Artist-in-residence Named For Zion National Park

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The National Parks service has selected Maryland sculptor David Purcell as the new artist-in-residence at Utah's Zion National Park.

In a news release, the parks service says Purcell, of Baltimore, will spend a month using topographical maps, observations, drawings and photographs to create a series of sculptures inspired by Zion's landforms.

Purcell will end his month of study with a lecture at the Zion Lodge on Feb. 25. A second presentation is scheduled for March 3 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Zion's artist-in-residence program gives professional artists a chance to live and work in the park. The program is funded through the parks service along with the Zion Natural History Association and Southern Utah University.