Centennial Artists in Residence offer instruction in night sky photography and nature journaling

News Release Date:
August 29, 2024

Contact: Jennifer Jones, (208) 340-7188

ARCO, Idaho - Craters of the Moon Centennial Artists-in-Residence are offering in-person instruction in night sky photography in conjunction with special events at the park in September as well as online instruction in nature journaling on demand to members of the public at no cost.

Evan Nelson, a photographer who currently lives in Idaho Falls, will demonstrate how to take night sky photographs in conjunction with Star Parties at Craters of the Moon in the Caves area on Friday, September 6 and Saturday, September 7 that begin with a ranger program at 8:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. After the ranger program concludes around 9:15 p.m., visitors will be able to learn about night sky photography as well as participate in telescope viewing. Advance registration is not required for these events.

Nelson will also offer instruction in night sky photography during the full moon at Craters of the Moon on Sunday, September 15 at 9:45 p.m. The number of participants is limited, and advance registration is required. For additional details and to reserve a spot, please call the Craters of the Moon Visitor Center at 208-527-1335.

Nelson's night sky photography demonstrations will focus on use of traditional camera equipment, as opposed to mobile devices. Participants should bring their camera gear.

Mary Arnold, a painter who currently lives in Boise, and Karen Jacobsen, a painter, muralist, and illustrator who currently lives in Sun Valley, have produced a video series titled "Nature Journaling on the Moon" to help people of all ages and artistic abilities learn how to capture outdoor experiences and feelings they evoke so that they can be remembered for years to come.

The eight videos in the series, all of which are under ten minutes long, discuss what a nature journal is, why individuals might want to keep a nature journal, and how to start a nature journal. They also highlight unique features of Craters of the Moon that individuals may want to include in nature journals, such as limber pines, geological features, and lichens. Arnold and Jacobsen emphasize that individuals do not have to be artists to keep nature journals, although artistic skills will likely improve over time through nature journaling, and that nature journals can include words, numbers, pictures, and maps and other documents in addition to drawings.

The "Nature Journaling on the Moon" video series can be accessed at any time on the Craters of the Moon website at go.nps.gov/CRMOair or You Tube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@cratersofthemoonnps5008/videos

Nelson, Arnold, and Jacobsen are three of five Artists-in-Residence selected to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of Craters of the Moon National Monument in 1924. The other two are April Felker, a painter, photographer, printmaker, and sculptor who currently lives in Twin Falls and Josh Olson, a watercolorist and printmaker who currently lives in Boise. Additional information about the Craters of the Moon Centennial Artists-in-Residence is available at go.nps.gov/CRMOair

Hosting Artists-in-Residence and providing opportunities for the public to engage with them are an important part of Craters of the Moon's Centennial celebrations as landscape art and photography played a vital role in generating public support to establish Craters of the Moon and other parks. Additional information about the Craters of the Moon Centennial is available at go.nps.gov/CRMO100

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