Mackinac State Historic Parks has announced the nine artists selected for the eighth annual Mackinac Island Artist-in-Residence program, a seasonal tradition that continues to blend art, history, and the natural beauty of the Island.

Housed on the remodeled second floor of the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center, formerly the 1915 Mackinac Island Coast Guard Station, the program invites artists to live and work on Mackinac Island for two weeks at a time. Each residency is designed to inspire new creative works shaped by the Island’s history, landscapes, and timeless character.

Residencies will run from early June through early October 2026. During their stay, each artist will host a public program on the second Wednesday of their residency at 7:00 p.m., offering the community a chance to engage directly through a workshop, lecture, reading, or demonstration. Within 12 months, each resident will also contribute a piece of their work to Mackinac State Historic Parks.

The 2026 Artist-in-Residence lineup includes:

• 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 September 30)

A jury composed of representatives from Mackinac State Historic Parks and the Mackinac Island Community Foundation selected this year’s residents from a pool of 41 qualified applicants. Selections were based solely on artistic merit and each applicant’s potential to create work that reflects and advances the program’s mission.

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

Support for many Mackinac State Historic Parks programs is provided by Mackinac Associates, the group dedicated to preserving and sharing Mackinac’s heritage.