ID: 613 / 124

Category: Symposia

Track: Pending

Proposed Symposium Title: INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES IN THE VISUAL ARTS AND THE BOTANICAL SCIENCES

Abstract: Art and botanical science have had a long history of entanglement, from traditional practices using plant materials, to botanical illustration, to inspiration for poetry, prose, and song. The union of these fields has recently seen new interest with the related increase of interest in science communication. Much of the discourse around science art has centered around producing art for outreach and for teaching, but it can also be an important avenue to being a better scientist and more fulfilled person. In this symposium, we aim to highlight scientists who have merged science and art in their practice, and in the process have innovated the ways in which they communicate with others and how they see their own scientific work. Alongside featuring projects which re-define how science can be conceptualized and portrayed, we want to explore scientists’ intrinsic motivations for doing art and celebrate the ways they bring their whole selves to their work.

Speaker 1: Dr. Alejandra Gandolfo Cornell University mag4@cornell.edu "Teaching Plant Anatomy using art"

Speaker 2: Nicolette Sipperly Stonybrook University nicolette.sipperly@stonybrook.edu "The Importance of Commitment to Engaging in Creative Processes"

Speaker 3: Ashley Hamersma University of Florida ahamersma@ufl.edu "How Do We Learn to Love Learning? Using Art and Creativity to Facilitate Paleobotanical Outreach"

Topics (Up to three): Education and Outreach

Topic 2: Botanical History

Topic 3: Paleobotany

Justification: We believe there will be sufficient audience interest in the topic of art as a method of science communication and scientific development given increased engagement and visibility of creative pursuits and interests within the scientific community. A workshop on this topic at the Botanical Society of America's Botany 2022 conference was well-attended and received, and a similar one is being prepared for Botany 2023. We hope by expanding our representation outside North America we can encourage collaboration and inspiration within the larger plant science community.