The Esker Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program provides an opportunity for Northern artists to pursue work that brings together science and art through connection with the spectacular landscape of NWT’s tundra at the Tundra Ecosystem Research Station (TERS) along North America’s longest esker. Participating artists are given valuable time to retreat, reflect, and focus on their work alongside researchers and scientists. The residency is an ideal setting for exploring the interplay between art, science, and conservation.

 

In 2026, the residency ran from July 30 to August 9, and gave one artist valuable time to retreat, reflect, and focus on their work alongside researchers and scientists.

​

About the 2026 Esker AiR artist:

​

Beth Cowan is a visual artist with a background in arctic geomorphology (study of the changing landscape), living in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Her style of artwork explores the details, textures and changes in the landscape. She uses woodburning along with relief printing, foraged ink and watercolour as tools to study the textures and details of the natural environment. She draws inspiration and experimentation from hikes, ski and canoe trips she continues to enjoy across the Territories.

During the Esker AiR, Beth worked in watercolour and ink, as well as anthotype (turmeric sun prints), to represent the tundra landscape.