Announcing 2026 Siskiyou Crest Artist in Residence: Cody Markelz
About the Residency
This Siskiyou Crest Artist in Residence Program hosts one artist, of any medium, for five days, each year at the spectacular and historic Acorn Woman Lookout on the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest. The artist has a chance to create art with endless views of the snow-capped Siskiyou Crest, with wildflowers in bloom, star-filled skies, beautiful sunsets, sunrises, and abundant bees, birds and butterflies.
We are looking for adventurous, nature-loving artists to experience the beauty of the Siskiyou Crest, produce art inspired by the region, and help us work to protect these spectacular wildlands. The lookout has vast, 360-degree views across the Siskiyou Crest region, the Red Buttes Wilderness Area and the Applegate River watershed. It is the perfect place to appreciate the region, make art inspired by nature, and take some time out of your busy life to enjoy the wildlands of the Siskiyou Crest!
Applications are now closed for the 2026 program. Please check back next fall for the 2027 program application information.
Accommodations at the Residency
The Acorn Woman Lookout is located up a steep gravel road (Forest Service Road 350) in the Siskiyou Mountains southwest of Medford, Oregon, approximately 19 miles from Ruch, Oregon. The access road is steep and winding and has tight switchbacks which may not be suitable for low-clearance vehicles or large trucks. Trailers will not make it. Parking is limited to two vehicles at all times.
The one-room lookout is 14 x 14 feet with very simple and somewhat primitive accommodations and offers a wilderness-like, glamping experience, incredible scenery, stunning views and colorful wildflowers.
The artist will be supplied with a sleeping cot, cooking supplies, water, lighting, a power source for charging cell phones and more. There is pretty good cell reception from the lookout, depending on your carrier.
There is a clean, pleasant wooden outhouse nestled in the shrubs just below the lookout.
Meet 2025 Artist-in Residence, Sarah Burns
Sarah F. Burns was the inaugural artist for the SCC AIR at Acorn Woman Lookout Program. In May 2025, she spent 5 days at the lookout with her husband and dog. Sarah is a plein air painter who grew up in Southern Oregon. During her time at the lookout Sarah made several oil sketches and one medium sized oil painting.
Sarah says, “My experience as artist-in-residence was profound. The extraordinary setting was deeply inspirational for me as an artist and as a human being. I made some paintings I am proud of, but even more I experienced the sky, the mountains, the wildflowers, the bees, the butterflies, the QUIET, in a way that reset my nervous system and reinforces the deep importance of nature in our lives. The Siskiyou Mountains hold a special place in my heart.”
