Mackinac State Historic Parks is pleased to announce the artists selected for the eighth annual Mackinac Island Artist-in-Residence program, which is housed in the remodeled second floor of the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center, formerly the 1915 Mackinac Island Coast Guard Station.

The Mackinac State Historic Parks Artist-In-Residence Program is designed to promote and encourage the creation of artistic works inspired by the history, natural wonders, and beauty of Mackinac Island. The two-week residencies will begin in early June and continue through early October.

The selected artists will provide one public presentation (workshop, lecture, reading, demonstration, etc.) on the second Wednesday of their residency at 7:00 p.m. and contribute one piece of their work to Mackinac State Historic Parks within 12 months.

The residents for 2026 include: 

·        Miles Clark, Photographer, June 2-14, program June 10

·       Kate Veldman, Quilter, June 16-28, workshop June 24

·       Lucy Goebel, Mixed Media, June 30-July 12, workshop July 18

·       LeConte Dill, Poet, July 14-26, workshop July 22

·       Dylan Valade, Painter, July 28-August 9, workshop August 5

·       Emily Sabree, Painter, August 11-23, workshop August 19

·       Yolanda Gonzalez, Mosaics, August 25-September 6, workshop September 2

·        Lily Tobias, Poet, September 8-20, workshop September 16

·        Rebekah Burgess, Photographer, September 22-October 4, workshop Sep. 30

“Mackinac State Historic Parks looks forward to welcoming a very talented group of artists to Mackinac Island throughout the 2026 season,” said Mackinac State Historic Parks Director Steve Brisson. “We’re excited to see how each is inspired by Mackinac and how they share their creativity while on the island.”

A jury of representatives from Mackinac State Historic Parks and the Mackinac Island Community Foundation selected from a pool of 41 qualified applicants. Selections were made solely on the basis of merit and how the artist’s work can advance the program’s goal of encouraging the creation of artistic works inspired by the history, natural wonders, and beauty of Mackinac Island.

      Support for many Mackinac State Historic Parks programs comes from Mackinac Associates, friends preserving and sharing Mackinac’s heritage.