BLM's 2015 White Mountains Artist-in-Residence

Late winter is a glorious time in interior Alaska, a welcome relief after the darkness and subzero temperatures of January and February. That’s when winter Artist-in- Residence Deb Horner works in the sunshine and warmer afternoon temperatures, interpreting the public lands of the agency’s White Mountains National Recreation Area north of Fairbanks.

Horner is a watercolorist who has long been active in the Fairbanks Watercolor Society. Her work has appeared in several exhibits and galleries in Fairbanks. In 2012, Horner participated in the first Coal Creek Camp art workshop hosted by the National Park Service in Yukon – Charley Rivers National Preserve.

After making numerous trips to the White Mountains with her dog team in the 1990s, Horner said she looks forward to visiting some of her favorite locations in the 1 million-acre recreation area.

"I'm excited to return to where I spent so much time and to see it through my artist's eyes," she said. "Educating people as to the value of this extraordinary area and its wide variety of uses is critical to its continued existence for future generations."

Since March 29, Deb has been working in the White Mountains at several rustic cabins. Her residency marks the second year of the White Mountains Artist-in- Residence program. 

Last year's artist, Sarah DeGennaro, can be seen in action in this time-lapse video she created as a snow flurry blew in:

The program is open to emerging or established artists working in nearly any media– including painting, printmaking, photography, writing, and music. The BLM provides transportation between Fairbanks and the selected site, as well as housing in a rustic cabin. Artists are expected to donate the use of a piece of artwork inspired by their residency to help promote the public lands.