Tide Pool Plants, Bob’s Creek, Oregon by Joanna Carrabbio
The Pacific Maritime Heritage Center will host the Oregon chapter of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators’ exhibit, “Tidal Waters: The Art of Scientific Illustration.” This group exhibit, in the Center’s Galley Gallery, opens on Thursday, September 10th, and will run through Sunday, February 21, 2016. The exhibit includes selected works submitted by members of the organization.
Science illustrators are artists in the service of science, and often accuracy takes precedence over aesthetics. However, those who view this exhibit will likely find it nothing short of artful. This compilation of artwork follows in the long tradition of scientific illustration where attention to detail was paramount. Often times the Scientific Illustrator makes visible what cannot be otherwise seen. The subject matter included in this exhibit focuses on species associated with the tidal waters of Oregon. Subjects include anemones, crabs, sea stars, mussels, nudibranchs, chitons, tunicates, gooseneck barnacles and octopuses, among many others.
Artists include Catherine Alexander, Marly Beyer, Kristine Blodget, Rebecca Brown-Thompson, Joanna Carrabbio, Paula Fong, Alice Hill, Kristine Kirkeby, Cynthia Kranich, Terri Nelson and Nora Sherwood. All are Oregon residents, and each created pieces based on inspirations gained by visiting tide pools and the nearby environs. Media includes watercolor, acrylics, carbon dust, pen & ink and colored pencil. Most of the pieces are available for sale, with proceeds benefiting the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center.
Hairy Hermit Crab, by Catherine Alexander
The opening artists’ reception will take place Friday, September 11, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Maritime Center. Admission to the opening reception is free for Historical Society members, and $5 for non-members.
Following the reception on Friday, the organization’s members will be conducting a weekend field trip in the area. This trip will be focused on the Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the birds of Lincoln City. The group will be sketching and photographing subjects and environments while canoeing in the estuary and viewing birds on nearby trails.
For more information about the exhibit or reception, call the Lincoln County Historical Society at (541) 265-7509. For more information about the Oregon chapter of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, visit www.gnsi-oregon.org.