artist in residence: 2026 application period open now
We are excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for our 2026 Artist in residence.
The application window closes at midnight on Nov. 30.
ABOUT
This unique, yearlong residency offers an artist the opportunity to connect conservation with creativity by telling our story — the story of protecting open spaces, wildlife habitat, native plant refuge, and working lands. Your voice and perspective as an artist will deepen the ways our community connects with conservation and showcase the powerful role that art plays in advancing the Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust’s mission.
In exchange, we promote the artist via social media, events, and online and print products. You will also get access to the thousands of acres of private land that we protect as a way to inform and inspire your art. Our aim is that the partnership will benefit both parties, as well as greater Southeast Idaho and the people, wildlife, wildflowers, and native plants that call it home.
“The most interesting activity has been visiting and photographically documenting the land trust’s many conservation easements and properties, most of which would be difficult to access otherwise. Along the way, I have learned quite a bit about rural southeastern Idaho.” — Charles R. “Chuck” Peterson, 2023 Artist in Residence
DETAILS
Residency Term: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026
Residency Responsibilities
The artist will:
- Participate in site visits on monitoring days as often as possible, but at least three, in order to view the land and open spaces and create art. Monitoring begins in the spring and ends in early fall.
- Participate regularly in other events each year, but at least three, such as the Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair, the Bill Davidson Barbeque, the annual fundraiser (currently the Holiday Party), the Portneuf Pollinator Event, the Poky Paddle, art walks, and farmer’s markets.
- Grant the use, at no charge, of at least three select images for promotional and marketing purposes, such as social media posts, prints, merchandising, etc.
- Complete a body of work (at least three) to be exhibited at the annual fundraiser.
- Donate one piece of artwork to the annual fundraiser for the auction or raffle.
- Meet as needed, but at least quarterly, with SSLT’s community conservation coordinator to collaborate, discuss progress, and prepare for upcoming events.
- Learn about the land trust, our work, and be an advocate for and representative of us in the community.
- Optional: Stay engaged after your term ends by participating in Artist in Residence selection committees each year. We would also welcome any additional, continued engagement if interested.
Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust Responsibilities
The land trust will:
- Promote the artist through social media, at least quarterly, and more often if the artist has work / updates to showcase.
- Promote the artist on the website, via a dedicated page, throughout the residency.
- Promote the artist at events by showcasing work.
- Promote the artist in each of our bi-annual Open Spaces magazines.
- Promote the artist in email newsletters, at least quarterly.
- Provide the artist with access to protected, private lands when possible in order to inspire work.
APPLication information
The application window closes Nov. 30, 2025, at midnight. We will let applicants know whether they were selected by mid to late December.
Application Requirements:
Applicants must submit:
- Three examples of art (300 dpi, JPEG format, longest side no larger than 7”)
- Resume
- Completed online application form
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of SSLT staff, board members, and former Artists in Residence. Artists will be evaluated on the professionalism of submissions, availability and willingness to meet fellowship responsibilities, alignment with SSLT’s mission, artistic and community qualifications, and quality of the work samples.
Please reach out with any questions to carly@sagebrushlandtrust.org.
APPLY HERE
tO APPLY, FILL OUT THIS FORM: https://forms.gle/Se8pQKCT3LTearFu7
Meet our past artistS IN RESIDENCE
Parker Lloyd
January 2024 - December 2025
I am a botanist and botanical illustrator in Salt Lake City and the Horticulture Lead at Tracy Aviary and Botanical Gardens. I am from Oregon originally, and since moving to the Intermountain West have been enamored with the conservation efforts put forth by organizations like SSLT to preserve these wild and scenic landscapes. When I’m off the clock, I’m often scouring the desert for rocks, bugs, and unique plants. I love having the opportunity to teach people about endangered plants, how to cultivate water-wise and pollinator-friendly relationships with these environments, and highlight organisms that might not have otherwise been noticed. These efforts are the strongest when we can work together, and that’s why I am honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with SSLT and build up our stories of conservation together.
Charles "Chuck" R. Peterson
January - December 2023
I am a zoologist, specializing in amphibians and reptiles. I got into photography during high school to obtain photographs of amphibians and reptiles. Over the years I have photographed for a variety of reasons, but my main subjects have been animals and landscapes, often in support of my research as a professor at Idaho State University. After a trip to East Africa in 2008, I began to concentrate more on photography and started teaching a nature photography course at ISU. As an ecologist committed to the conservation of animals and their habitats, I support the mission of the Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust to “protect, connect, and enhance wildlife habitat, working lands, and community spaces in Southeast Idaho, now and for future generations.” I will provide photographs of SSLT properties and the plants and animals living there, document land trust activities, and help with fundraising. I hope the photographs will also help the residents of southeast Idaho appreciate the beautiful places where we live, work, recreate.
Examples of my nature photography can be seen on my Flickr photo sharing site: CLICK HERE
Sarah Jackson
January – December 2022
“Nature photography intrigues me by being able to capture the detail of the smallest of subjects and discovering new creatures I never knew existed! Capturing an image well is like a type of magic for me.
After becoming certified as a diver, and having a camera placed in my hand, I began the challenging journey of underwater photography using a manual camera and slide film. I learned from my mistakes and eventually participated in an underwater photography course which began my transition to become more serious about photography. My love for diving and photographing the underwater world were a great match.
My earthly photography took shape as I became an avid hiker. I enjoy taking photos of the smallest of subjects to the open landscape. Capturing Yellowstone’s Night Sky photography class sponsored by Yellowstone Forever in Yellowstone National Park furthered my repertoire as a photographer. The Idaho Master Naturalist (IMN) program through IDFG has opened other doors to photography for me. I have over 2,500 observations (photographs) on iNaturalist, a citizen science project with over 1,000 species identified.
Through my participation with the High Desert Chapter of the IMN, I joined Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust staff the past two years during conservation easement monitoring visits and shared my photos with SSLT. My hope is that by capturing images of the natural world and especially sharing these is a way to help others understand the importance of preserving our important landscapes for future generations. I hope to continue to convey some of this magic through my photography for the benefit of Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust.” – Sarah Jackson
Tim Norton
Nov 2020 - Dec 2021
“Drawing has been part of my life ever since I can remember. By the time I was in Junior High, I knew that art would become an even bigger part of my life and career. After graduating from Idaho State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a certificate in Secondary School Art, I went on to teach art at Shoshone-Bannock Senior High School for 17 years and then at Marsh Valley High School for 11 years.
Over the years, I have learned the art of many mediums – ceramic and oil painting being my favorites. It wasn’t until I began to paint on location, however, that I learned more about light and color, and the changes that occur in the fleeting moments of the sun’s arc. My studies and experience have helped me paint the mountains and natural inhabitants of Pocatello – where I have lived most of my life and the primary influence of my work.”
https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/tim-norton
Cindi Walton
June 2019 - Dec 2020
“I took my first art class when I was thirty years old. I walked into the local art store clutching my supply list with stars in my eyes. The owner, seeing I was a student, asked if he could help. I smiled and said, “Yes, as soon as I touch every single thing in this store.”
Since then, I have graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts from Boise State and have started a design business for a line of Christmas cards. My compositions and illustrations usually begin with a piece of charcoal or a good ole’ sharpened pencil, finishing off with watercolor, gouache, or acrylic. I also have some experience with digital mediums – I tend to use whatever medium the project or idea calls for.
In 2019, I became the Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust’s first ever Artist in Residence. That summer I spent countless hours hiking through the sagebrush steppe on conservation easement and fee-title properties, getting to know the landscape and all of its inhabitants. During my service, I became especially entranced with the birds of southeastern Idaho and have created a body of work featuring raptors and other birds who make this landscape their home.
I hope my artwork introduces these birds and the landscape to the community, and that they become as entranced and inspired by this vast land as I am.”
(208) 867-4629
https://www.facebook.com/waltonlasergraphics/
