Pictured is Warren Bensken’s postcard from his time as the winter artist-in-residence at the Allegheny National Forest.

This marks the first year the Allegheny National Forest has hosted an artist-in-residence program and its success so far has staff looking to bring it back in 2024

“The response to the program, both from artists and the public, has been wonderful,” said Kate Fenstermacher, ANF artist-in-residence coordinator. “We are currently discussing a continuation of the program into 2024.”

While the program is new to the ANF, it’s a widespread practice for public lands nationwide.

“There are programs like this across the country on many different public lands,” Fenstermacher noted. “The National Parks Service has over 50 programs; the U.S. Forest Service has several as well, including a long-standing program in Region 10: Alaska’s national forests.”

According to Fenstermacher, the program has larger goals than just giving artists a chance to capture the forest in their chosen medium.

“In essence, this program is meant to create a deeper connection between the public and the Allegheny National Forest, through art,” she said. “Artists have long been advocates for natural spaces. They have influenced and continue to affect how the public perceives and cares for the natural world. You can see this relationship over and over again. Art also has a direct connection to the beginnings of public lands. In 1871 painter Thomas Moran, photographer William Henry Jackson, and land surveyor Henry Wood Elliott accompanied Ferdinand Hayden’s Yellowstone expedition documenting the vast western landscape. Hayden used Moran’s paintings, Jackson’s photography, and Elliott’s sketches to convince congress to set aside Yellowstone as a public park thus creating our nation’s first national park.”

Fenstermacher provided some insight into how the program works.

“Here on the ANF, it begins with a call to artists. We receive applications, review and select the top applicants,” she said, noting the pool of applicants was impressive. “The program runs for approximately two weeks. During that time, the artist is provided with housing and is reimbursed a set sum to help offset any costs they may incur. They are also able to connect with forest service staff and join them on field days. The artist is free to work and create art during their stay and encouraged to explore the forest as much as possible.”

She said, for their part, artists are expected to put on a public program and donate a piece of artwork inspired by their residency.

“I’m honored to be able to work with these artists and to connect over our shared appreciation for public lands and nature.,” she added.

The artists involved have expressed their appreciation of the program as well.

“Living and working on the forest was one of the highlights of my professional career,” winter artist-in-residence Warren Bensken said “It was a privilege to be gifted the time and space to immerse myself in a place and make meaningful work. I hope to have a lifelong relationship with the Allegheny and those who call it home.”

“One of my passions is plein air painting,” summer artist-in-residence Paul Seymour said, explaining plein air refers to on-location painting as opposed to studio work. “So the combination of my love of painting and my love of the outdoors made this residency a great fir for me. What it’s given me essentially is two weeks living remotely doing nothing but painting. It’s a great program and Kate has done a wonderful job.”

The program’s inaugural year coincides with the ANF’s centennial – a synchrony not lost on Fenstermacher.

“This year is the 100th anniversary of the Allegheny National Forest. When an important event like this one comes around, I think it’s only natural that we reflect on the past and look to the future. This landscape has changed dramatically in the past 100 years; how do we want the future stewards of this land to remember it? Using art to help document our forest helps to expand our ideas, feelings, and conversations around why public lands are so important,” she said. “We’re very excited to be piloting this program during our centennial commemoration!”

Artists interested in participating in the program can visit www.fs.usda.gov/detail/allegheny/workingtogether/volunteering/?cid=fseprd1063563 for more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply. Additional questions may be directed to katherine.bowley@usda.gov.

“I’d love to hear from anyone interested in the program and please feel free to reach out with any questions,” she said.