Part of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the western Upper Peninsula. (Susan J. Demas | Michigan Advance)

A group of volunteers seeking to preserve and connect people with the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park has opened applications for its artists in residence program, offering creatives an opportunity to immerse themselves in the wilderness of the Upper Peninsula and channel it into their work.

The Friends of the Porkies Artist-in-Residence program is open to writers, composers and all visual and performing artists, offering them the use of a rustic cabin on the Little Union River for a minimum of two weeks, and a three-night backcountry camping permit if requested.

As part of the residency, artists will also provide a public presentation demonstrating an aspect of their work.

Located in the western Upper Peninsula, the park encompasses 60,000 acres, including 35,000 acres of old-growth forest, as well as waterfalls, rivers and 25 miles of Lake Superior shoreline.

According to Friends of the Porkies, the goal of the program is “to offer residencies to new and established artists of recognized excellence from around the world to pursue their creative process in a wilderness environment.”

Applications for the program can be found at the Friends of the Porkies web page at Porkies.org/Artist-in-Residence. Applications for the 2026 season must be received by Feb. 14, 2026 and selected artists will be notified mid-April.

According to a news release from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, selection for the program will be based on their artistic integrity, ability to reside in a wilderness environment, their ability to relate to and interpret the park through their art, as well as their willingness to donate an original, finished piece of art inspired by their stay.

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