Meet the 2012 artists

During the summer of 2012, seven different wilderness areas across Alaska hosted artists.  Included were five Wilderness areas on the Tongass National Forest, one Wilderness Study Area on the Chugach National Forest, and our first National Park: Western Arctic National Parklands.

Misty Fiords National Monument

Diana Woodcock (Qatar, writer) was a volunteer artist for ten days in Misty Fiords National Monument on the Tongass National Forest.

  

While in the field, Diana helped monitor visitor use on three subalpine lakes and trails and assisted with campsite monitoring and developed site maintenance.  She also helped set up sound monitoring equipment.

Petersburg Duncan Salt Chuck Wilderness, Tongass NF

Janet Davis (Brookield,CT photographer) was a volunteer artist for ten days on the  Petersburg Ranger District. 

Janet peeling a log for a bridge stringer in preparation for a foot bridge

During her time in the field, Janet pulled invasive plants at two sites at Petersburg Lake, photo documented the wilderness trail construction project, created a photo log of the 1/2 mile of trail conditions before and after project and assisted wilderness trail crew on a construction project.

Western Arctic National Parkands

MK MacNaugton (Juneau, AK, painter) was a volunteer artist for seven days in the Noatak National Preserve, Western Arctic National Parkands.

MK helped monitor backcountry airstrips for any activity in order to assist the Wildlife Protection Officers.

West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness, Tongass National Forest

Francis Vallejo (Austin, TX graphic artist, painter) spent five days on the Tongass National Forest, Ford Arm, West Chicagof-Yakobi Wilderness Area.

 Francis accompanied a Sitka Ranger District Wilderness Ranger and intern, assisting with important fieldwork that included monitoring twelve campsites that included documenting use of new and existing sites and naturalizing fire rings.  He helped remove an illegal structure (demolition, burning, and site naturalization) and helped maintain encounter data for wilderness character monitoring.  In addition, he helped maintain a bird and mammal species list for District biologist.

SOUTH BARANOF WILDERNESS AREA

Nina Khaschina (Palo Alto, CA – watercolor illustrator) - volunteer artist for five days in Necker Bay, South Baranof Wilderness

Nina assisted with important fieldwork that included monitoring campsites, helping to maintain encounter data for wilderness character monitoring, and helping to monitor Benzeman Lake sockeye run for SRD Subsistence biologist. 

SOUTH BARANOF WILDERNESS AREA

Kaylyn Messer (Seattle, WA – videographer/phtographer) - volunteer artist for five days in Necker Bay, South Baranof Wilderness

Kaylyn accompanied the SRD Wilderness Ranger, SRD support staff and another VOTW artist. As a former sea kayak guide, Kaylyn also provided invaluable technical expertise assisting with paddling and camping training and execution while serving as an important additional safety boat in at times exposed waters. Kaylyn also assisted with important fieldwork that included monitoring campsites, helping to maintain encounter data for wilderness character monitoring, and helping to monitor Benzeman Lake sockeye run for SRD Subsistence biologist. 

NELLIE JUAN-COLLEGE FIORD WILDERNESS STUDY AREA 

Susan Watkins (Eagle River, AK oil painter) was a volunteer artist for seven days on the Chugach National Forest.

Susan visited 3 different campsites known to have invasive weeds and helped pull dandelions at 2 of the locations.  She also helped pick up trash, monitored campsite conditions in Harriman Fiord, participated in visitor contacts, provided education to a group of  Alaska Geographic students who were helping the Forest Service with service projects and looked for lichens for air quality monitoring.

TRACY ARM-FORD'S TERROR WILDERNESS

Irene Owsley (Potomac, MD, photographer) was a volunteer artist for nine days in Tracy Arm-Ford's Terror,  Tongass National Forest.

While in the field, Irene boarded two ships with a ranger to provide wilderness education.    She spent a large part of her field trip documenting the work of the rangers to contribute images for their image library. 

Jason Elvrom (Los Angeles, CA, painter) was a volunteer artist for nine days in Tracy Arm-Ford's Terror, Tongass National Forest.

While in the field working with another ranger, Jason maintained an encounters form to monitor "Outstanding Opportunities for Solitude." He also boarded two cruise ships in Tracy Arm to provide wilderness education to passengers, rode along on a cruise ship emissions test in Tracy Arm and cleaned up trash.