It was only in January when sixteen scientists met with sixteen artists in northern California. Brought together by Santa Cruz-based artist, Lisa Hochstein, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center partnered with sixteen artists from California’s Central Coast and the greater San Francisco Bay area. The purpose of the meeting was to create collaborative partnerships in which scientists shared their research with artists and in which artists would then create new work based on the research of their scientist-partner.
The research topics presented to the artists include the study of migratory bird patterns, the movement of sediment through wind, waves, and currents, deep-water reserves of precious metals, the potential effects of natural and anthropogenic hazards, and mapping climate change as it impacts both human communities and natural environments. The scientists’ areas of specialization include geology, biology, geography, geochemistry, and oceanography.
Stepping outside of their usual line of work, artists have worked closely with scientists to explore the interdisciplinary nature of art and science. Artists discuss their respective projects on the Earth • Science • Art website. The way artists have chosen to interpret their partner’s data is fascinating. If you only have time to quickly skim over the Earth • Science • Art website, try to spend most of your time reading the Artist’s Update page. Your day will be sprinkled with inspiration and is sure to be much brighter.
About this collaboration of artists and scientists, aritst/curator, Lisa Hochstein, says:
This project is an opportunity to showcase the talents of our area’s artists, as well as the exciting scientific work being done in Santa Cruz by the USGS. Through these collaborations we hope to invite people to reflect on the vastness of geological time, the impact of humans on the planet, and the creative ways that, as scientists and artists, we study and represent the world around us.
The exhibition Earth • Science • Art will open with a First Friday opening reception on Friday, June 1 from 5-9 PM at the R. Blitzer Gallery in Santa Cruz. The public is invited to attend. This exhibition is free and will be open to the public, Wednesday – Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM, June 2–30, 2012. During the month of June, two evening panel discussions with project participants will be hosted by the R. Blitzer Gallery.
Visit the Earth • Science • Art website at www.earthscienceartSC.com.
Visit the R. Blitzer Gallery in Santa Cruz.
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Pollinator Week is an annual event hosted by the Pollinator Partnership, a nonprofit organization in San Francisco whose mission is to “protect pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education, and research.” 
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