Utah BLM chooses first Canyon Country artist-in-residence, Pine Bones

Pine Bones is the first artist-in-residence for the Canyon Country District (Moab and Monticello field offices, which manages about 3.6 million acres). Photo: H. Walck.

MOAB, Utah —The Bureau of Land Management announced H. Walck, an artist under the name Pine Bones, as the first artist-in-residence for the Canyon Country District (the Moab and Monticello field offices, which manages about 3.6 million acres). The residency is sponsored by the Canyonlands Natural History Association and the Bureau of Land Management.

“I am driven to use my abilities to bring environmental protection, awareness, and conservation to the forefront of public discussions,” said BLM Canyon Country District artist-in-residence H. Walck. “During this residency, I will focus on the water’s role in the complex and unique Canyon Country ecosystem. I hope to see you out on the land.”

Walck is originally from the east coast. Since 2020, they live and travel in her van around southwestern Utah. She has a micro-studio in Moab. Walck is mainly a digital artist finding inspiration from the desert and travels. Their art portrays desert animals and creatures like bears, wolves, coyotes, hawks, and insects, as well as feathers, bones, trees, and flora.

“I spend so much time camping in my van that [I find] my inspiration from the environment around me,” Walck said. “Water is the loose subject and theme. I won’t know more until I get out there and I start looking. I’m not pre-planning any pieces. I’m going to let my experiences determine the pieces I create.”

 

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“Through this program, we hope to inspire and educate the public about the unique resources within the Canyon Country District,” said BLM Canyon Country District Artist-in-Residence Coordinator Shannon Calabro. “We are excited to work with Walck and believe the work during this residency will help promote stewardship and provide a new perspective of public lands.”

Walck has three weeks to explore BLM’s Canyon Country district, followed by four months to create art. She hopes to explore Westwater Canyon and the Book Cliffs.

“I’m doing some trail stewardship and talking about art and conservation at a couple of the trailheads this month,” said Walck. “The more popular ones like Grandstaff and Hunter where there is water, so it feels appropriate to be focusing there.”

Walck will be in Grandstaff Canyon at Morning Glory Arch on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., and at the Hunter Canyon Trailhead on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 11:30 am.-4 p.m. Any schedule changes will be posted on the BLM Canyon Country District Facebook.

The three-week residency will conclude with a public presentation or display, and details will be posted on the BLM Canyon Country District Facebook page once finalized. This is the first artist in residence to be hosted by the Moab Field Office and the Canyon Country District. To learn more about the program, visit the BLM Canyon Country District Artist in Residence website.