Seven Artists Selected for Shenandoah National Park’s Residence Program
Shenandoah National Park has picked seven artists for its 2025 artist-in-residence program. This program lets artists spend time in the park while creating new artwork.
Each artist will stay in the park for three weeks. They will make an original piece of art about their experience and donate it to the park. The artists will also give talks to visitors about their work.
The program helps artists explore the park’s natural features and history in creative ways, writes Shenandoah Park Times. It is supported by donations to the Shenandoah National Park Trust.
Here are the artists coming to the park in 2025:
Kris Grenier (May 9-30) works with wool to create landscape art. She’s hiked nearly 10,000 miles in the backcountry, including the Appalachian Trail. During her stay, she’ll make wool portraits of wildflowers found in the park.
Michael Bidun (June 9-30) is a nature photographer from South Florida. He captures moments in nature that people often miss. In 2025, he received “Best in Photography” at the Pinecrest Gardens Art & Design Fair.
Nicki Allen (July 11-August 1) creates art with fabric, dyes, needle and thread. She started with traditional quilts but now uses modern techniques. Nature’s patterns and textures inspire her work.
Chelsie Ruiz Rivera (August 4-25) is an author who enjoys backpacking. She’ll offer nature writing workshops for visitors while working on a novel about the Appalachian Trail.
Dani Davis (September 12-October 3) combines printmaking with plant ecology. Through block printing, she explores the connections between humans and nature.
Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish (October 8-29) are musicians known as The Honey Dewdrops. This Virginia duo has been touring since 2009, creating folk music with vocal harmonies and a mix of instruments.
The program gives visitors a chance to see artists at work and learn how nature inspires creativity.
