Starting July 16, we welcome friend and artist Nancy McKay back to the Art Park for several weekends as an artist in residence.
First trained as an interpretive artist at Hot Springs National Park, and since serving as artist-in-residence at Grand Canyon National Park, Badlands National Park, and Acadia National Park, as well as last summer here at Michigan Legacy Art Park, Nancy is nationally recognized for her ability to engage others in producing and experiencing transformational art on the trail.
Nancy McKay is a marvelous artist in her own right. She works in silk painting—a medium that uniquely bonds dyes to the silk canvas, creating a depth of color reminiscent of the natural scenes that serve as her inspiration.
Colors of Time by Nancy McKay
Golden Overlook at Leonard Preserve by Nancy McKay
During her time at the Art Park, Nancy McKay offers her years of expertise in interpretive technique. With just a few minutes together with Nancy, you’ll learn to glean new meaning from the artwork in the park from a more personal point of view.
Anyone can drop into Nancy’s programs, stay for an hour, a few minutes or just say hello. She has guided many individuals in finding stories behind each artwork, landscape or natural phenomenon, and developing themes that explore universal concepts like joy, beauty, perseverance, hope and peace.
She is particularly excited to help visitors to the park make personal connections to their own sense of place when they consider the works in the park, and the beauty and complexity in the natural surroundings.
Artist Nancy McKay with some visitor creations from 2015 program “Good Intentions”
Interpretive tools like simple visual journaling techniques help adult guests discover new meaning from their own experiences and perspectives, while children can make those same connections through age-appropriate activities like “Meet a Tree.”
Programs like these are a wonderful introduction for first-time visitors to the Art Park, and a chance for those familiar with the park to discover it more deeply. With Nancy’s expertise at hand, all guests can navigate and appreciate Michigan Legacy Art Park.
To participate in these artist programs, drop-in to Discovery Grove, located ¼ mile inside the park following the main trail from the entrance. A trail map is provided at the park gate for convenience.
Artist in Residence Nancy McKay
Nancy McKay Interpretive Programs
Drop-In between 9:00am-Noon
Saturdays and Sundays
July 16 – August 7
You can also follow along with Nancy McKay’s time in the park on her blog Silk Road Wandering.
