Artist-in-Residence Program

YMCA of the Rockies Summer 2022 Artist-in-Residence Artists

Look for the Artist-in-Residence around property during the following times and locations:

Mondays – 4 PM at the Maude Jellison Library
Tuesdays – 1:30 PM at Day Camp
Wednesdays – 4 PM at the Mootz Family Craft  &  Design Center 
Thursdays – 7 PM performance and exhibit at the Kathie Mennel Amphitheater

June 12-25 Rich Herbst
Rich is a wood carver, perhaps most well-known for the sculptor of the big bear next to the Administration Building. A guest of over 38 years, Rich has been a fly fishing guide at Sasquatch, has a granddaughter working in the craft and design center, and a longtime support of YMCA of the Rockies. He will be demonstrating wood carving techniques that date back to the Renaissance, inspiring others to create their own art. His sculptures have been sold in exhibitions, art galleries, and throughout his home state of Kansas.

June 26-July 9 Elle Tyler
Elle Tyler is a pianist, songwriter, and educator residing in Erie, Colorado. She teaches piano lessons to students of all ages, works as an arts administrator for Parlando School of Musical Arts in Boulder, and writes musical theater and stand-alone songs. She has written an Easter cantata (Good News), a full-length musical about relationships and mental health (This Year), and is currently writing her second musical, an intergenerational fantasy musical (The Door), which she will be working on during her residency at the Y of the Rockies. She also performs as half of the duo Chansonniers, which performs music by women composers from Baroque to Broadway. Find her on Instagram at @ellegtyler @chansonniers.music @new_musical_project!

July 10-23 Rob Bergman
Rob Bergman is a portrait and landscape photographer from Austin, Texas. Ever since his father gave him a camera at the age of 10 he’s been obsessed with photography. While over the years his tools and equipment have improved, he is still captivated by scenes of visionary enchantment. Natural beauty is all around and Rob loves combining nature with family photography. Rob will host a workshop on landscape photography in Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as a astrophotography workshop at night. 

July 24-August 6 WindSync quartet
WindSync is an internationally acclaimed wind quintet featuring North American performers of the flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, and bassoon. Their joyful, energetic programs feature Beethoven, Broadway, the blues, and everything in between. Based in Houston, Texas, the group takes their inspiring performances outside of the concert hall to focus on collaboration, community building and educaitno.

August 7-13 Alex Thoele
Alex Thoele is a guitarist/sing/songwriter from Denver, Colorado. Alex has been perfecting his acoustic guitar abilities with bands such as Chain Station, and other bluegrass and acoustic groups from around Colorado and the Midwest. He teaches guitar and performs all over the United States.        

August 29-Sept 10 Kay Farrar
My artwork is contemporary Impressionism celebrating the beauty of nature and the joy of life. Creating works with vibrant color and energetic brushwork expresses my gratitude and awe of the amazing world around us. I love to share these expressions through paintings as well as through mentoring others on how to create their own works. Whether artists are beginners or advanced, in a group or one on one, sharing the gift of art with any age group has been a calling of mine that enriches my life; and I hope theirs.

Sept 11-23 Tammie Dickerson
An avid plein air artist, daily painter, Urban Sketcher and blogger, I am currently working in oils, inks and watercolors.  Completing a painting each day for over 9 years, I share my painting journey with others, by posting and blogging daily.  Each painting experience offers a unique chance to capture the essence of light and atmosphere of a particular moment in time, and to become one with the landscape.  It is my joy to share this passion with others, we are all artists in search of our special medium.

History of the Artist-in-Residence Program at YMCA of the Rockies 

The Camp Artist Program has existed at the YMCA of the Rockies since 1943, with our first artist, Al Wands, teaching summer art classes in exchange for a cabin. Wands, a plein air painter, shared his passion for painting with Y guests for many years.  The YMCA has a long tradition of hosting notable artists at the Estes Park center. Ruby C. McIntosh, whose work was inspired by Colorado artist Vance Kirkland, had a different approach to painting. An expressionist painter, Ruby McIntosh replaced Al Wands in 1959, and stayed at the Y as our summer artist until 1973. Most recently, our Y-Artist was muralist and plein air painter Susan K. Dailey. Susan Dailey’s murals appear throughout the Estes Park Center and can be seen in the historical Administration Building and the Lula W. Dorsey Museum. In addition, her murals can be seen adorning grain towers and buildings in agricultural towns such as Berthoud Colorado.

Using this program as inspiration, we recognize the value of having an artist on property. Financial support gives artists more freedom to create, and an opportunity to experience the Rockies in the summer. The YMCA benefits through an increased emphasis on art and culture, new experiences for guests, and programming hosted by high-quality artists and performers. It will also highlight our rich history in cultural programming, plus draw attention to our Craft and Design Center, Youth Programs, and outdoor amphitheaters.

Are you or someone you know interested in applying to be an artist-in-residence for summer 2023? Learn more here.