Artist in Residence Program
Hermosa Magia: Sophia Schaffer
About the program
The Artist-in-Residence program at Hermosa Field Station provides an artist with dedicated time and space to create while immersed in the forests, wildlife, and landscapes of the Gila National Forest. The residency encourages artists to explore their relationship with place and ecology, drawing inspiration from the natural world and the community at Hermosa. Through this experience, artists have the opportunity to connect deeply with the landscape and share their work and perspective with others.
Be a Part of It. Help Support the Program.
We are committed to supporting artists whose work engages with place, ecology, and the living landscape surrounding Hermosa. To make this residency possible, we rely on community support. Your contribution directly provides housing and the uninterrupted time an artist needs to immerse themselves in the ecosystem and create work that uplifts underrepresented voices in the outdoor arts. Together, we can bring transformative creativity to Hermosa and ensure this opportunity remains accessible and meaningful.
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Summer 2026 Artist in Residence
Meet Crystal Evans, 2026 Artist-in-Residence
Crystal Evans is an undergraduate student at New Mexico State University studying art with a focus on ceramics. Outside of her studies, Crystal enjoys sharing her passion for art with youth through teaching and creative activities. During her residency at Hermosa, Crystal drew inspiration from the landscapes, plants, and natural details surrounding the field station and throughout the Gila National Forest. She spent time walking the forest and using her camera to capture specific details that later informed her paintings. Her work during the residency explored watercolor and cyanotypes, with found natural objects from the Hermosa property used in the cyanotype process. Through her time immersed in the landscape, Crystal explored new ways of observing and translating her connection to place through art.
Summer 2025 Artist in Residence
Meet Jayden Caroll, an recent graduate of North Greenville University in South Carolina with a degree in art and biology. During her time immersed in the magic of the Gila Forest, Jayden drew inspiration from the swallows darting through the sky, the bright prickly poppies, and the rhythm of the summer monsoon rains. Working primarily with acrylic on canvas, she translated the energy and textures of this landscape into vibrant, expressive pieces that reflect her deepening relationship with the natural world. View her work below.
Make it possible!
If you have any questions, please email info@natural-curiosity.org