Artists named for 2024 North Dakota state parks residency program

May 19—BISMARCK — The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, along with the North Dakota Council on the Arts, have announced the selection of three artists for the 2024 Artist in Residency Program. This program aims to support North Dakota artists in creating art inspired by the beauty of the state parks.

The Artist in Residency Program is a partnership between the two agencies, in which artists are selected to spend seven or 10 days in a North Dakota state park. The residency also provides opportunities for visitors to develop artistic skills and a deeper appreciation of the park-inspired artwork based on their experience in the parks. This round of the residency program received 16 applications.

The following artists were selected to complete their residencies in these state parks:

* Painter Lynae Hanson of Bismarck — Turtle River State Park, Aug. 12-19, 2024.

* Sculptor/painter Kim Eslinger of Bismarck — Fort Stevenson State Park, Oct. 10-20, 2024.

* Painter Korina Spratta of Hettinger — Cross Ranch State Park, Feb. 10-17, 2025.

"This year's Artist in Residency Program drew a remarkable pool of applicants," Cody Schulz, director of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, said in a statement. "We're excited to see how the creativity, talent and thoughtful workshop concepts will continue to ignite a passion for art among our park visitors."

Each artist will offer two presentations or thematic workshops during the weekend of their residency; the public is invited and encouraged to attend these activities.

These offerings will showcase artwork inspired by the state parks and will provide various opportunities for park visitors of all ages and skill levels to discover or further develop their artistic skills.

"We are excited to witness the creativity that will emerge from this ongoing partnership between North Dakota Parks and Recreation and North Dakota Council on the Arts," said Jess Christy, Council on the Arts executive director. "It is our hope that the interaction between the artists and visitors will result in an enriching experience for all who venture into these state parks."

Details surrounding these opportunities at Turtle River State Park, Fort Stevenson State Park and Cross Ranch State Park will be posted on their respective Facebook pages via event listings as soon as they become available.

Artwork generated from the program portrays North Dakota's beauty through the eyes and ears of contributing artists to enrich generations of park visitors. The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department has highlighted several artists' work with video interviews which can be viewed at

https://www.parkrec.nd.gov/art-parks

.

The Artist in Residency program is supported in part by a grant from North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state Legislature and the National Endowment

for the Arts. These events within the state parks are free of charge; however, normal daily park vehicle entrance fees apply or an annual state park pass is required.