BLM welcomes Claire Giordano as 2022 Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Artist in Residence
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KANAB, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management is pleased to announce the arrival of environmental artist Claire Giordano to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument as the 2022 Artist-in-Residence, sponsored through a partnership between the Monument, Escalante Canyons Art Festival and Glen Canyon Conservancy.
“I am incredibly excited about this residency and the possibility of creating art that helps tell the story of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument,” said Claire Giordano. “As an environmental artist, writer, and educator, I follow the interwoven patterns of people, places, and climate change. Through visual art, writing and teaching, I strive to help others feel connected to our changing world because I believe that a personal connection to and awareness of what is happening are the foundation for stewardship and positive action.”
Each year, residency sponsors select one artist to live and work in and around Escalante, Utah, while serving as an ambassador for the Monument. This year’s ambassador was selected in the Spring and is scheduled to arrive in Escalante, Utah, today to begin her four-week residency.
“The purpose of the residency is to promote awareness through the arts,” said Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Artist-in-Residence Coordinator Allysia Angus. “Our goal is to provide our selected artist with special opportunities to really bond with the heart of the Monument and to express that connection in a way that helps all Americans gain a deeper appreciation for the stewardship of public lands. It allows uninterrupted time in a stimulating and rugged environment for an artist to pursue their work and share it with the public.”
The residency period will be scheduled for four weeks ending on Sept. 25 to coincide with the last weekend of the Escalante Canyons Festival. Giordano will be provided exhibit space at the festival, Sept. 23-24. Additional details are available at escalantecanyonsartfestival.org. Additional art by Giordano may be seen at https://www.claireswanderings.com/.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.