The inaugural 2024 Artist Residency was an amazing success! The Artists in Residence presented their completed works at the annual Fall Fundraiser on October 3rd and were present to discuss their experiences with attendees. It was a joy to see the amazing art that was inspired by CWC preserves and we hope it encourages other local artists to apply for this unique experience in 2025.

Kate Brown

“My experience with the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy this summer has made a lasting impression on my work. Typically, I like to explore themes of memory. I like to ask myself why remembering things is so important to humans. I thought of moss, and the way it holds onto footsteps for a few moments after they’re gone. I’m grateful for the extra time I was able to spend in the wilderness this summer, during my time in residency. It started with getting lost at the Williams Blackburn Preserve, and ended with the discovery of vast carpets of moss at Hall’s Lake Natural Area as depicted in my paintings here.”

Natalie Smith

“When I first started this piece I was overwhelmed with it all, knowing where I wanted it to go but having no idea how to get there. I come from drawing houses and architecture, nothing remotely nature related. But the more I drew the more I could see everything falling into place. The bark on the trees, the leaves and all the depth they provide, even all the little branches carved into the paper. Yes, this was a long process with moments of doubt, but in the end everything worked out and I believe I’ve made a piece that I can be proud of. These trees can be found deep in the woods of Millpond Natural Area, off the path and then some.”

Rachel Davis Smith

“In the nature studies I created during my residency, I want to highlight the relationship between local plant life and the water that makes it possible, whether that be in the form of rivers, lakes, or simply the ambient moisture of a mossy forest floor. By challenging myself to render these scenes in a way that felt accurate to the complexity of the environment around me, I feel like I grew as an artist. Overall, my residency with the CWC was a great opportunity to spend more time thoughtfully observing our local landscape.”