News – Sheridan Media
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On April 6, Ucross, the acclaimed residency program, Ucross Foundation, announced that it will host its fifth annual Founder’s Day celebration on Saturday, May 30, starting at 11 a.m.
The community is invited to explore the artist residency grounds on Ucross’s 20,000 – acre ranch , visit the artists in their studios, enjoy a picnic on the lawn and discover the new exhibition in the Ucross Art Gallery.
“Founder’s Day is one of the best ways to get to know Ucross,” said Caitlin Addlesperger, Ucross President and Executive Director. “Our artist residency program is at the core of our mission. And for one day, you can meet all of our artists -in -residence, walk on the trails between the studios with views of our vast ranch, enjoy our culinary team’s incredible food and end the afternoon immersed in the artwork that comes of uninterrupted time and space.”
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. , visitors may tour the studios of Ucross’s current artists – in -residence, meet the artists and view works in progress. The community will hear how being at Ucross has impacted their creative process.
Participating current artists -in -residence will include writer Jessie Allen of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; mixed -media artist Rachel Breen of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; poet Beth Alison Jones of Augusta, Maine ; composer Arthur Gottschalk of Houston, Texas ; poet Ed Bok Lee of St. Paul, Minnesota; writer Kartika Budhwar of Houston, Texas ; comic book artist Bim Eriksson of Stockholm, Sweden; composer Victor Marquez – Barrios of Kirksville , Missouri; the recipient of the Ucross Fellowship for Native American Performers, Cannupa Hanska Luger (Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara/Lakota ) of Glorieta, New Mexico ; and the recipient of the Ucross Fellowship for Native American Visual Artists, ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby ( Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians ) of Grand Rapids, Michigan .
Ucross alumna Katie Merz of Brooklyn, New York, will finish live painting the Ucross Shed during the festivities as the final installation for the latest exhibition in the Ucross Art Gallery: “In Company: A Ucross Constellation.”
Then, at 1 p.m., the Ucross Art Gallery will draw back the curtains and unveil the exhibition. Curated by Ucross, “In Company” explores how artists, composers and writers build upon inspiration from the creative works of their peers — past and present — to create a global creative community. The exhibition features 14 artists: seven Ucross artist -alumni who each nominated an artist whose work will be exhibit ed alongside their own.
“In Company” will invite the viewer into the creative process, shining a light on how ideas can be expanded upon in many ways and become uniquely inspired works of art. Throughout the event, the pop -up Ucross Café food truck will offer house made pizza, popsicles and beverages for purchase throughout the day. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket.
Ucross Founder’s Day recognizes the 104th anniversary of the late Ucross founder, Raymond Plank . Born on May 29, 1922, Plank grew up on his family farm in Minnesota. He entered Yale University in September 1940 but left just three months later, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserves. During World War II, he piloted B -24 bombers, completed 40 combat missions, and earned numerous commendations. After the war,
Plank went on to graduate from Yale; form an accounting and tax service; and eventually co -found and become chairman and CEO of Apache Corporation, which was based in Minneapolis and is now based in Houston, Texas.
Plank passed away in November 2018 at age 96. Plank founded Ucross Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 1981, and the residency program welcomed its first artists in 1983. Over the next four decades, the program has developed into one of the most respected artist communities in the nation.
More than 3,000 visual artists, writers, choreographers and composers have been to Ucross, benefiting from its uninterrupted time, studio space, living accommodations and meals by a professional chef, as well as the experience of the majestic High Plains.
Many alumni have gone on to earn national recognition, including Pulitzer Prizes, MacArthur “Genius” Fellowships, National Book Awards, Tony Awards, Academy Awards and more.
For more information about Founder’s Day or to reserve free tickets, go to www.ucross.org.
Photos courtesy of Ucross
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Last modified: April 12, 2026