Artist-in-Residence

Art Inspired by Nature

Open Period Information
The open period to apply for the Artist-in-Residence Program at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is during the month of June for fall residencies and the month of December for spring residencies. Below, you will find details about the application process, required documents, and submission instructions.

Artists and the U.S. National Park System

Artists have long played a vital role in shaping the National Park System. In the 1800s, visual artists like George Catlin and Albert Bierstadt highlighted the natural wonders of the American West, bringing attention to landscapes and indigenous peoples. Later, sculptors and designers left their mark on urban national parks, with iconic works like the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, designed by a then 21-year-old Maya Lin. Writers such as John Muir, Edward Abbey, and Nevada Barr have also left a lasting impact, sharing the beauty and significance of parks through poetic and non-fictional works.

Whiskeytown’s Artistic Heritage

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area has its own rich artistic heritage. In the late 1800s, Ada Camden, daughter of Charles and Philena Camden, sketched numerous scenes in what is now the Tower House Historic District. Later, after President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963, local residents funded the creation of the Kennedy Memorial, a bass relief sculpture located near the park's Visitor Center. More recently, in the aftermath of the devastating Carr Fire, Whiskeytown partnered with Art from the Ashes to help the community heal. Through the Seeds of Regrowth program, residents transformed burned objects from the fire into original works of art.

The Artist-in-Residence Program at Whiskeytown

Since the early 2000s, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area has hosted an Artist-in-Residence program. This program offers two primary goals: to deepen the connection between visitors and the park through art, and to provide diverse artists with meaningful experiences in a unique natural setting. We encourage artists from all backgrounds and disciplines to apply for residencies lasting two to three weeks, where you can camp, explore a 3,200-acre reservoir, and immerse yourself in Whiskeytown's rugged landscapes, waterfalls, and the ongoing recovery of the park after one of the most destructive fires in National Park System history.

How Whiskeytown's Artist-in-Residence Program Works

Campground Accommodations

Selected artists are invited to stay at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area for two to three weeks, with free camping provided at either the Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground (tent campground) or the Brandy Creek RV Campground. Both locations offer quiet, natural settings, perfect for artistic inspiration. Artists are responsible for providing their own meals and transportation to, from, and within the park. Residencies are scheduled for the spring and fall.

Volunteer Responsibilities and Program Requirements

During the residency, artists are considered park volunteers and, in exchange for free camping, are required to grant Whiskeytown the right to use digital images of at least one piece of their artwork for park interpretive and educational purposes. Additionally, each artist will host a public program, such as a talk or presentation, to share their experience and work created during their time in the park.

Stipend and Financial Support

After completing the program requirements, artists will receive a stipend funded by the Western National Parks Association (WNPA), Whiskeytown's bookstore and educational partner. While the goal is to provide each artist with a $2,000 stipend to assist with travel and meals, the actual stipend may be significantly lower depending on WNPA's annual contributions to the park.

About Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area spans 42,000 acres and features a large lake set within a mountain landscape. The park includes four waterfalls, a rugged gorge, and peaks rising over 6,000 feet. Over the past two decades, Whiskeytown has hosted artists from across the United States. The park believes that art fosters a deeper appreciation for place, and by building a collection of artworks – including digital files – through its Artist-in-Residence program, it hopes to inspire the public to further value and enjoy Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

How to Apply

We welcome artists working in various media, including poetry, literature, music, quilting, painting, photography, and more. Artists from across the United States are invited to apply for the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Artist-in-Residence program.

Selection Process

Artists are selected by a jury made up of several northern California professional artists and park partners. The call for artists and application process happens twice annually:

• December: Call for artists for spring residencies (April and May).
• June: Call for artists for fall residencies (September and October).

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit the following materials:

1. Artist Resume: Including your exhibition or performance record.
2. Statement of Intent: A brief description of your proposed project during your residency at Whiskeytown, your reason for wanting to participate, and why Whiskeytown interests you.
3. Work Samples: Provide three to five examples of your artistic work in the medium you plan to focus on during your residency.
4. Preferred Residency Dates: Indicate your preferred residency dates and include any special requests or needs.

Submitting Your Application

Please email your completed application to: scott_einberger@nps.gov.

For More Information

For any questions regarding Whiskeytown’s Artist-in-Residence program, visit the Artist-in-Residence Frequently Asked Questions webpage. You may also contact Scott Einberger, Supervisory Interpretive Park Ranger, at scott_einberger@nps.gov.

Whiskeytown Art

Explore the creative journeys of recent artists-in-residence and find inspiration in their work:

• Learn how Jesi Naomi (Wintu) spent her residency at Whiskeytown in October 2023.
• Learn how Tai Vugia spent his residency at Whiskeytown in November 2023.
• Learn how Carrie Katzenmeyer spent her residency at Whiskeytown in May 2023.
• Learn how Obi Kaufmann spent his residency at Whiskeytown in May 2023.
• Gain inspiration and enjoy viewing the works of art below. These pieces are from former artists-in-residences as well as current and former employees.

Inspiration Through Art

Gain inspiration and enjoy viewing the works of art below, created by former artists-in-residence as well as current and former Whiskeytown employees.