Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is delighted to be co-hosting a reception for the two artists in this year’s Medford District BLM Artist-in-Residence: Nisty Tharp and Leslie Hauer.

Nisty Tharp is from Salt Lake City, Utah and will be in residence from June 19 to July 3. Nisty creates drawings and paintings using primarily acrylic paint, paint pens, watercolor pencils or sharpies. Growing up in Colorado and living in Utah, Nisty is always inspired to create artwork that reflects the stories and beauty of the landscape around her. Other themes in her artwork often include animals, portraits, and mental health. Nisty has been an art teacher in public education for many years where she has taught both high school and elementary art. Currently located in Salt Lake City, UT, Nisty creates commissioned art pieces, stickers, and prints for her friends, family, and the wider community around her.

Leslie Ann Hauer lives and works in the semi-arid east side of Washington State and will be in residency from June 23 to July 2. She painted in watercolor in the 1980’s and recently returned to painting after career and family, and a journey through a variety of artistic pursuits including ceramics and fiber arts. While she has no formal art training, she is an avid student of art and artists. Currently she works primarily in oils and takes special delight in painting en plein air. Leslie has had paintings accepted in juried shows around the country and received awards for her work.

At the reception, Nisty and Leslie will showcase some of their art and give us a presentation on how their Artist-in-Residence experience has been thus far.

Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is a nonprofit organization, and our mission is to support the protection, restoration and conservation of the monument through service, advocacy and education.