Artist-in-Residence:
Making Art Where the Earth Speaks

I’m Ben Gage, a folk and blues-inspired songwriter, visual artist, and full-time road wanderer. My creative work is shaped by the land I travel through and the people I meet along the way. I’ve played listening rooms and festivals, drawn in forests and deserts, and always followed the thread of curiosity. This residency program is my way of giving back to the places that have given me so much.

What if the land could sing?

As a traveling songwriter, illustrator, and photographer, I spend most of my time listening, to stories, people, and the land itself. This residency offering brings that spirit into partnership with national parks, state parks, heritage sites, and trail systems. My goal? To create work that draws people in, deepens their sense of place, and leaves behind something beautiful and lasting.

Residency outcomes include:

A collection of original music, illustrations, and photography created on site
Optional public workshops or intimate performances
Time-lapse art, live videos, and recordings to help promote the location
A fresh lens on your space, rooted in storytelling and creativity

View Full Residency Proposal

Original Music

Songs written on site, inspired by the surroundings and the stories collected. A performance of these songs and stories would be shared at the end of the residency.

Live Videos

A completely mobile field recording setup lets me capture songs in the places that inspire them. It also allows the option to have other local musicians to join in on the creative process and be archived.

Recorded outside of Big Bend NP, TX

Recorded on the Oregon Coast

Recorded in Black Hills, SD

Recorded in Alaska

Art

Physical art created from the local landmarks, wildlife, history, and the people that make an area what it is. Pairing art with music and photos allows a deeper connection to place and the energy it shares.