ARTSSociety

February 28th, 2025 – Second Gallery Exhibition Launch “Innovative Impressions: The Fusion of Art & Science”

We’re excited to share the successful launch of our second gallery exhibition, Innovative Impressions: The Fusion of Art and Science, presented in collaboration with the McCaig Institute for Bone & Joint Health!

Featuring over 20 striking pieces, the exhibition celebrated the dynamic interplay between artistic expression and scientific discovery. Guests were invited to reflect, explore, and engage in thoughtful conversations inspired by this unique fusion of disciplines.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! Your presence and enthusiasm made the evening truly special. We look forward to bringing you more inspiring collaborations and events soon.

November 20th, 2024 – “Science, Music, & Bowie”

In November, we hosted a captivating event featuring Brooklyn Payne, an AUArts graduate, who delivered an insightful talk on the influence of science on the progress and innovation of 20th-century music. We were delighted to welcome over ten attendees from various generations, united by their shared passion for music, science, and David Bowie. Their active participation, thoughtful insights, and enthusiasm made the event truly engaging and intellectually stimulating.

Additional Resources:

Bibliography for references: click here

Playlist played during the presentation on Spotify

October 30th, 2024 – “ARTS Anatomy – Halloween Edition”

In October, we hosted a vibrant skeleton paint night, complete with a variety of art supplies and anatomical models including the spine, skull, heart, and even a full skeleton, Dr. Bones, himself! The event was designed to provide a calming, creative break in the midst of busy schedules, giving participants the opportunity to explore their artistic sides and create freely. We were thrilled to see about 15 attendees join us, showcasing their impressive talent—especially those who initially claimed they weren’t artists. Once again, our CSM students amazed us with their creativity and skill!

Event playlist on Spotify

July 19th, 2024 – “Impressions of the Medical Sciences Conference”

To celebrate a years worth of hard work and give UCalgary students an opportunity to showcase their talents, ARTS hosted a day-long conference titled “Impressions of the Medical Sciences” (IoMS). IoMS featured a variety of student-led talks, workshops, and networking for artists and scientists alike.

Two talented speakers from the Eastern side of Canada, Dr. WhiteFeather Hunter and Dr. Cristian Zaelzer, shared their experiences combining art and science in two riveting keynote addresses at the beginning and end of the conference, respectively. Between those events, attendees explored talks and workshops whose topics ranged from the history of art in medicine to how to write science poetry. ARTS also held a science art market and gallery viewing over the lunch period to show the multitude of ways that art and science can inspire one another.

IoMS saw over 100 attendees throughout the day, and we can’t wait to see what UCalgary members come up with for next year!

📷 Taylor Bader (PhD Student in the Swamy/Dufour Labs)

July 18th, 2024 – “Pre-Conference Trainee Lunch”

Students had an opportunity to sit down with our visiting guest speakers for “Impressions of the Medical Sciences”, Dr. Cristian Zaelzer and Dr. WhiteFeather Hunter, and pick their brains about science, art, and career paths within those fields. This lunch encouraged students to ask questions and learn from two talented researchers and artists who embody what the ARTS Society stands for.

July 17th to 18th, 2024 – “‘Science: Materiality, Emotionality, Art’ Two-Day Workshop with Dr. Cristian Zaelzer”

As part of hosting a larger conference (See “Impressions of the Medical Sciences”), Dr. Cristian Zaelzer facilitated a unique two-day workshop for UCalgary members to explore new ways of communicating science.

Participants chose a topic of their choice, ranging from animal evolution in Chernobyl to the presence of microplastics in our food, and were encouraged to think of materials that represent that story. Over the two days, participants discussed unique and untraditional ways of turning scientific papers into beautiful art.

The McCaig ARTS gallery space provided a perfect place for art and science inspiration.

April 24th, 2024 – “Seeing Art in Anatomy”

Our April event gave students a unique opportunity to visit the Advanced Technical Simulation Laboratory (ATSSL) at the Cumming School of Medicine.

The event began with a guided tour of the lab space by two trained anatomy and human biology experts. Participants were able to examine and learn from human cadaveric specimens in a safe and supportive environment. Following the tour, a lively discussion occurred in the McCaig ARTS Gallery space.

Despite the smaller nature of the event, the enthusiastic response from attendees left a big impact.

March 19th, 2024 – “Science & Fiction”

Our March event explored the vibrant intersection of “Science and Fiction”.

Dr. David Hart (Ph.D.) gave a fascinating insight into how the genre shapes real-world advancements by revealing the compelling balance between scientific literature and fiction. Meanwhile, local author and artist Ian Benke electrified the audience with his passion for science fiction, sharing his writing adventures and offering thrilling recommendations for newcomers to this genre. Their insights sparked a wave of curiosity and imagination, igniting our collective vision of science fiction’s future where boundaries blur and possibilities abound.

Attendees actively participated, sharing their insights and enthusiasm, making it a truly engaging and thought-provoking event.

March 8th, 2024 – “McCaig ARTS Gallery Launch”

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our first-ever gallery exhibition, “Science Through Art,” in partnership with the McCaig Institute for Bone & Joint Health! Held on International Women’s Day, this groundbreaking event showcased the captivating fusion of art and science. With a packed venue, the excitement was palpable from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. Featuring approximately 20 stunning art pieces, our exhibition sparked deep reflection and conversation among attendees.

Highlighting the event were three captivating speeches from McCaig Institute director Dr. Cheryl Barnabe (MD MSc FRCP), McCaig Institute researcher Dr. Antoine Dufour (PhD), and the co-founders of the ARTS Society, dear Valerie Cates and Julianna Svishchuk, each adding their unique perspective to the intersection of art and science. Plus, our organizers had the privilege of sharing insights with an International TV channel for Persian-speakers during an interview, amplifying our reach even further!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating creativity and innovation. Stay tuned for more exciting collaborations and events from our passionate team!

You can read more in UCalgary Today.

📷 Don Molyneaux & Mona Parizadeh

February 28th, 2024 – “ARTS Paints Hearts”

ARTS celebrated Hearth Month with a creative twist, indulging in a paint and canvas session. Participants were invited to unleash their artistic flair, using real human tissues as models, while listening to a heart-themed playlist created by D.J. “ChatGPT”. The unique incorporation of these materials added depth and authenticity to the artwork. Some participants kindly left their art pieces with us, later displayed at the McCaig ARTS Gallery launch (see above).

It was a heartwarming event that brought together art, science, and community in a truly memorable way.

January 29th, 2024 – “Life in Death”

In our January panel discussion, we delved into the fascinating intersection of death, art, and medicine. Our esteemed speakers included Amanda Roze des Ordons, a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary specializing in Palliative and Critical Care Medicine; Caleb Lee, a Professor of Philosophy at the UofC; Lian Willetts, an Assistant Professor at the UofC specializing in clinical anatomy; and Heather Huston, an Associate Professor in print media at the AUArts.

The event kicked off with engaging presentations from Heather and Caleb, setting the stage for an enlightening discussion moderated by Julianna Svishchuk, an MD/PhD student at the Parkins Lab at the UofC and co-founder of the ARTS. Following this stimulating conversation, Valerie Cates, a visual artist and MSc student at the McCaig Institute and co-founder of the ARTS, led a Visual Thinking Strategy Workshop. Attendees actively participated, sharing their insights on the art pieces presented. We were thrilled to see such enthusiastic interest, with a large attendee turnout for this thought-provoking event.