Cortez artist Barbara Grist will hold a public open house at the Aspen Guard Station from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, June 17.

Participants are invited to come with materials to create art, photography, music, writing, or to just sit and enjoy nature. Grist will offer guidance on art or photography, and conduct an informal tour of the historic cabin and grounds. Participants are asked to car pool, if possible, as parking is limited, and to bring water and a chair. Light refreshments will be furnished.

To reach the Aspen Guard Station from Mancos, turn north towards Dolores at the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 onto Colorado Highway 184. Watch for County Road 42 on your right at the sign to Transfer Campground and Mancos State Park. Follow this road 11 miles to the cabin. The paved road turns to gravel and becomes Forest Road 561 (accessible to passenger vehicles). At the forest boundary, continue toward Jersey Jim. Continue straight on 561 past the turnoff to Transfer Campground. At the next fork, continue straight on 561, following the sign to Aspen Guard Station. After winding up through aspen, the wooden fence around the cabin will be on your right, and then the sign and driveway. Parking may be roadside.

For more information on the Artist in Residence Program, visit the San Juan National Forest Website Learning Center page at http://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan.

For information on the open house, call Barbara Grist at 560-2767. More information is available on her websites at www.BarbaraGristPhotography.com and www.artworknetwork.com/barbaragrist.