The St. Croix Watershed Research Station in Marine on St. Croix is changing its focus this year for the Artist at Pine Needles residency program.

Only emerging artists and writers whose work explores the intersection of art, science and the natural world will be considered for this year’s residency program, which runs from May through October. Established artists are not eligible.

“This temporary focus reflects a strategic investment in early-career artists, providing them with time, resources and direct engagement with scientists to advance their creative work rooted in art-science inquiry,” said Alaina Fedie, senior operations manager for the St. Croix Watershed Research Station.

Applicants, who must be 21 or older, must have fewer than six years of exhibit and/or publication history in their medium, demonstrate clear artistic achievement in their work, and not be widely recognized as established artists by other artists, curators, critics or arts administrators, according to the application form.

Since 2002, more than 80 artists and writers have been offered residencies in the Pine Needles cabin, which was previously owned by James Taylor Dunn, a noted historian of the St. Croix River Valley. Dunn wanted the property to be used as a scholarly and artistic retreat.

A scientific illustrator, a mapmaker and a storyteller were among the artists selected last summer.

The selected artists must design and lead a community outreach project, such as a workshop, lecture or demonstration, and donate an original piece inspired by their residency experience to the St. Croix Watershed Research Station within one year of their residency.

Each artist will receive a stipend of $650/week while in residency and up to $600 in additional travel support.

Application packets are available from the research station, which is a department of the Science Museum of Minnesota, or at https://smm.org/scwrs/pine-needles/. The deadline is Feb. 22; decisions will be announced by March 31.

For more information, contact Alaina Fedie at 651-433-5953, staff ext. 12, or researchstation@smm.org.

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