Reflections on Darwin

November 1, 2009–January 10, 2010

The Robert & Elaine Stein Galleries will celebrate the 150th anniversary of, On the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin's controversial book about the theory of evolution as well as the 200th anniversary of his birth. To commemorate Darwin and the significance of the theory of evolution on our culture, Reflections on Darwin includes artists’ exploration through various contemporary art practices the ideas behind evolution and its impact on today’s society.

The exhibition will feature Alison Carey, Jo Whaley, John Bavaro, Tracy Hicks and Catherine Chalmers. Carey currently resides in Chicago, IL and is assistant professor at Columbia College Chicago. Photographer, Jo Whaley has exhibited works from around the globe, and has lasting roots to the San Francisco Bay Area. Bavaro is an artist and educator at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he is the Gallery Director at Bruce Gallery. Hicks resides in Dallas, Texas, and works investigating objects preserved in museums, in our homes and in public spaces. Chalmers is a video artist, photographer, writer, and resides in New York.

Reflections on Darwin will be connected to the STEAM3 grant (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Music, Math, & Medicine), which was made possible by Dr. Edgar Hardy and his foundation. Part of the STEAM3 grant is the class “Teaching Science Though Music & Art” where art, music, math and science education students learn about the connections between each of their disciplines and how to teach an interdisciplinary science or math based unit. Students are involved in team projects, online research, in class discussions, and school visitations, intended to broaden their understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary education.

The exhibitions opening reception will coincide with the Presidential Lecture Series event, featuring J.D. Talasek. Talasek is the Director of Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences (CPNAS) a program that is focused on the exploration of intersections between, science, medicine, technology, and visual culture. Talasek will be a guest speaker for the class as well as giving a lecture entitled “Art is the Science Institution” Thursday, November 5th at 7:00 p.m. The lecture will be held in the Schuster Concert Hall, Creative Arts Center. This is a free lecture open to the public.

The exhibition and related programs is supported by STEAM3 Initiative, Office of the President, Ohio Arts Council, Friends of the Galleries, and Wright State’s College of Liberal Arts.

Gallery hours are Wednesday and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All visitor parking areas on campus are free, and parking at the Creative Arts Center is unrestricted after 4pm Friday and on the weekends. A dedicated parking space for galleries patrons is available during school hours. All Galleries events are free and open to the public.

For more information on upcoming events and exhibitions or for driving directions, please contact the galleries at (937) 775-2978 or visit our website, http://www.wright.edu/artgalleries.