Erin Elder (she/her) is an artist and writer using creative research methods to understand how people and landscapes shape one another. Whether designing a locals-led bus tour, testing an experimental commune, mounting an exhibition, or publishing a book, her projects work with a broad definition of art to explore particular places. Erin’s drawings have been exhibited throughout the Rocky Mountain West and in Canada. Her writing has been published by University of Minnesota Press, University of Houston Press, and various regional magazines, and two self-published books. She maintains a Substack called site & scene which houses a growing collection of place-based work. She is a 2024 New Mexico Writer award winner. Her creative work has been supported by various residencies and awards, including a research fellowship with the Center for Art + Environment at Nevada Museum of Art and a multi-year residency with the Department of Creativity + Innovation at Colorado College. Erin has produced curatorial projects with PASEO Project, Museum of Capitalism, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Württembergischer Kunstverein, Creative Time, the Center for Land Use Interpretation, and the City of Albuquerque, among others. From 2009-2014, she co-founded and directed PLAND, an off-the-grid residency program near Tres Piedras, NM. From 2012-2015, she was also the Visual Arts Director at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Santa Fe. In addition to her creative work, Erin operates Gibbous, a consulting service that supports committed artists at pivotal moments in their careers. She lives on the banks of the Rio Grande, just outside Albuquerque, NM.