Artist in Residence Highlights 2014

TRACY ARM-FORD’S TERROR
TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST

KATHY HODGE | Oil Painter, Providence, RI

Kathy Hodge and friend painting the view

“I will have to return” is how my statement from my 2011 residency in the Chugach ended. Amazingly, I was given the opportunity in 2014 when I was chosen as artist-in-residence in the Tongass. I hoped being once again embedded into the environment of coastal Alaska would help me process it, and once again it overwhelmed me. Kayaking past whales, exploring coastline and woods with the expert Rangers, and time alone to sit, look, and paint in the warm grasses at the end of Ford’s Terror or perched on the cold rocks near rumbling Dawes Glacier were experiences I will never forget. They failed to quench the pull of the north however, and so I return to Alaska in summer of 2016 as AIR in Denali National Park. I am so grateful for these opportunities!”

Community extension: Two one person exhibits: DeBlois Gallery in Newport, RI and Bert Gallery in Providence, RI in October of 2015. During the shows she gave several talks on her experiences on the Tongass with an emphasis on the importance of preserving these important environments.

Artist's donation: Endicott Undercurrent", 20”x 24”, oil/linen.

Stewardship projects:

Helped monitor emissions for three cruise ships
Assisted rangers in setting up camp at Harbor Island
Visitor contacts with kayakers
Boarded a tour boat and gave a talk on the VOW program and engaged in several conversations with ships passengers about the program

For more on Kathy Hodge visit her at:
http://www.kathyhodge.com/paintings/tongass.shtml

Tracy Arm - Fords Terror Wilderness (PDF)

Tongass National Forest website

SOUTH BARANOF WILDERNESS AREA
TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST

RAY GEIER | Visual Artist, Boulder, CO

Ray Geier paints the beauty that is Alaska.

South Baranof Wilderness (PDF)

Tongass National Forest website

TEBENKOF BAY WILDERNESS
TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST

ROBIN PETERSON | acrylic/multi-media, Vaughn, WA

Robin Peterson in a Kayak "The experience of wilderness is a means for great personal enrichment. Sharing the adventure is valuable for processing and acknowledging the gift of opportunity, so I can't imagine a better program than Voices of the Wilderness. Petersburg RD personnel provided field essentials, means of travel and most importantly, shared their experience and knowledge of the Tebenkof Bay Wilderness with me. In return my job was simple, participate fully and produce a tangible artistic representation of the trip, but profound in the underlying mandate to interpret the reality of wilderness to others for whom it is only a concept. If art can point to what truly makes life worth living it may also help preserve the planet we too often take for granted."

Community Extension: In Gig Harbor, WA, Robin presented slideshows at two different art workshops, and a PowerPoint and discussion about the VOTW programs. Additionally, she gave presentations about the VOTW program at two solo art shows in Washington, featuring artwork inspired by her residency.

Artist's donation: 18” x 24” mixed media painting

Stewardship Projects:

Campsite monitoring and naturalization
Solitude monitoring
Invasive weed management
Evaluation of remote campsite use

For more on Robin Peterson visit her at:
https://www.facebook.com/PRobinPeterson/

Tebenkof Bay Wilderness and Kuiu Wilderness (PDF)

Tongass National Forest website

CAPE KRUSTENSTERN NATIONAL MONUMENT
WESTERN ARCTIC NATIONAL PARKLANDS

SUSAN WATKINS | Oil Painter, Eagle River, AK

"My adventure at Cape Krusentern took place August 3-12th beginning with an amazing flight out by float plane over the Western Arctic. I explored along with my guide ranger and wild life biologist, Marci Johnston, sometimes up to 15 mile hikes in this incredible landscape. Had lots of opportunity to paint this amazing environment on location, sometimes with musk oxen at close range. I witnessed herd dynamics, dramatic storms and fabulous sunsets, flocks of sand cranes and many other shore bird activities. I cannot describe fully the breathtaking beauty of this wild open space, the way the air smelled, the sounds, the vastness of space out there…The Arctic for me is a glimpse of an ancient land in its prehistoric remains, beach ridges and remnants of an indigenous peoples' way of life with recurring drama. It will always be in my heart as a treasured experience."

Susan Watkins in the Western Arctic National Parklands

Artist Donation: 30” x 42” painting in oil on canvas entitled “Arctic Challenge”

Community Extension:

Following her residency, Susan gave an outdoor plein aire workshop in Kotzebue, including a slide presentation and demonstration. Additionally, she also presented at the Eagle River Career Center and at the Anchorage Museum at the Voices of the Wilderness traveling exhibit opening, celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.

Stewardship Projects:

Trash pick up
Assisted in fish camp activities
Monitored muskoxen herd movement
Observed and noted polar bear tracking

For more information on Susan visit her at:
http://susanwatkinsfineart.com/about

NELLIE JUAN-COLLEGE FIORD WILDERNESS STUDY AREA
CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST

DEBBIE MILLER | Writer and Photographer, Fairbanks, AK

"I was honored to be the artist-in-residence for the Chugach National Forest during the summer of 2014. Guided by Tim and Barbara Lydon, wilderness stewards for the Forest Service, they introduced me to the magnificent world of the Nellie Juan College Fjord Wilderness Study Area.

We traveled by boat through breathtaking fjords that beckoned us to camp in the quiet shelter of the rainforest. In just a few steps from the tent, the spectacular Chugach Mountains rose above us, glaciers tumbling into the sea, the sounds of rushing streams and waterfalls, or the distant blow of a humpback whale. It was an inspiration to live in this this dynamic wilderness, to witness the creation of new landscapes, and to see the wildlife that flourishes in a place where mountains, forest, glaciers and sea are woven together —— a dramatic, living mosaic.

This is a rare coastal wilderness, a shining gem within our National Forest System."

Artist Donation Book: A Wild Promise: Prince William Sound (Forest Service was highlighted in this book)

Stewardship Projects:

Assisted with elodea (invasive plant) surveys
Trash pick up
Recreation site monitoring
Recreation site rehabilitation
Assisted with permit inspections
Collected invasive European Black Slugs
Solitude monitoring

Community Extension:

In 2018, Debbie Miller’s book “A Wild Promise: Prince William Sound” was released. Debbie, along with photographer Hugh Rose and their publisher, Braided River, hosted book release parties in Anchorage, Girdwood and Cordova, Alaska. She shared her stories of working with the Forest Service on a variety of stewardship projects in the wilderness study area.

For more information on Debbie visit her website: https://www.debbiemilleralaska.com/about

Exploring Prince William Sound (Chugach National Forest Website)

Nellie Juan–College Fiord Wilderness Study Area (PDF)