Yellowstone by Jerry Fleury

Capturing images of Mesa Verde National Park that evoke a spirituality of landscape is the aim of visual artist and photographer Jerry Fleury, who is in residence from April 27 through May 10, 2015. On Thursday, May 7, Fleury will lead three free one-hour photography workshops for the public. "Moving from Automatic to Manual" will be offered at 10:00 a.m. and again at 2:00 p.m.; meet Fleury at the flagpole in front of the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum.  "Moving from Capturing to Creating" will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Far View Lodge Library located downstairs in the Lodge Registration building. No advance sign-up is necessary for these free drop-in programs.

During his two-week residency Fleury hopes to create images that, rather than duplicate the park's iconic features, are unique creative images to share with the park's visitors. Fleury says his project, "Mystical Mesa Verde," will manifest "the experience one can have in this very spiritual location when one is left alone to wonder, reflect and see the divine in all things."

Recently retired from senior management at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, Fleury has pursued the art of photography for the past ten years through workshops, seminars and self-directed study in such areas as art theory, photo essay and photojournalism, and photo techniques. He has completed field study and workshops in Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park and New Mexico's Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. In addition, he has studied with such noted professional photographers as Mary Ellen Mark, Mark Edward Harris and John Free.

A Southern California resident, Fleury is a member of the Torrance Artist Guild (TAG), the Redondo Beach Art Group and the South Bay Camera Club. He was awarded "Best in Photography" at TAG's 2014 Annual Artist Exhibit. His portfolio of work can be viewed on his website at www.imagesofthesoul.org.

Mesa Verde National Park's Artist in Residence program offers professional writers, composers, and visual and performing artists the opportunity to pursue their particular art form while being surrounded by the inspiring ancient architecture of the Ancestral Pueblo people and the sweeping natural landscape of the park. This year's Artists in Residence were selected from 45 applicants by a jury consisting of a Mesa Verde National Park ranger and three professional artists. Other 2015 Artists in Residence include musician/composer David Arkenstone, landscape quilter Susan Madden, saddle artisan and leather painter Lisa Skyhorse, and plein air artist Milt Beens. Learn more at www.nps.gov/meve/supportyourpark/artists_in_residence.htm

The AIR program is managed by the nonprofit Mesa Verde Museum Association (MVMA), the park's innovative educational partner that inspires life-long stewardship of the Mesa Verde region's cultural and natural heritage. Through MVMA's operation of park bookstores, free or low-cost seminars, workshops, and special programs, visitors of all ages gain a new, behind-the-scenes understanding of Mesa Verde. Proceeds from all association programs support Mesa Verde National Park. Learn more at www.mesaverde.org or by calling 970-529-4445.

Three-time Grammy® nominated composer/performer/multi-instrumentalist David Arkenstone will serve as Artist in Residence at Mesa Verde National Park from May 11 through May 24. This unique program invites five artists from various disciplines to participate in two-week residencies in the spring and fall each year. Arkenstone is the only composer/musician selected for 2015. As part of his residency Arkenstone will offer a free one-hour public concert on Thursday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m. at the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum Auditorium. No advance registration is required for this free concert. The museum exhibit areas and bookstore will remain open through the concert. Concert attendees are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy dinner (served after 5:00 p.m. at the Metate Room or Far View Terrace), or to bring your own picnic meal to the Chapin Mesa picnic area.

Mesa Verde National Park invites all local businesses to its Business Open House. This year the park will be partnering with the Dolores Public Lands Office. The Open House will be held on Friday, May 8, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., at the First National Bank building in Cortez.

The Business Open House will provide participants with information concerning park events, summer schedules, entrance fee information and park operations. The Dolores Public Lands Office will also share information about its upcoming programs and services.

Please help us spread the word that a full range of trip-planning services including tickets for ranger-guided cliff dwelling tours and bus tours are now available at the Colorado Welcome Center (CWC) at 928 East Main Street in Cortez! The CWC is currently open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be open daily for extended hours from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from May 22 through September 7.

Tickets are available now for Balcony House tours at Mesa Verde National Park. Tickets for Long House and Cliff Palace tours will also be available for purchase when these sites open for tours on May 22. Tours are $4.00 per person, per tour; purchase your tickets up to two days in advance at the CWC or at the park's Visitor and Research Center (VRC) located just off Highway 160 at the park entrance.

While at the CWC you can also reserve space on Aramark's "700 Years" four-hour bus tours of Mesa Verde National Park. In addition, the CWC offers a broad selection of information, maps and publications about the park as well as the many recreational opportunities and visitor services available throughout the Four Corners region. Knowledgeable local residents staff the CWC's Mesa Verde Park Store and the Welcome Center information desk. Cliff dwelling tour ticket sales have been sold at the CWC seasonally since 2010 as a convenience for visitors and local residents. The CWC also offers ample car, RV and bus parking and large, clean restrooms.