Science Stories: A Collaboration of Book Artists and Scientists: 

https://blogs.pugetsound.edu/sciencestories/

A new exhibit at Collins Memorial Library called Science Stories brings together work by Pacific Northwest Scientists and Book Artists. The free exhibit of 22 artist books, and objects from the Slater Museum of Natural History, is open to the public Monday thru Friday 8 am to 5 pm from now until January 14, 2022. Topics include: water, ice, mountains, flora, fauna, and human health. A companion website contains a wealth of information about the artist books in the exhibition and interviews with the 38 participating artists and scientists ( https://blogs.pugetsound.edu/sciencestories).

A number of Puget Sound faculty were involved with the Science Stories project representing a wide range of research and expertise: Dan Burgard: Working Upstream, Rachel E Pepper: Vorticella Convallaria: 1676-2020), Stacey Weiss: Striped Plateau Lizard, Peter H Wimberger: Castor and Sapient and Timeline: A View from Washington Pass, Alyce A DeMarais: Tensile: A Sublime Love Story, and Steven Neshyba: Field Study: Ice Crystals of Antarctica. In each case the collaboration took a different path and together artist and scientist contributed to the unique design. We thank our colleagues for supporting this effort and providing the opportunity to showcase their important research.

The project is the brainchild of Evergreen’s Emeritus faculty member Lucia Harrison, Puget Sound Library Director Jane Carlin, and Professor of Biology at Puget Sound Peter H. Wimberger. Over two years ago they started talking about the many connections between art and science. The University of Puget Sound created the Art & Sci Initiative to bring together ideas and concepts to promote greater understanding of science. Wimberger, a founding member of this initiative, was eager to find opportunities to engage scientists in new ways of thinking. Harrison, an educator with a rich history of teaching art using science as a platform, has seen the impact that combining art and science in educational settings has had on her students at The Evergreen State College as well as work she has done with the community. And Library Director Jane Carlin has been an advocate for local books artists as well as for integrating artists’ books into the curriculum. As Carlin states, “These artists’ books promote unique opportunities to share ideas and to enhance understanding of science. Combining art, text and formats in innovative ways engages the reader/viewer in ways that a traditional book can’t.” Harrison agrees: “So often, we as the public, are removed from the important work scientists are doing. This project offers the opportunity to showcase the important scientific work being done in our community and make it more accessible to the public.”

All of the artists used images, innovative book structures, and tactile materials to seduce their audiences to engage in a dialog about issues raised by the scientists’ research. Each one offers insights into the research being conducted in our region and helps foster a greater understanding of science and the connection that art has in helping us understand this complex work.

To arrange a class visit, please contact Jane Carlin, jcarlin@pugetsound.edu. Watch for information about panel discussions and related events.

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