My first love was the desert.

In college, I spent a month doing archaeological fieldwork in the desert, camping on the rocks and exploring from sunup to sundown, searching for artifacts and documenting the land through my camera. I couldn’t believe that this was something you could do for a job—waking up each day to colors I had never seen before, watching the rocks glow in response to the rise and fall of the sun, and witnessing the sheer diversity of life in such a harsh and untamed place. The desert wasn’t empty; it was alive. You just had to slow down and look.

The experience of studying the past in such a landscape brought time full circle—connecting history, the present, and the future in a way that left me in awe. People had not only survived here for thousands of years but thrived. And just when I thought the desert couldn’t become any more magical, night would fall, revealing a sky so vast and brilliant that it felt like stepping into the universe itself.

That fieldwork in 2010 was the most profound project I ever worked on, but it left a lasting imprint—a deep passion for wild places and the connection they foster within us. The desert would always be my home.

It wasn’t until 2015, when I finally camped in Big Bend, that I felt that same spark again. Big Bend is unlike any other place—where mountains and pine trees collide with prickly pears and desert sands, where canyons rise against the lush banks of the Rio Grande. There is no better embodiment of Texas than Big Bend. The mountains will call to you, the canyons will pull you in, and the night sky will leave you breathless, over and over again.

This is why I want to share Big Bend with you—It’s a place that inspires, rejuvenates, and transforms. I hope you leave this creative meetup not just with new stories and connections but forever changed by the beauty and spirit of this land. I can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself and I’m excited to meet, create, and learn from each of you.

-j

Host:

Jay Kazen

Co-Host

  • Spencer Selvidge

    Spencer is an Austin-based photojournalist whose storytelling work is balanced against his mission to document and protect the raw beauty of the natural world. Having transitioned from attendee to co-host, he blends a deep curiosity for the science of the land with an artist’s eye and a dedication to helping others see the quiet ruggedness of the desert. Spencer encourages others to slow down and connect with the desert, finding the same quiet inspiration and respect for nature that he has discovered in West Texas’ wide-open, hallowed spaces.

Confirmed Creatives Coming Soon

  • Seth Garza

    Photography

  • Stacey Swinney

    Photography | Jewelry | Painting

  • Lisa Emmitte

    Jewelry | Silversmith

  • Jennifer Udema

    Photography | Writing

    Born and raised in the gorgeous state of Colorado, I've been called to photography since I was little kid. Running around snapping Polaroids of pets turned into taking a DSLR to different countries and capturing natural scenes everywhere I could. Additionally, I love to write about experiences, to have words that accompany my images. Field notes become stories and paired with photographs

  • Tori Stewart

  • Mani Rajagopal

    Photography

    I work in science, but I am also into the arts. I believe they are complementary. I am curious and have pursued different artistic interests, including photography, landscape painting, and pottery. I bought my DSLR camera during COVID to take landscape photos while hiking. I used to spend many minutes at a beautiful spot, yet I took only mediocre pictures. It took many trials and errors to learn to compose a beautiful picture of a scene. I am slowly getting better at wildlife and nighttime photography, which requires different techniques than landscape photography.

  • Gena Keffer

  • Saira Hernandez

  • Brittany Taylor ⭐️

    Photography

    I discovered photography in 7th grade, and nearly two decades later, now approaching 32, my passion for it has only grown stronger. What began as curiosity quickly became a lifelong way of seeing and understanding the world. Photography allows tells stories, capture moments, and share experiences beyond words.

    When I’m not behind the camera, I work as a Multimedia Lead for the Air Force Civil Engineering Center. Outside of work, I’m an avid traveler, constantly seeking new places, perspectives, and stories to document. Whether at home or halfway around the world, photography remains my way of connecting people, places, and moments.

  • Stepahnie Salvadar ⭐️

    Photography | Writing | Sketching | Directing

    I am a multidisciplinary artist, using photography as my dominant medium to explore the connection between people, place, and the quiet power of wild landscapes. My work is driven by a deep curiosity about how art can convey the emotional and ecological stories embedded within natural spaces. Bryce Canyon’s otherworldly hoodoos and vast high-desert light feel like an open invitation to expand my creative practice and deepen my relationship with the American West. I’m especially drawn to Utah as a place of both personal yearning and artistic possibility, where exploration and storytelling converge.

  • Michael Barton ⭐️

    Photography

  • Alan Tomasetti-- WC Board

    Photography

    Alan Tomassetti is a seasoned media production professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He has produced compelling PBS documentaries, directed professional sports coverage, and created high-quality corporate videos and commercials. Beyond his work in media production, Alan is also an accomplished nature and wildlife photographer and videographer, capturing stunning visuals that showcase the beauty of the natural world. His expertise and passion for storytelling continue to shape his diverse and dynamic career.

  • Cyndy Tomasetti

    Painting | Photography