LURAY, VIRGINIA — Shenandoah National Park recently announced Pennsylvania-based photographer Sandy Long as the artist selected for the park’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence program. “We are very excited to debut the Artist-in-Residence program in Shenandoah. This program is a great avenue that will allow artists to discover, reveal, and share Shenandoah’s wonderful natural and cultural resources with new audiences,” said Superintendent Jim Northup.

Long has a multifaceted background as an artist, writer and educator. She gained her devout appreciation for wilderness during visits to iconic landscapes which she notes, “have inspired my work as an advocate for wilderness and opportunities that allow people to interface with it.” During the two-week residency, Long will embark in explorations that will allow her to capture Shenandoah’s Wilderness from an artist’s perspective. For more information visit www.nps.gov/shen/supportyourpark/artist-in-residence.htm.

Sandy Long is a writer and photographer who focuses pen and lens on environmental, cultural and community issues. She is a lifelong Pennsylvania resident, originally from Wilkes-Barre and currently based in Pike County.

Following a career in higher education administration, Long has contributed to regional lifestyle publications, served as a staff photojournalist and columnist for The River Reporter and published two collections of poetry: “A Heart, She Said” (2013) and “Portal 1” (2011). Along with Krista Gromalski, Long is co-founder of the PR and marketing firm, Heron’s Eye Communications. Visit SandyLongPhotos.com to view her photography.