#sciart

This year, we hosted a science art contest in conjunction with UC Davis Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute and the UC Davis Center for Mind and Brain. We received incredible entries across four categories. Read on to find out more about the winning pieces.

First place goes to Darren Chan with their depiction of a heart.

Dr. Hangarter’s love affair with science communication via art began in 2003 with the sLowlife exhibit with the Indiana University fine arts department photographer, Dennis DeHart. At the time, many scientists were collecting data that was difficult to put into words (i.e., timelapse, videos, microscopy, etc.), but are beautiful and artistic to behold. Together, they curated a plant-focused exhibit that seemed abstract to artists, but concrete to scientists. The exhibit was so successful that it became a large-scale traveling exhibit featured across the country.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but what about a video? Keeping with our theme of the intersection of science and art, we invited the head of The Animation Lab, Dr. Janet Iwasa, from the University of Utah to share how she learned to create scientific animations.

Many of us appreciate wondrous scientific discoveries, pushing the boundaries of our knowledge and unlocking the secrets to our world. Many of us also appreciate beautiful prose, illustrations, sculptures and other artistic creations, capturing our imagination. In both cases, the world gains something new — a new idea, a new way to think about the world, or maybe some new inspiration for your own work. 

In January, we hosted our very first science art contest! We had three categories contestants could choose from based on their location: Davis/Sacramento, California, or out-of-state (honorable mention only). We received incredible submissions to all categories, and are excited to announce the winners!

Jayce Taylor won our local Davis/Sacramento category with her embroidery piece of a forgotten petri dish (we’ve all been there!).