According to Schlosser and Simonson (1998), “ Artists and scientists are thought to inhabit two distinct worlds.” Schlosser and Simonson reported a study by Root-Berstein involving 150 scientists that revealed how nonverbal forms of thought, especially visual thinking is more important to successful scientists than verbal forms of thinking.  The bond between great artists and great scientists is that they are both innovators. They create. Schlosser and Simonson also described how creativity was shared by both scientists and artists alike and resulted in an ability to take an idea or a problem and translate it into another form (such as an analogy, a model, or a picture) that can be easily mentally manipulated to gain a better understanding.

With this research in mind, 11th and 12th grade environmental science students studied and gathered information on the role of energy, the development of alternative energies that meet the consumption needs of our society while preserving the environment.  Students focused on hydro, solar, wind and geothermal forms of renewable energy for their presentations. The science students created power point presentations and shared their findings with 11th and 12th grade studio art, graphic design and advanced placement studio art students.  After listening to the environmental science student presentations, the fine art students created and designed works of art, in various media, which visualize the role of energy, and the urgency to develop new forms of energy that preserve the environment. These unique artworks produced by the Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School art students are organized into an exhibition, titled “Connections: Energy, Art and Our Environment”.

This project has been funded by BP’s A+ for Energy Program.  Special thanks go to:

Dr. Christine Melone, President and Principal of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.  Sr. Lois Bromark, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Assistant Principal, Dr. Roz Iassillo, Environmental Science Instructor and Science Department Chairperson,

Environmental Science Students, Graphic Design, Studio Art and Advanced Placement Studio Art students, Gregory Gardner, Art Department Chairperson, Ruth Harper, Studio Art Instructor, Julie Kulikauskas, Graphic Design and Studio Art Instructor, Jayne Laird Sorkis, Graphic Design, Web Design Instructor and Mother McAuley Webmaster.

Please enjoy the exhibition!

Sincerely,

Kathleen Gordon Davis

A+ for Energy Grant Recipient