Red Rock Canyon to Host Second Season of Artist Residencies
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Las Vegas – Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area will display its second Artist-in-Residence program exhibition from August 1 through September 30. The show will feature new works and pieces for sale by Nevada photographer Sean Russell, Colorado artist Susan Thiele and Louisianan musician Michael Futreal, who each completed a two-week residency at Red Rock Canyon this spring.
An opening reception will be held at the Red Rock Canyon visitor center on August 8 from 3-5 p.m. All are welcome to view the artwork, learn about the Artist-in-Residence program and meet the artists, but a reminder that regular amenity/entrance fees will apply.
Susan Thiele, whose residency lasted from March 20 through April 10, facilitated a public sketching hike during her stay which had eight participants. This hike gave the participants the ability to express their inspiration and bring a new appreciation of the desert.
Michael Futreal, completed his residency from March 22 through April 4. Michael led two musical performances featuring self-made instruments, including bamboo flutes and electric mountain dulcimers. The first took five participants to a cave-like amphitheater in the sandstone hills to enjoy live meditative music. The second was at the Red Rock Canyon visitor center where more than 30 participants were able to enjoy the live music against the beautiful backdrop of the Calico Hills.
Sean Russell was the final artist to complete a residency at Red Rock Canyon this year. During his April 5 through April 25 residency, Sean led two hikes with 12 participants into a Red Rock area where hidden motion-activated, night-vision cameras were located. Together his participants viewed images of nocturnal animals collected in the field.
The artist-in-residence program promotes awareness through art of the exceptional places protected within the BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System. The program provides an opportunity for learning and dialogue about the value of preserving public lands.
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.