Have you seen the new exhibit, From Nature to Knowledge: Specimens, Collections, and Drawings located on the first floor at the Ralph Brown Draughon Library? Be sure to check it out next time you are there!
This exhibit started with the AU Art and Art History professor, Dr. Daniel Esquivia Zapata’s Drawing I class. The students visited the Freeman Herbarium to sketch and draw plants from our herbarium collection. Some of the students chose to draw pictures not just of the specimens, but of also of flowers and Dr. Esquiviva Zapata had the idea to display the work in an art exhibit.
He contacted special collections at AU Libraries and worked with a curator to include botanical illustrations from historic books the University holds, some from before the 1850s! These old books could not be displayed because of the damage light would bring but you can see photocopies of the historic books at the exhibit.
Ultimately, this drawing project became an intersection of art, science, and research. Each image and object shares a common goal: they are collection of information aimed at gaining understanding.
Please visit this collaborative exhibit between the Museum, Art & Art History Department, and AU Libraries located on the first floor of at Ralph Brown Draughon Library, 231 Mell Street.