Meet the Artists at Box of Bubbles Sunday, August 21 5-7pm
SALIDA, Colo.—The Salida Ranger District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands is hosting two artists for their annual Artist in Residence program. Selected artists Jocelyn Catterson of Del Norte, CO and Eden Hall of Salida will each receive accommodations at developed cabins on the district this summer. During this time, residency participants are asked to create art based on and inspired by experiences in the landscapes of the district, including the Saguache Mountain Range, Browns Canyon National Monument, the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Mountain Range, and the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness.
Catterson’s background is in environmental, place-based education. Her passion for education and the land is displayed through her pen and ink artwork, as she hopes to feature specific species based on relevant conservation issues during her time on the Salida Ranger District.
Hall’s approach to the residency involves connecting the widespread usage of the land and how many people who are touring through Salida may never see the impact. Through her art, she hopes to create a bridge between the tourist perspective of what she referred to as “‘postcard beauty’ and hard work on issues like trail erosion, fire mitigation, wildlife habitat, invasive species, and water management.”
The relationship between the land and the people is a primary focus for the forest service. Programs like this help spread the word about caring for the land in a different format.
“Art is an important part of how people communicate about the world,” said Salida District Ranger J. Perry Edwards. “Because public lands serve a wide variety of people, we hope the residency artists can help others view the forest in ways we haven’t thought of before. It also gives artists a whole new perspective on the National Forest.”
The Salida Ranger District is partnering with Box of Bubbles’ owner Ken Brandon to host an artist meet and greet for anyone interested in learning more at Box of Bubbles on Sunday, August 21 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MST.
For more information about the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, please visit fs.usda.gov/psicc or call the Salida Ranger District at (719) 539-3591.