers, and all visual and performing artists the opportunity to capture the moods and magic of Isle Royale through their particular art form.

These programs are co-sponsored by Isle Royale National Park, Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association, and the CopperCountry Community Arts Council.

More information about these programs can be found on our website, www.nps.gov/isro/getinvolved/artist-in-residence.