BLM, Friends group announce selection of local artist-in-residence
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks are pleased to announce the selection of Crystal Evans, a local Las Cruces artist, as this year’s artist-in-residence for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.
The local Artist-in-Residence Program is a partnership between the Friends and the BLM. The Friends provide the artist with a stipend while the BLM provides housing for the artist onsite at the Monument. In return, the artist is responsible for a creative community project, a public event (e.g., tour, demonstration, or workshop), and a complete art project that promotes the Monument.
During the month of September, Evans will travel throughout the 497,330-acre Monument, capturing images through her impressions on canvas as part of the tenth anniversary of Monument designation.
"I am ecstatic about being selected as the 2024 fall local artist-in-residence for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument,” Evans said. “I am looking forward to engaging with the community in developing a lasting artistic project to highlight the majesty of all aspects of the Monument.”
Evans plans to conduct a two-part workshop with the community to develop works of art collectively to produce a ‘zine’ that will not only highlight the Monument’s spectacular views but also serve as a keepsake memento focusing on the history and recreational opportunities found within the Monument.
“We are looking forward to viewing this unique ‘zine’ artistic concept Crystal Evans will capture of the many different views and opportunities the Monument has to offer,” said BLM Las Cruces District Manager Scott Cooke.
The Artist-in-Residence Program employs the artist’s unique skills to depict features of the Monument, helping generate a deeper understanding of its significant resource values.
The Monument was established on May 21, 2014, and contains some of the west’s most iconic landscapes in the Organ, Robledo, Sierra de las Uvas, Doña Ana, and Potrillo Mountains. The BLM Las Cruces District manages the Monument to maintain and enhance the resources for current and future generations.
For more information about the Artist-in-Residence Program, please contact the Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks at 575-323-1423 or info@organmtnfriends.org.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.