On Monday, June 15th, Rob and I head for Cheraw State Park where I am honored to be their Artist-in-Residence for 1 week. There were 65 applicants, of which 10 artists were chosen. 
The South Carolina State Park Service offers this program to painters, photographers, potters, sculptors, weavers and other artists that they may capture the natural and hisotorical resources of the parks. Applications are available from mid June and must be postmarked no later than October 31st. You can obtain information by calling 864-638-5353 or email; oconeestatepark-at-scprt-dot-com.
Last year, artists had 10 parks to choose from. While most were upstate, my top three picks (Cheraw, Givhans Ferry and Poinsett) offered the opportunity to further my current low country theme.
I’m especially excited that I was awarded Cheraw, as it is home to the rare Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Picoides borealis. I first saw them while studying to become a Master Naturalist. They are found in mature longleaf pine savannas and live in colonies. They will only nest in longleaf pines that are 60 plus years old, as the trees, at that age, are soft inside and make good nesting cavities. Consequently, the lack of longleaf pine, Pinus palustris, savannahs has really dwindled their population. You can click on the link to read more about these trees from an earlier post.
Cheraw is also home to cypress wetland. Another favorite. The trees remind me of dancing ladies with big hoop skirts 🙂 
The photographs are courtesy of Cheraw State Park’s website. Other links are below:
Trail Map for Cheraw State Park
Mountain Bike Trail
Cheraw State Park Map
I’ve been soooooo looking forward to this get-away! Gotta run, need to take my time packing my gear, as I surely don’t want to forget anything 🙂
Wonderful opportunity- can't wait to see what it inspires!!
Any interesting Frogs in with the Cypress hips? Tree frogs up here are singing nightly and the Fireflys have just appeared much to the joy of my 9 year old!
We are slight on rain this year but everything is wonderfully green!
Enjoy your week!
Hi Ken,
I hate when that happens! I've been on the 'thought I sent it' end too. Where do they go, these lost comments?
Anyway, thank you!!
Hi Pam,
Congratulations again on this! I posted a response a couple of days ago but it just seemed to disappear. I probably typed the word verification wrong or something like that:-)
In any case let me echo what others have said: Hope you have a great time and get a lot of work done! It sounds like a wonderful opportunity. And yes, I like the others, am envious!
Go Girl!
How swell that Rob can come with you. My Lewis has always joined me on my wild adventures. He is my greatest supporter and cheerleader. He also loves the same outdoor adventures I like. Cool after 38 years of marriage.
I hope you take photos and talk about what you pack and how you manage your supplies in this environment. Packing and figuring that out will be an interesting challenge.
Judy
Thank you, Lindsay and Judy! I've always wanted to do an artist-in-residency. I hear about the ones at the national parks out west and dream…..
I was thrilled to learn that SC offered residencies on a smaller scale. I've three months to produce a piece, from my time at the park, that will be donated to Cheraw.
I wonder where the trails will lead me……. Isn't the journey a wonderful thing? 🙂
Pam,
What an amazing opportunity. I have worked with the Tennessee Arts Commission for years on projects for many different Artists In Residence Programs. Over a 10-year period I received about 18 grants to fund artists to work with 1000s of students in the school system that I retired from 7 years ago.
During that time I coordinated these residencies for about 30 artists from all over the south: all kinds of arts including: visual arts, poetry, music, storytelling, photography and dance.
Your residency is very different in nature but I understand how competitive these kinds of opportunities are. Congratulations and Kudos. I am so proud for you. I can't wait to see your drawings with this kind of inspiration. I am also impressed that your state is supporting this kind of artist experience. Good for them!
Yeepee!
Judy
Oh you lucky, lucky woman. Congrats on getting this. You'll have lots of work to show and you'll be all by yourself…..I'm green!!!