Mark Wilcox/Daily Mining Gazette Beaver Island, part of Isle Royale National Park. The park has announced the Artists in Residence for the 2026 cycle.

HOUGHTON – Isle Royale National Park announced the three artists chosen for the Summer 2026 Artist-in-residence programs.

The artists chosen for the Established Artist-in-Residence are:

• Ellie Anderson (Fiber, Chicago, Illinois)

• Amber Dietz (Photography, Detroit, Michigan)

• Katey Funderburgh (Poetry, Fairfax, Virginia)

In addition , five artists were selected as artist-in-residence alternates — Paul Atkinson (Photography, Raleigh, North Carolina), Rachel Black (Oil, Irving, Texas), Anangookwe Wolf (Mendota Heights, Minnesota), Luisa Barron (Writing, Marquette) Joe Blanchard & Maya Reter (Audio fiction, Chicago)

Five artists from three states were chosen for the Emerging Artist Experience:

• Sheila Babbitt (Photography, Grand Rapids, Michigan)

• Patty Durell (Writing, Troy, Michigan)

• Claire Foxworth (Gouache, North Hollywood, California,)

• Jaimie Krankel (Oil, Oxford, Michigan)

• Olivia Wieland (Drawing, Watertown, Wisconsin)

Five emerging artist alternates were chosen including Janel Crooks, a watercolor painter from Munising.

Two young artists were chosen for the Teen Artist Exploration. They are Kara Bolognino (Acrylic, Plymouth, Minnesota)

and Julia Thomas (Acrylic, Raymond, New Hampshire).

Among the five teen artist alternates was Meg Ruohonen of Atlantic Mine.

According to a press release, Isle Royale received 237 applications for the 2026 selection cycle. Artists in many mediums displayed professionalism, creativity, and a mix of traditional and modern art styles.

The Established Artist-in-Residence Program offers established writers, composers, and visual and performing artists the opportunity to become part of a long tradition of interpreting national parks through art during a two -three week residency.

The Teen Artist Exploration is geared for aspiring teen artists who want to develop their art through experiencing wilderness. It is open to all visual and performing artists, writers, and composers ages 13 to 18 at time of summer participation.

Emerging Artist Experience is a one-week, shared camping immersion for early-career artists who have begun to develop a focused creative practice but are not yet able to compete for the Established Artist-In-Residence opportunity.

These programs are co-sponsored by Isle Royale National Park and the Copper Country Community Arts Council. More information can be found at www.nps.gov/isro/getinvolved/artist-in-residence.htm.