Artist in Residence Program

The Denali Foundation, in collaboration with the Saraf Foundation, created an art and education center in Nepal called the Sagarmatha Next Facility & Sustainable Park. This center offers six-week, all-inclusive artist residencies in Nepal, inspiring artists and developing educational programs that mix art, adventure, and eco-friendly practices like waste upcycling. These programs will be used by resident artists to teach students from nearby Namche and Kumjung schools during their stay. Learn more about the facility.

 Our Most Recent Artist-in-Residence
Alexander Heaton

About Alexander Heaton’s Nepal Recycling Art Project

“One of the first phases of my project will be to work with local Sherpa people to make valuable art pieces out of waste tin cans. I plan to help them create pieces they can then sell to tourist trekkers and mountaineers. This will benefit the community in three ways.

• Removal and re-purposing of waste which would otherwise end up in pits in the valley, polluting the soil and many rivers of the Khumbu region. 

• Value created out valueless material through sales of up-cycled artworks which generates much needed revenue to help the local economy.

• Revenue generated through sales of these sculptures and paintings will support and grow the Sagarmatha Next project and facility, whose aim is to create a legacy of reduction, and eventually zero impact of pollution in the Everest region.

In addition to this I will be collaborating with local artists and children from the Edmund Hillary School to inspire and teach new ways to transform waste into things of beauty and worth.”

Past Artists-in-Residence

Emma Fern Curtis

Emma Fern Curtis, a classically trained artist, possesses a deep appreciation for travel and the natural world. She holds the conviction that intrinsic beauty in our surroundings often escapes our notice—a beauty defined by harmony and deliberate design. Emma's primary objective as a representational oil painter is to keenly observe and capture this essence of life, serving as a guide to help others discover and appreciate the often-overlooked beauty that surrounds us. MORE

Artist-in-Residence Committee

Emma Fern Curtis, former AIR
Floyd Elzinga, former AIR
Carolyn Elzinga
Tommy Gustaffson, Sagarmartha Next
Alexander Heaton, former AIR
Roshan Mishra, Himalayan Museum and Sustainable Park & Taragaon Next
Graydon Parrish, Denali Foundation Board of Directors
Angeline Tsenter, Denali Foundation Board of Directors
John Ordway, Denali Foundation Board of Directors

The Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Committee is made up of our partners in Nepal, two Denali Foundation board members, and all past participants in the AIR program.

Denali Foundation Artist-in-Residence Application Process

The Denali Foundation Artist in Residence Program at Sagarmatha Next in Namche Bazaar, Nepal is an incredible opportunity for visual artists who are passionate about sustainability, environmental conservation, and working with upcycled materials. This program is designed to provide artists with a unique cultural and environmental experience, while also allowing them to develop their artistic skills in a supportive and inspiring environment.

There are up to two residencies available each year. The residency is four weeks in duration, with one during the fall season between October 1 and November 30, and another during the spring season between April 1 and May 31. Dates within these ranges are flexible and meant to accommodate the artist’s schedule.

The Residency includes a grant intended to help with airfare and transportation and en route accommodations from Kathmandu to Sagarmatha Next. The trip from Kathmandu to Namche involves a flight to Lukla (elevation 9200’), a porter supported trek from Lukla to Namche (elevation 11,286’), and a return trip to Kathmandu. There will be at least a one or two day stay in Kathmandu upon arrival and at the conclusion of the residency.

This residency allows artists to fully immerse themselves in the culture and environment of Nepal, and to focus on their creative work without worrying about logistics.

Sagarmatha Next, the residency host, is a nonprofit organization that aims to promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in the Everest region. The organization has a strong focus on upcycling and sustainable materials, and the residency program is designed to support this mission. Accommodation at Sagarmatha Next is a private room in a shared space. A meal and services plan can be purchased from your hosts at Sagarmatha.

The Denali Foundation Artist in Residence Program at Sagarmatha Next in Namche Bazaar, Nepal provides a unique cultural and artistic experience while also supporting the important work of Sagarmatha Next and the Denali Foundation.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for the residency, please forward the following information to info@denalifoundation.org with the subject line: Artist in Residence

• CV

• Biography & Artist Statement

• We would like to see why the program and working with upcycled materials is of interest to you, and how it relates to your work, etc.

• Website/social media

• Portfolio: 5-10 photos (and descriptions)

• Proposal: Description of your plan (medium/subject/etc)

• Materials & tools you might require

• Your availability (Spring/Fall)

We will periodically review the applications received and you will be contacted by a member of our AIR committee on next steps.