photo by NPS | N.Lewis
For over a decade, the Shenandoah National Park Trust has championed the Artists-in-Residence program — and 2026 marks an exciting 14th year of that commitment.
The program is part of a National Park Service tradition: inviting artists into protected lands so their work can deepen public connection to these places. The art that emerges doesn’t just beautify walls and galleries — it moves people to visit, explore, and become stewards of the landscapes that inspired it.
Meet the artists selected for Shenandoah’s 2026 cohort:
Magan Ruthke – May 4 to May 25
My work takes traditional pattern into a more modern context while incorporating
contrasting, organic shapes in negative fields. Using mostly gouache, acrylic, pencil, and
ink, the color conflicts draw you in while the detailed drawing and negative space cause the
viewer to remain and consider the piece further. Every pattern and picture tells a story,
plucked from my memory, each story developing as the piece is created. Folk art patterns
that represent trees, mountains, water, plants, and earth fold around illustrations that
come from pivotal moments in my life and connect to my training as a Maryland Master
Naturalist. My work shares elements of my story, but are also the stories of everyone that
came before me.
Alex Gerasev – June 2 to June 23
Alex Gerasev is an illustrator, painter, printmaker and muralist known for his bold lines,
exquisite craftsmanship and intriguing imagery. His work invites the viewer into a world
both beautiful and strange, where the drama of everyday life plays out among flying dogs
and stranded ships, while inquisitive creatures dot ethereal landscapes. Alex’s work is
exhibited internationally and is held in private and public collections throughout the US and
Europe, including Boston Public Library, Boston Athenæum, Columbia University, Iraq
National Library and Archive, New England Biolabs, St. Mark’s School, The Pushkin
Museum, and Deutsche Immobilien Fonds AG. His mural depicting past, present and
hoped-for future in Revere, MA can be seen on Shirley Ave, across from the Revere Beach T
station. Alex grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia and studied at the Repin Academy of Fine
Arts. He teaches illustration at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
Matt Stock – June 29 to July 20
Matt’s area of expertise is a specific technique of night photography referred to as “painting
with light.” While creating his photographs, he collaborates with a team of lighting
assistants to meticulously illuminate scenes, capturing hundreds of exposures over several
hours. His image production involves utilizing a diverse range of lighting tools, from
specialized photographic equipment to the natural illumination of the Milky Way and the
full moon. The author Leigh Ann Henion wrote, “In Appalachia, …night offers a chance to
explore a parallel universe that we can readily access, to varying degrees.” Matt has spent
his career as an artist and educator exploring this parallel universe as a Dark Sky advocate
to demystify the nighttime and encourage everyone to step into nature when the night rises
to experience and understand the world in a new light.
At Shenandoah National Park, Matt seeks to explore the “Displacement Story” after sunset,
where haunting stone chimneys and foundation stones represent a human footprint being
reclaimed by nature. He is committed to the idea of creating art that resonates with the
park’s legacy and inspires future generations by aligning himself with the historic role of
artists as advocates within the National Parks.
A recipient of the Knight Arts Challenge Grant and an MFA graduate of the Savannah
College of Art and Design, Matt has previously served as the Artist-in-Residence for Great
Smoky Mountains National Park (2025) and Biscayne National Park (2012). When he isn’t
exploring forests, mountains, and wetlands at night, he serves as the Visual Arts
Department Chair at Ransom Everglades School in Miami, Florida.
Nyssa Collins – July 25 to August 15
I am a puppeteer, animator, and sculptor based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Using paper silhouettes and hand built puppets, I create stories about the mystical experience of life on earth. My stories begin at the edge of human’s ability to fully see the world because of our limitations of being human.
For instance, our short lifespans mean that we have a hard time fathoming the incredible changes that our continent has undergone over the last hundreds of millions of years; Our limited eyesight means we can’t see fluorescent patterns on flowers like butterflies can, or see a mouse in sharp focus from 100 feet like a hawk; And our inability to be in more than one place at a time means we cannot see all the interacting parts of a complex food web or animal population. Animated stories are another tool – like telescopes, or satellite images, or folktales – that help us see ourselves more clearly, and understand our world in a more rich way.
The Honey Dewdrops – September 8 to September 29
Virginia natives, Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish of The Honey Dewdrops, began touring
in 2009. With thousands of miles and performances under their belts, along with 8 full-
length albums, the Dewdrops have long showcased the dynamism of two voices and two
instruments. Laura and Kagey constantly push the boundaries of their experimental folk
sound—blending electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin and clawhammer banjo—while
weaving in tight vocal harmonies. They remain committed to deepening their
understanding of the world through songwriting and music.
“The Honey Dewdrops have a way of filling their songs with humanity, using their beautiful
playing and harmonies to emphasize what connects us all.” – No Depression
Rebecca Shewmaker – October 6 to October 27
https://www.rebeccashewmaker.com
For my work, which I call “threadpainting,” I create landscape images using needle and
thread rather than paint and brush. The process begins with dyeing cotton fabric for sky
and land, followed by many hours of sewing straight and zigzag stitches. Threads are
changed frequently to add color and texture, with hand embroidery providing final details. I
enjoy the slow, repetitive stitching in my pieces. Artist residencies and visits to national
parks are the catalysts for my artistic process. I cannot create new work without
experiencing a place in person; for each piece, I spend hours photographing, sketching,
and simply being in the environment. Using these references, I create landscapes out of
thread and fabric. I produce only a few pieces per month, as each requires extensive
stitching. My creative process reflects the time and changes experienced in the places I
depict. Natural beauty is the inspiration and subject of my work. Conveying the sense of awe and serenity I experience in nature fuels my many hours of sewing.
For more information on the 2026 Artist-in-Residence public programming schedule, click here!