Now Accepting Applications: 2025 Artist in Residence Program

YMCA of the Rockies – Estes Park Center’s 2025 Artist in Residence Program is now accepting applications!
Painters, musicians, writers, poets, sculptors, photographers, playwrights, and more, are encouraged to apply. Programming must be family-friendly and align with YMCA of the Rockies mission and values. Applicants must be 18 years or older.

Artists are encouraged to use this time to develop their work and be inspired by the Rocky Mountain environment. Artists will be provided accommodation in a 3-bedroom cabin as well as a stipend. Please note: We receive hundreds of applications and give priority to artists who have a professional portfolio, resume, and social media following.

Sample Weekly Schedule:
Mondays: Casual “Pop Up” exhibit
Tuesdays: Workshop with Day Camp, ages 4th-8th grade. This should be a hands-on interactive experience.
Wednesdays: Casual “Pop-up” exhibit
Thursdays: Afternoon exhibit

About the Artist in Residence Program
The camp artist program at YMCA of the Rockies began in 1943, with the western landscape artist, Alfred Wands. Wands, a plein air painter, could be often seen around the camp and Estes Park with his easel and paints. While the camp artist, he also taught painting classes at the Y, and as an avid outdoors man, he also taught fly fishing. The Lula W. Dorsey Museum at the center, displays several of Wands paintings, and other examples can be found in the executive building’s conference room. Wands remained the camp artist until 1959, when he decided to open up his own gallery along High Drive in Estes Park.

Ruby McIntosh, the first female camp artist replaced Wands in 1959 and worked at the camp until 1973. McIntosh, though a plein air painter, described her style as “expressionism realism.” She painted what she saw and felt, rather than capturing what was actually there. She received her training at the University of Denver and worked with luminaries of the western art scene, such as Vance Kirkland, Frank Vavra, and Julio De Diego, and also Alfred Wands. McIntosh believed that everyone could create art, and she formalized the craft workshop during her time at the Y. She wanted everyone to find their personal connection to art, whether it be making jewelry, creating art from objects found in nature, or painting. There was a place for everyone in McIntosh’s classes. The museum also houses several pieces of by McIntosh.

Throughout the years, artists have used a variety of mediums and styles in the art program, including mural painting, which was the last style to be represented in the program that finally ended in 2019. The camp artist program ran for over 70 years and was reinstated in 2022.