Scientific illustration brings to life the wonders of nature, from minute phytoplankton to extinct megafauna. Explore the beauty and fine details of the world around us in the special exhibit featuring works from over 40 local artists in a variety of mediums, all sure to inspire curiosity and deepen connections with science and nature. The Museum has been exhibiting science illustration since 1989 and this beloved annual show is guaranteed to appeal to lovers of both science and art.
Exhibit Events
Andrea Dingeldein
Brett Bell
Brynna Reilly
Cady DeLay
Calene Luczo Fletcher
Elizabeth Plummer
Elizabeth Romanini
Erin E. Hunter
Erin Ellis
Haley Grunloh
Hannah Caisse
Hannah Kanne
Jennifer Zee
Jessica Cohen
Jonathan Broberg
Kaelin O’Hare
Kathryn McCullough
Kevin Wiseman
Khenya Clark
Krista Anandakuttan
Kylene Gilmore
Liz Bloomfield
Lora Roame
Lyal Michel
Mari Stauffer Howard
Maria Cecilia Freeman
Mason Schratter
Megan Gnekow
Melissa Robbins-Eugene
Michael Baca
Molly Brown
Nefret Allen-Cantu
Nicholas Ta
Noelle Balagtas
Patricia Larenas
Rachel Strader
Rebecca Botelho
Reid Psaltis
Sami Chang
Sondra Cohelan
Suzanne B. Clark
Suzy Rad
Tina Fuller Somers
Torie Robinson
Vance Lawry
Victoria O’Dea
Paleontological Art
Unlike living species, extinct organisms can only be seen or depicted through scientific illustration. Paleoartists use fossil evidence, genetic relationships, and anatomical knowledge to inform their rendering of environments and creatures that may look nothing like what exists today. This piece from artist Mason Schratter was inspired by a fossil bone that recently came to the Museum. Read the full story HERE.
Educational Resources
Videos
Lecture on Exploring Art and Science
In this full length lecture, artist and educator Andrea Dingeldein details the long history of scientific illustration, from cave paintings to today.
Art for Conservation
During this lecture with artist Megan Gnekow, we explore how understanding and communicating food webs and other ecological relationships can help put some favorite (and famous!) creatures into context. You’ll also learn how creative use of science illustration can help tell these stories.
Art+Science to Understand Joshua Tree Species
In this talk, Dr. Juniper Harrower shares her multimedia art and ecological research practice that investigates the impacts of climate change on Joshua trees and their critical symbiotic partners — a clever moth pollinator and an underground community of mycorrhizal fungi.
How a Botanical Artist Looks at a Rose
Learn how to get to know a rose in order to illustrate it. During this online lecture, Maria Cecilia Freeman demonstrates how to draw and paint petals, leaves, and other parts that help distinguish a rose.
From Sketch to Skin
In this Sketch to Skin video, watch the process Yvonne Byers uses for her science illustration tattoos. It begins with studying her subject, followed by sketching, and then translating it onto a human canvas.
Lecture on Visualizing Science
Where does illustrator end, and infographer begin? How does data visualization fit in? And what does science have to say about the design decisions we make? Jen Christiansen hopes to get folks thinking about what they can learn from — and teach to — different visual sub-disciplines within the broader orb of science communication.
Ask an Artist with Megan Gnekow
During this livestream event, the Museum’s Public Programs Manager interviews science illustrator Megan Gnekow, about the intersection of art and science with her work. Megan’s work has regularly been on exhibit in “The Art of Nature.”
Shop Scientific Illustration
Visit our gift shop or Online Museum Store to find your ideal print, card, sticker and more featuring scientific illustration from local artists. Your purchase supports the Museum and our arts community.
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