Artists-in-Residence 2024

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Artists-in-Residence Program
June – August 2024

Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico, you will find Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (SAPU). Its three distinct sites offer a glimpse into a unique time in history, a time entrenched with cultural borrowing, conflict, and struggles. These sites continue to stand as reminders of the Spanish and Pueblo peoples’ early encounters and prompt exploration of today’s interactions among different people.

Artists in National Parks

Artists have been a part of national parks since the 1870s, when famed Hudson River painters played a vital role in documenting the majestic landscapes of the West. It was through their works of art that the public came to see these special places in America, places destined to become the first national parks. Today, visual artists document the landscape and cultural features of our parklands, following both traditional techniques and contemporary approaches that stir the imaginations and wanderlust of visitors from around the world.

What Artists-in-Residence Do

The AIR program at SAPU offers professional writers, composers, and visual and performing artists the opportunity to pursue their artistic discipline in the park’s inspiring and stimulating environment. The Artists-in-Residence Program benefits artists and the park. The primary purpose of the program is to give applicants an opportunity to live and practice their chosen discipline, following their own inspirations, in a national park. Artists, in return, agree to interact with the public and grant permission for the use and publication of their artwork (including on NPS websites) for the purposes of interpretation, exhibition, and education.

Writers, musicians, composers, sculptors, storytellers, dancers, and other performing artists draw inspiration from and focus the attention of new generations on our national treasures. Artists-in-Residence (AIR) use their talents to bring the sights and stories of the parks to life for the public. National Park Service (NPS) AIR programs have been providing unique interpretive programming since 1969.

AIR Program 2024 Theme: A Synapsid Roams Abo

In 2017, the “Salinas Fossil” was discovered at the Mission site of Abo. The “Salinas Fossil” is a Synapsid, specifically a varanopid eupelycosaur most like Varanops. A synapsid is a transition between an early mammal and a reptile. A varanopid is a large, early Permian predator that fed on smaller vertebrates and arthropods. It roamed the earth over 150 million years ago.

In January 2025, park staff anticipate the opening of the Synapsid Exhibition at the park. To enhance public interest in this discovery, the park plans to host several public presentations on the “Salinas Fossil.” As the theme for the 2024 AIR program, artists this year are focusing on developing artwork that directly illustrates the “Salinas Fossil.”

Introducing the 2024 Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Artists-in-Residence: Manzano Mountain Art Council - Young Arts Club

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is excited to be hosting the Manzano Mountain Art Council's (MMAC) Young Arts Club (YAC) as this year’s Artists-in-Residence! The park congratulates YAC members Ada Rosenfield, Cartrell Smith, Samaria Smith, Margarita Caldwell, Malakai Fulfer, and Adora Overholser and welcomes them to Salinas Pueblo Missions! SAPU looks forward to a great summer ahead working with this year’s artists-in-residence!

MMAC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to promoting art appreciation and programming in Mountainair and the surrounding Estancia Valley. Formed in 1995, MMAC’s programming seeks to inspire and nurture youth; foster creativity; celebrate the arts; encourage connections with nature, people, and cultural history; and create economic opportunities. YAC is one of several programs MMAC hosts as part of its Youth Art, Music, and Culture Outreach Project. YAC offers youth ages 10-24 a safe, comfortable community studio space to enjoy each other’s company, connect creatively, and learn a variety of culturally expressed and socially shared artistic techniques.

As the Youth Art, Music, and Culture Outreach Project program director, Karen Smith facilitates YAC and provides members with art supplies, materials, and direction during weekly workshops. As the group leader for the Artists-in-Residence cohort, Karen appreciates how this year’s SAPU Artists-in-Residence program offers “youth artists the opportunity to be incorporated into the program.” As the first Artists-in-Residence to be considered youth at SAPU, Karen shares that YAC members provide “a fresh and different perspective than older artists. This is going to be an incredible opportunity for the youth and for the [National] Park Service.”

Since June 14, Ada, Cartrell, Samaria, Margarita, Malakai, and Adora have been busy researching and learning about the “Salinas Fossil.” Each has begun to develop artwork in different mediums and is engaging with SAPU staff to seek more information about the “Salinas Fossil” and to share updates on their progress. The cohort will do a presentation to park staff halfway through the program to introduce SAPU to their research process, what they have learned, and to showcase draft pieces of their artwork. As a culmination of their residence, the cohort will do a final presentation to park staff on August 9. The artwork produced by YAC members during their AIR program will be displayed at the opening of the Synapsid Exhibition at Salinas Pueblo Missions (slated for January 2025; subject to change).

SAPU invites you to meet the 2024 Artists-in-Residence: Manzano Mountain Art Council - Young Arts Club!