“PROOF: reflects an appreciation of science from an artist’s perspective. This exhibition is focused specifically on bringing to light women in the sciences; including several which have had their contributions in their fields, overshadowed by men throughout history. In honor of women’s history month nine Northwest women artists were selected to create art pieces, each based on the life and/or work of a woman scientist of their choice. Most artists have chosen scientists from history, but one of the special components of this project has been self directed collaborations by artists with living scientists.
Artists selected for this exhibition work in a variety of media and were not given any restrictions for their creations. It has been a pleasant surprise to see the works created and to discover how each work incorporated elements referencing the scientist by whom it was inspired. Works range from sculptures with moose hair inspired by the artic explorations of Louise Arner to digital pamphlets based on the studies of Maria Mitchel, a 19th century astronomer.
In the spirit of research, I wanted to give the audience a chance to learn more about the artists participating as well as the scientists. In order to accomplish this, talks were planned for each Sunday during March. Many of the artists as well as scientist collaborators are participating. Through reaching out to the community I was also able to include two local women art historians in the Sunday talks, Elizabeth Bilyeu and Julia Gardner. My hope is that viewers will come away from this exhibition with a sampling of some of the very talented women artists of the Northwest as well as a new appreciation for the many contribution that women had made in diverse fields of science”
Exhibition PROOF: Curator Lorna Nakell

ART:SCIENCE discussions every SUNDAY IN MARCH 3 TO 5PM
3/7/10 Lorna Nakell/Elizabeth Bilyeu(Art Historian): "Hypothesizing Intersections- Contemporary Women Artist, History, Science and Art."
3/14/10 Kim Hamblin/Chrystal Bell(Forensic Biologist):"Intersections: Finding the Art in Forensic Science"//Kim McKenna/ Nandina Ranganathan(Math Professor PNCA): "Sophie Germain, Cryptography and the Elusive Prime"
3/21/10 Abra Ancliffe/ Maria Mitchell(1818-1889), American Astronomer "An Explanatory and Annotated Legend and Accompanying List, Utilizing the Path of Venus as Seen from Earth to Discuss the Connections between those in Maria Mitchell's Personal Library."
3/28/10 Julia Gardner(Art Historian), Kate Copeland/Zoe Rodriquez del Rey(Graduate Student of Environmental Science PSU) "A discussion on how land based human activities impact estuarine and marine ecosystems."