Demuth Foundation Artist Residency Program

Ana Neifeld, the first Artist-in-Residence at the Demuth Foundation, recently completed her residency with the exhibition Resident Artist Showcase: Ana Neifeld, on view at the Demuth Museum from July 31 - August 2, 2025.

The Demuth Artist Residency program was created to engage with an artist focused on drawing and/or painting to create a new body of work that’s rooted in the Demuth Foundation’s collection and Lancaster’s artistic community. The residency program will support the Foundation’s mission by fostering deeper connections with contemporary artists and connecting today’s art world with Demuth’s pioneering style and vision for American Art.

Originally from Oakland, California, Ana Neifeld came to the east coast to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the University of Pennsylvania. She holds a BFA in painting from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and worked as an artist, teaching artist, and assistant gallery curator in Philadelphia. Neifeld's practice has been influenced by Charles Demuth's work, specifically his treatment of form and space through observation and study of his works at the Barnes Foundation. 

"We are really excited to launch our first artist residency at the Demuth Foundation and eager to welcome Ana to Lancaster in June,” said Abby Baer, Executive Director of the Demuth Foundation. “The selection committee unanimously chose Ana because of her strong application and connection to Charles Demuth's work. We cannot wait to see how her work evolves through her time spent at our museum and through her interactions with Lancaster's art community."

"My work, like Demuth’s, explores the interplay between structure and atmosphere, distilling familiar elements into luminous and evocative compositions," Neifeld states. "I strive to create spaces of contemplation and wonder, using the language of painting to evoke emotional landscapes rather than literal depictions. I am particularly drawn to Demuth’s precision—his ability to craft clean, deliberate compositions while maintaining a profound sense of mystery. His balance of clarity & openness has deeply informed my approach to painting."

The six-week residency concluded with an artist’s lecture and an exhibit of the works produced by Neifeld during her time at the Demuth Foundation.