FA4JTREE

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CA

FA4JTREE artist residency was conceived by Romina Del Castillo and orchestrated with the help of Jeff Dulla. The idea was to bring a group of artist to a secluded campground, (graciously provided and facilitated by the Joshua Tree Arts Council and Joshua Tree National Park) to engage in the production of art in a natural setting, laying the groundwork for future art residencies, and protesting societal norms that demand traditional learning environments.
For a week, the artists lived in a process of creative synergy. The isolation of the campground, miles away from any city and other regular campgrounds, provided an environment conducive to productivity.
The residency began in September of 2016 with the equipment transportation and setting up of living areas as well as shaded common areas including a food preparing, kitchen and eating area, resting hammock dome, art-studio, and hand sanitizing stations. The week culminated in two pop up art shows in the park’s visitor and center as well as the 29 Palm Art Fair.
Throughout the week, participating artists took part in many educational opportunities such as open air painting, learning the principles of Leave No Trace, a guided tour of the Hidden Valley with the Joshua Tree National Park rescue team, a visit to desert artist Chuck Caplinger’s dome house and studio, and a full-moon plein air workshop with contemporary landscape artist Eric Merrell.
In December, 2016 the artists got together one more time at Midnight Gallery in Long Beach, CA to mount an exhibition that showcased the strong and diverse body of work they had created at and since the residency.

Participating Artists: Adrien Edwards, Alina Michelle Pritchett, Charles Banowetz, Ciana Lee, Courtney Heiser, Cynthia Luján, Elaine Kwak, Elizabeth Carranza, Gloria Elisa Margarita Sanchez, Jamie Villatoro, Jeff Dulla, Jenny Aguirre, Marlene Tafoya, Megan Kinney, Monica Andreina Martinez, Romina Del Castillo

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