Community Artist in the Parks Program

The scenery within the national parks in southeast Utah inspired the creation of the
Community Artist in the Parks program.

The program began in 2009 as a way to highlight the connection between local artists and the landscapes contained within the National Park Service’s Southeast Utah Group: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, and Natural Bridges National Monument.

The program gives visitors from across the globe an opportunity to see first-hand the results of artistic inspiration from wild nature. It provides local artists an ability to teach and demonstrate their medium and passion for creative expression.

Meet Annie Dalton, the 2024 Community Artist in the Parks

Annie Dalton was born in Moab but lived all around the southwest as a child. She studied Fine Art and Biochemistry in college, graduating with a BA from Arizona State. Annie strives to create art that encourages people to slow down, savor the moment, and reconnect with nature. Raised by an artist and miner/driller, her art and a love of this landscape and its elements are interwoven.

About her upcoming tenure as 2024 Community Artist in Parks, Annie says, “I’m so honored to serve as the Artist in the Parks! I can’t wait to see how this body of art shapes itself in the wild, and am looking forward to the connections I’ll get to make along the journey.”

Annie Dalton will create original work within the parks for a minimum of 24 hours per month, April through October, and share her inspiration and creative process with visitors. Her works will be sold in the Canyonlands Natural History Association bookstores at Arches and Canyonlands national parks during her tenure.