Carol Sletten, a Pinetop writer and illustrator, is the Petrified Forest’s September Artist-in-Residence.
“Artists and writers have always been inspired by the splendor of our national parks,” she said. “It’s humbling to think about them and how the park area’s earliest human inhabitants created myths and rock art powerful enough to stir our modern imaginations.”
The Petrified Forest National Park’s Artist-in-Residence Program was created in 2006. It brings artists to the park so they can share their inspirations, ideas and artwork with the public. Although the park has hosted a wide variety of incredibly talented artists from all over the world, Sletten was the first local artist to be selected from a large group of candidates. Kip Woolford, the program’s director, said, “We are looking forward to having Carol share her knowledge about the people and history of the area with the park’s visitors while she is creating some new work.”
Carol will be living and working in a historic building, and giving presentations and demonstrations at the Painted Desert Inn from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23. She has written and illustrated two books about the history of our area. Story of the American West-Legends of Arizona, was co-authored by her husband Eric Kramer. Three Strong Western Women is also a popular play. Her website is www.CarolSletten.com.
