EUGENE–"Sight & INSight," an exhibit of the work of 24 Oregon scientific illustrators that shows the harmonious union of science and art, will open April 10 at the University of Oregon Museum of Natural History, 1680 E. 15th Ave.

The new gallery show, as well as a series of related lectures, classes and family events, will continue through Dec. 23.

Noted scientific illustrator Elaine R.S. Hodges will give the opening lecture, "Eyes on Science," at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, in Room 175 of the Knight Law Center, 1515 Agate St. The lecture, and the reception that follows at 7 p.m. in the museum lobby, is free and open to the public.

"Although my specimens are under the microscope, I approach them as I do subjects of fine art portraiture," Hodges says.

A scientific illustrator for more than 31 years, Hodges retired from Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., in 1996. Now a resident of Eugene, she is a founding member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators and is the editor of the craft bible, "The Guild Handbook of Scientific Illustration."

In addition to Hodges, nationally known illustrators in the exhibit include Lawrence McQueen of Eugene, whose bird illustrations have been published in National Wildlife, Animal Kingdom and Audubon magazines, and Mark Hallett of Salem, whose illustrations of prehistoric life have been used in the design of Jurassic Park, in National Geographic and in many museums, books and articles.

Other Oregon artists whose work is part of the exhibit include Sue Allen, Kristine Blodget, Charlotte Brown, Annie Cannon, Brittany M. Degner, Scylla Earls, Andrea Foust, Jay Fullmer, Barbara Gleason, Bonnie Hall, Joel Ito, Robin Markovits Jensen, Rick Jones, Kristine Kirkeby, Lynn H. Kitagawa, Karen Pidgeon, Andrew Sudkamp, Steve Tyree and Lori Vaskalis.

Two local students also will show their work in the exhibit. Noah Strycker, a 15-year- old high school student from Creswell, will show pen-and-ink drawings of birds. Deanna Dartt, a UO anthropology undergraduate and member of the Chumash tribe of southern California, will show her archaeological drawings.

"We are lucky to have such a number and variety of scientific illustrators in this small state," says exhibit designer Cynthia Budlong. "There seems to be something about Oregon, its natural variety and beauty, that attracts talented artists who are also naturalists. All of our exhibitors combine incredible technical skill and keen observational skills, with a fine artistic sense."

Both Hodges and fellow exhibitor Kristine Kirkeby will teach classes on scientific illustration techniques at the museum in April and May. Kirkeby is a natural science and children’s book illustrator, and is the past international president of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.

Hodges will teach "Painting with Pencil" on April 28. Kirkeby will teach "Drawing Nature," for elementary and middle school students, on May 5 and "Stippling the Wild Asparagus," field sketching for high school students and adults, on May 19.

All classes run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., vary in cost from $30 to $37 and require preregistration. To register, call (541) 346-3024.

From noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, a scientific illustration "Technique Boutique" family day at the museum will offer demonstrations and activities by five of the exhibiting artists:

• Barbara Gleason, a bird illustrator, will demonstrate computer enhancement of illustrations using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.

• Elaine Hodges will show the carbon dust technique, which creates a soft, detailed photographic effect.

• Kristine Kirkeby will present the scratchboard technique, which gives a "reverse " image of white lines on dark background.

• Andrew Sudkamp, a wildlife illustrator, will show younger participants how to draw with geometric shapes.

• Rick Jones, a marine wildlife illustrator, will work on a watercolor painting and lead participants in a project that requires "no drawing skills at all!"

Cost for the "Technique Boutique" is $2 per person or $5 per family. Current UO students and museum members will be admitted free.

Museum of Natural History exhibits and the museum store are open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday on the UO campus near the corner of East 15th Avenue and Agate Street, behind the Knight Law Center. Free parking is available in front of the museum with a permit from the front desk. Regular admission is by $2 donation, with UO students and museum members admitted free.

For information about the "Sight & INSight" exhibit and related events, visit <http://natural-history.uoregon.edu/> on the web, call (541) 346-3024, or send e-mail to <mnh@oregon.uoregon.
edu>. For a 24-hours-a-day taped message about museum exhibits and activities, call GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone, 485-2000, ext. 3447.

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