An art show held in conjunction with the
21st North American Prairie Conference, Winona, MinnesotaOpenings:
Tuesday August 5
5:00–6:30 pm, Paul Watkins Gallery
Watkins Hall, Winona State University
Corner of King and Winona Streets6:30–8:00 pm, Winona Arts Center
228 East Fifth St.Show: August 5 through September 20, 2008
The show contains the work of members of Project Art for Nature. Sales benefit the Scientific and Natural Areas Program of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Gallery hours at Winona Arts Center, Fifth and Franklin, are Wednesdays, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Fridays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The Paul Watkins Gallery is open Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:00PM, Wednesdays until 8:00PM. The Watkins Gallery will be closed August 11-15.
Previous recipients of PAN show proceeds have been:
- Scientific and Natural Areas Program, Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources
- State Natural Areas, Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources
- Kinnickinnic River Land Trust, River Falls, WI
- Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley MN
MEETING PRAIRIE AND RIVER THROUGH DRAWING
Two Workshops Integrating Art and Science
Vera Ming Wong and Mary Coughlan, Instructors
Winona State University
North American Prairie Conference Pre-Conference WorkshopsDRAWING CLOSER TO THE PRAIRIE
Fri, 1 August 2008 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Sat, 2 August 2008 8:00 am – 8:30 pm (w/ lunch & dinner breaks)Explore the many faces of the prairie through the process of drawing! Using exercises that engage our senses, we'll build and polish the skills involved in choosing and creating the lines, shapes. contrasts and balance that form a visual vocabulary for artists and scientists. Whether you're intimidated by drawing, need skills for visual note-taking as a scientist, or adept at art, this interdisciplinary workshop will enhance your observation skills, build hand-eye coordination, and deepen your intimate appreciation of prairie botany and ecology. Will include tour and drawing time at Prairie Moon Nursery. Transportation on your own, or carpool.
DRAWING ALONG THE RIVER
Sun, 3 August 2008 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Mon, 4 August 2008 8:00 am – 6:00 pmWater flowing by the prairie invites visual exploration of constant change. In this interdisciplinary workshop, we'll apply skills from the previous workshop to a visual investigation of the forces, physics and species that link highlands and lowlands, dry goat prairie and soggy wet prairie. Participants from the first workshop and others with basic or advanced art experience are welcome to join this exploration of light and color; form and perspective; and reflection and refraction, as tools for delving into the complex relationships between water, geology and prairies. Transportation on your own, or carpool.
Questions about workshop content: vera@arakunem-arts.com
To Register for either or both Workshops: Outreach and Continuing Education, Winona State University Mail Registration: Winona State Outreach & Cont Education Somsen 109 P.O. Box 5838 Winona MN 55987 By Phone: 507.457.5080
For more information: www.winona.edu/oced
$125 per workshop; $155 per workshop w/1 CEU credit (per workshop)EQUIPMENT:
Please dress appropriately for the weather, as some drawing will be outdoors (en plein air).
Bring your favorite portable art supplies. We suggest:
Drawing Equipment:
Pencil (woodcase #2, mechanical HB or B, or your favorite)
Sketchbook (9” x 12”)
Other portable art supplies you already have (e.g., watercolors, color pencils, etc).
Bag for carrying equipment in field.
Optional: Sketchbook Making: Materials Fee $5 - $8.Outdoor Equipment & Clothing:
Wide-brimmed Hat
Light-colored, light-weight pants and shirt (recommend long sleeves)
Walking &/or Water Shoes (w/ socks)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen lotion
Insect Repellent
Water Bottle
Light-weight stool/chair
Field Guides (Prairie &/or Wetland Plants & Animals)
BinocularsINSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Vera Ming Wong, B.A. Biology, Swarthmore College; B.F.A. Studio Arts, University of Minnesota. Vera enjoys creating artworks that challenge her to learn more about the plants, animals and ecological relationships that she illustrates, and entices viewers to look more closely at nature. Her illustrations appear in books and magazines published by conservation organizations and educators, including Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources; and in educational exhibits in museums and nature centers.
Vera currently teaches in the Botanical and Zoological Art and Illustration Program, which she co-founded at Como Conservatory and Zoo; and has taught children and adults with ArtStart, both in St Paul, MN. She also teaches drawing workshops for naturalists and educators through various venues, including Hamline University's Rivers Institute. As founder of Project Art for Nature, Vera guides a group of independent and collaborating artists as they create and share artwork to encourage the protection, restoration and re-connection of natural areas. She is a member of Guild of Natural Science Illustrators and Minnesota Naturalists Association.Mary Coughlan, M.F.A. Studio Arts, University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts, with a focus in Printmaking. Mary teaches drawing, printmaking and a course she designed, “Drawing for the Sciences”, at Winona State University. She is also Director of the Watkins Gallery this year, is active in Winona Art Center, and is a member of Project Art for Nature.
Creating and sharing art to educate and inspire communities to preserve, restore,
and reconnect natural ecosystems.
Past exhibits
"Unbidden Gardens" June 1– September 1, 2007
at Reedy Gallery, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Blvd., Chaska, MN"Presence, Essence, Absence" May 30 – July 7, 2007
River Falls Public Library, Kleinspell Gallery, 140 Union Street, River Falls, WI"Presence, Essence, Absence" February 10 – May 27, 2007
Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN
TO TAKE A TOUR OF BELL MUSEUM EXHIBIT CLICK HERE"Crossing Rivers" May 16 – June 24, 2006
Minnesota Valley NAtional Wildlife Refuge Center, 3815 American Blvd. E, Bloomington, MN"Wild Reflections" March 25 – April 24, 2006
Gallery of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, 345 Cedar St, St Paul, MNOctober 10 – 11, 2003
Selected Works St Paul Art CrawlOctober 3 – 17, 2003
Unity One Federal Credit Union, Suite 179, Galtier Plaza, 380 Jackson Street, St Paul, MNSeptember 18 – October 31, 2003
River Falls Public Library, Kleinpell Gallery, Riverfalls, WI
June 21 – August 31, 2003
Bell Museum of Natural History, Minneapolis, MN
Background
Inspiration for PAN came from the Copper River Delta exhibit, hosted by Bell Museum of Natural History in 2000. A select international group of artists gathered at Copper River to learn about and create artwork extolling this vast ecosystem, devastated by the notorious Exxon Valdez oil spill. Their artwork, exhibited throughout the world, alerted the public to the beauty of this distant place, inspired us to protect it, and raised funds to support the restoration of the natural and native human communities of the Delta.Current Project
Recognizing that areas of spectacular natural beauty close to home are also in need of preservation and restoration, 17 visual artists have chosen to work locally and regionally. Individually chosen sites include public and private lands and waters in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Through deep observation and unique creative processes, PAN artists will explore the native plant and animal communities within their sites. The artworks they create will highlight natural gems of, or threats to, prairie, forest, wetland or savannah. Whether protected, in need of maintenance or restoration, or surviving through benign neglect, these areas provide diminishing habitat for precious native flora and fauna. The exhibition of PAN artwork will offer the public an intimate view of what we all stand to lose, but hope to preserve.