NPS / Jacqui Abend 
Jacqui Abend Jacqueline Abend is an artist and art educator born and based in New Jersey. Working with a preference for abstraction and mixed media, she uses materials like ink, acrylic, and oil pastel to create colorful works of art. “For years, my practice involved stream of consciousness pieces, but as the preservation of our environment has become increasingly more important, I began to use my art to highlight nature. My process looks at the human intervention necessary in the preservation of the natural world, and to do this I often have the people involved in such work participate in the creative process with me.” Her work explores collaboration and interpersonal connection, and she frequently invites others to make art with her. Jacqui spent much of the time during her residency engaging with the local community within Great Basin. She set up shop in Rhodes Cabin next to the Lehman Caves Visitor Center, where she encouraged visitors and park staff to make art with her. She had a lot of fun getting to know the park’s rangers, and many of her resulting artworks were inspired by the time spent together or include elements the rangers had a direct hand in creating. She assisted with the Art in the Dark program during the Astronomy Festival and also hosted two workshops, one with the general public in Baker and one with the schoolchildren at Baker Elementary School. Jacqui currently lives and teaches in her community in New Jersey, where her art is regularly on display in downtown galleries and local shows. |
Last updated: February 23, 2025