She began her career with the National Park Service in 1986. She worked at Glen Canyon and Devils Tower before moving to Capitol Reef National Park, initially serving as lead interpreter and then as chief of interpretation. She retired from the National Park Service in January, 2011.

According to the NPS Digest, “Riley had a unique zest for life and caring for the people around her. She was among the most personable individuals in the National Park Service; many visitors and colleagues enjoyed her energy, sense of humor, adventure, and love of life.” Members of Entrada Institute confirm these thoughts and add that she provided a wonderful bridge between the Institute and the Park Service organization.

Riley’s wish was that “her ashes be sprinkled where they can dance in the breeze, be warmed by the sun and be embodied amongst the land that connected her life and soul.”

In a 2009 interview, Riley was quoted as saying “Everything yearns to be alive in the desert… I’m an old newcomer after 20 years here. We like it here because we want to live in a clean, remote, crime-free area where we don’t have to lock our doors and where community is close.”

For more information…

• Passing of Riley Mitchell 
• LifeStoryNet
• NWI Obituary

The Entrada Institute has named Utah composer Dr. Marden Pond the 2012 Artist-in-Residence award recipient. Pond intends to compose “a suite of musical soundscapes… relating to the enigmatic rock art found throughout the Colorado Plateau.” This suite is intended to “create an emotional response to these fascinating visual art treasures.”

Enjoy audio excerpts of Pond’s compositions:

Aquascape
Kenbabwe
Night’s Dream
Shadow Dance
Solar Wind
Windchime

To learn more about Dr. Marden Pond, visit his website.

The Artist-in-Residence Program
Awarded annually for the past decade, the Entrada Institute is awarded to an artist to support development of new work that encourages dialogue and discovery about the natural treasures and peoples of the Colorado Plateau. Recen

t examples include the 2011 award to noted art historian Dr. Will South for an essay to be published by the University of Utah Press in Final Light: The Life and Art of V. Douglas Snow, a fine art book to be released during the winter of 2012. In 2010, Ann Torrence used the award to produce a photographic essay about volunteerism in Wayne County, Utah.

“My name is David Chase Jackson, and I live in Bicknell, Utah. I am the son of Kirk Jackson, (Bicknell), and April Jackson, (Draper). I plan to attend Salt Lake Community College for my start in the field of archeology. After college, I plan to find a successful career in that field, which would allow me to travel the world. My greatest inspiration in pursuing archeology as a career has been myself. I have had to do a great deal of thinking to discover what my interests are and what I would love to do. In addition, my dad has been a huge inspiration in my life. He has pushed me to succeed, and he has inspired me with his stories and experiences of traveling the world.” – Chase

This weekly student spotlight is brought to you by Wayne High School and the Entrada Institute scholarship committee. These spotlights are not only to inform the people of Wayne County about these fine seniors, but to encourage contributions to the “Scholarship of Excellence” program for students at WCHC. For more information about tax deductible donations, please call Frances Metcalfe at WCHS.

Frank McEntire

McEntire is a native of Houston, TX, and moved to Utah in 1976. His sculptural works have been featured in several publications and shown in numerous exhibits throughout Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. He is well known as an independent curator. As a writer, McEntire has published many exhibit catalog essays and magazine articles. His reviews and feature articles were well received as the former art critic for The Salt Lake Tribune and Salt Lake Magazine. McEntire has served on boards of many arts and human services organizations, including the board of directors for the Utah Arts Council until appointed as its executive director, a position he held until January 2005.

According to Ivar Zeile, owner of + Gallery in Denver, Co., McEntire “is an icon of unusual and impressive scope. As a collector and manipulator of discarded religious objects, he creates assemblages that run heavily counter to their original intentions. Strong spiritual connotations push the constructed imagery into a realm that is fraught with social as well as political commentary. McEntire’s appointment as the executive director of the Utah Arts Council makes his artistic oeuvre all the more intriguing. His deep background in the arts, including years as an art critic, paints a picture of distinction and unparalleled dedication to the arts.”

“As a young girl, I always wanted to help people. After watching my mom help people as an EMT, I knew I wanted to pursue Pediatric Nursing as a career choice. I plan to attend UVU to get a degree in nursing and then specialize in pediatrics. My parents, Jerry and Elva Jackson, have supported me through all my decisions and choices. My name is Haylee Jackson and I live in Fremont.” – Haylee 

This weekly student spotlight is brought to you by Wayne County High School and the Entrada Institute scholarship committee. These spotlights are not only to inform the people of Wayne County about these fine seniors, but to encourage contributions to the “Scholarship of Excellence” program for students at WCHC. For more information about tax deductible donations, please call Frances Metcalfe at WCHS.

This weekly student spotlight is brought to you by Wayne High School and the Entrada Institute scholarship committee. These spotlights are not only to inform the people of Wayne County about these fine seniors, but to encourage contributions to the “Scholarship of Excellence” program for students at WCHC. For more information about tax deductible donations, please call Frances Metcalfe at WCHS.

During the next twenty years we will see new demands on the West as populations shift, livelihoods readjust, and the climate continues to change. With your help, Entrada will influence that future by providing interpretive programming, discussion forums, youth education opportunities, and development prospects for thinkers and creative types of all stripes.

The board of directors* and I invite you to help sustain the vitality of the Colorado Plateau and share the splendor of the Capitol Reef area by contributing to the Entrada Institute. It takes about $30,000 for Entrada to provide its three main programs: Saturday Sunset Series, Artist-in-Residence, and Wayne County High School Scholarships.

Our Scholarship Program for Wayne County High provides much-needed financial support for graduating students who wish to pursue a college education—this includes our new Bernice Scholl Memorial Scholarship fund.

Our Saturday Series of readings, concerts, slideshows, lectures, and other events enrich the cultural life of Wayne County while providing artists, humanities scholars and earth scientists to share their new and existing works.

Our Artist in Residence helps support the creation of new works in the Wayne County environs, while providing a housing and meals stipend and an opportunity for the artist to describe his or her experience.

In these uncertain economic times, many non-profit organizations are struggling to stay afloat. Others have shuttered their doors or significantly cut back staff and programming. Entrada is a very lean organization, run by a working board. Please help us by contributing.

Please send your donation to the address (below) or by using PayPal button (below) to help ensure a strong 2012 season.

Thank you for considering this invitation of support.

Sincerely,

Frank McEntire, President
Entrada Institute

Entrada Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, tax identification number
87-0514231, and your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent allowable by law.

The evening began with food, drink, and musical entertainment by Steve Lutz and Will Barclay.

Entrada president Frank McEntire welcomed the enthusiastic crowd and provided an overview of the organization.

Next, a Year-In-Review multimedia presentation was shared by Annette Lamb.

Barry Scholl announced award winners. Owen Oplin received the Ward Roylance Award. Gus Scott received the Friends of Entrada Award.

Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson facilitated the auction. Thanks to everyone who purchased items or pledged funds for the scholarship, artist-in-residence, and Saturday Sunset Series programming.

The evening concluded with a reading of a one-act play by Debora Threedy titled “Underground” about archaeology, greed, and unintended consequences.

Entrada’s incoming president Debora Threedy provided closing remarks.

Be sure to check out the photos at Facebook Photos.

It’s not too late to contribute!