Call for Artists: In a Time of Change "Coastal Transitions"

June 11, 2025

Cherissa Dukelow

Collaged artwork inspired by salmon. The piece features the circular pattern, or circuli, of the growth of a salmon scale, which resembles the rings of a tree. Copper wire suspends a curtain made of paper, accordion-folded, with a strip of illustrated swimming salmon weaving through windows cut in the paper. A piece of book board with a knob appears to be a control for opening and closing the folded-paper curtain. Assorted stones line the bottom of the image.
"Circuli" by Oralee Nudson
"Circuli" is a collaged artwork by Fairbanks artist Oralee Nudson. It features the tree ring-like pattern, or circuli, of a growing salmon scale. Nudson created this piece as a participant in the previous In a Time of Change art-science project, Boreal Echoes. Materials include paper, bookboard, waxed linen, magnets, LED lights, and Pochoir stenciling technique.

The program is accepting applications for artist residencies for a new art-science collaboration project inspired by coastal research and lifeways in the Gulf of ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ region.

The program, founded by the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research site at the University of ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ Fairbanks, bridges art and science to produce events and exhibits focused on social and ecological themes.

In β€œCoastal Transitions,” ITOC will collaborate with the ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ EPSCoR Interface of Change project, which focuses on the socio-ecological health of coastal communities and key marine harvest species within the Gulf of ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½β€™s glacially influenced coastal environments. 

For two years, artists will work with scientists and communities to investigate coastal dynamics, maritime livelihoods and social-ecological well-being in the region.

This art-science collaboration will culminate in a traveling exhibition.

The deadline to for artist residencies is Aug. 29, 2025.

The residencies include:

  •         A three-day retreat at the Center for ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½n Coastal Studies' Peterson Bay Field Station near ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½r, ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½, June 19-21, 2026.
  •         Participation in group exhibits touring from 2027 to 2029 in communities such as ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½r, Cordova, Haines, Juneau and Fairbanks, with potential for longer-term engagement.
  •         A $5,000 stipend ($2,500 per year), plus travel expenses for retreats and field experiences.
  •         Ongoing interactions with the interdisciplinary project team. This may involve field and/or lab experience with a natural or social science team, mentorship, professional development opportunities and dialogue about works in progress.

In a Time of Change is directed by UAF professor Mary Beth Leigh with researcher/evaluator Lissy Goralnik and curator/coordinator John Smelter. ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ EPSCoR is directed by UAF professor Brenda Konar.

More information can be found at .

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Mary Beth Leigh, mbleigh@alaska.edu; John Smelter, 907-474-5127, jpsmelter@alaska.edu