Trekker Profile: Jill Markovitz BY: BRAD JEFFREY Jill Markovitz went on Prairie Trek (Group 3) in 1990-1991, where she discovered her passion for art, photography and the Southwest. She went on to earn a degree in art education from the University of New Mexico and a Master's of Fine Art in Photography from UMass, Amherst. Jill is the founder and director of Philly Art Center, a creative hub for studio learning across the Philadelphia region. How did you find out about Cottonwood Gulch? Indirectly, through Ellie Macneale Elkinton. What are some of your favorite experiences with the Gulch? There are just so many experiences, memories like snapshots… the flutter of a forest of aspen leaves before a storm, the enormity of the view from the peak of Mt. Sneffels, the feeling of connectedness to the past while standing in the Grand Kiva of Casa Rinconada. A standout experience and probably one of the most important was in 1990, my first year as a trekker. Our group leader, Nate Lord, saw that I took an interest in photography. He lent me his SLR camera and I took it on every hike and backpacking trip that entire summer. I was astounded by his trust in me. I had a ton of black and white film that the Gulch gave me and I shot every frame and learned how to develop it in the old dark room. I just fell in love with photography to the point where I pursued it for my MFA. But equally important, Nate valued me as capable and responsible so that I learned to recognize these qualities in myself. By the end of my second summer, I won the Silver Buckle “for doing my own job best and helping others most.” I still have the buckle! That ethic of responsibility to myself, my peers, and my community has really stuck with me.
me confidence, ever after, in life and business. What is unique about Cottonwood Gulch? There are a lot of outdoor programs out there now, but I think what sets the Gulch apart is the human relationships they’ve built over time. For me, one of the most important gifts the Gulch gave me was a relationship with [former Board Member] Irene Notah, Grandfather Tom Henio’s youngest daughter. Her daughter, Antoinette and I became friends at the Gulch. When I was still in high school, Irene invited me to stay with her and her family and I spent a month with them. Later, Antoinette and I lived together when we were both in school in Albuquerque. And even later, I went back and shot my MFA thesis in and around their home. When I went back to NM in the summer of 2019, one of my first stops was to meet Irene and Antoinette at the Gallup Flea Market. How else, does a nice Jewish girl from Philly become lifelong friends with a Navajo family from Arizona if not for Cottonwood Gulch?
Does the Gulch continue to play a role in your life? Sure, and the Gulch has a way that keeps you coming back. I went to a local Gulch reunion, thinking that my son and I would like to do a Family Trek. And that’s when I met my partner and his family. There’s something about Gulch people. We care about our communities and our families and the world. I think it What is something you learned or discovered about yourself? comes back to being out in nature, but also being part of a group that has to eat and pack a com and all the other things that go After the first summer, I started pursuing leadership opportuniinto making a group function on the road or in Basecamp. You ties at school, this was 11th grade. I was more confident in my can’t have the spectacular hikes and amazing memories without abilities and started to chart my own path. I went to a competdoing KP and G and L. For me, that job is running a business itive Quaker boarding school, so my decision to go to the University of New Mexico was a different kind of college choice than that employs over 30 people and it’s also keeping our blended my peers were making. In 2004, I opened Philly Art Center out family of six going. We all have our own Gulch stories and conof a 300 square foot space. Now, I’ve got three locations and have nections. My son, in a few more years, will have his. The Gulch had thousands of artists come through our studios. We’re one of will continue to tie us together to each other and to families the largest independent educational programs in Philadelphia. I across the US and the world. learned how to take measured risk at the Gulch and that’s given Were there other important lessons you learned? I learned the value of wilderness; that it needs to be protected. I learned a lot about conservation, and the importance of balancing resource development with other needs. And of course, I learned a ton of great campfire songs!
16 News from Trek Country SPRING 2021
