Senior Arts: Scientific Illustration with Amelia Pruiett

Senior Visual Arts classes are typically offered on the first and third Wednesday of each month beginning at 1:00pm at the City of Marquette Arts & Culture Center, located in the lower level of Peter White Public Library.

NOTE: April’s classes will be held on the second and fourth Wednesdays instead of the first and third.

March classes feature Scientific Illustration, taught by local artist Amelia Pruiett! April dates are the 13th and 27th.

Scientific Illustration is art used to better convey and record scientific observations and phenomena. It can be used to depict cycles, layers, timelines, and systems (carbon cycle, geological layers, development stages, human circulatory system, etc.) for cohesive interpretation. Scientific Illustration can also help visualize sciences that are unobservable to the average student (microbiology or astrophysics) or it can compile observable data into detailed recordings that have a cohesive style, thus easier to compare. This is an advantage of scientific illustration over photography, the position of the animal is up to the artist and thus can remain consistent in comparing species. (Sibley Birds). Field Drawing is a form of Scientific illustration and is focused on recording general shape observations and highlighting certain details of an immediately observable phenomena rather than referencing multiple visual sources and communicating specific scientific descriptions and findings.

This two-hour class will introduce a brief overview of Scientific Illustration and its relationship with Field Drawing. The chosen phenomena we will be capturing with our scientific illustration will be the life cycle of the Blue Spotted Salamander. There are three major stages: Egg, Aquatic Larvae, and Terrestrial Adult. We will use reference photos to draw each of these stages using techniques to ensure biological accuracy (utilizing tracing paper, proportion techniques, texture in illustrations and color reference). The students will then choose an aspect of the salamander to convey visually via a choice of three different scientific description sheets (egg matrix, purpose of costal grooves, depiction of prey) – Students will have the option to bring home the other sheets if they run out of time and want to do more.

Amelia Pruiett, teacher, has held an interest in nature drawing her entire life.  In grade school she focused her field drawing techniques through phenology journaling (observational study that culminates into data that informs the study of seasonal changes). In college, at NMU, she adapted that practice of phenology journaling to a study of its effect on connection to nature which then culminated in a presentation at the National Honors Conference. Amelia was also able to develop a nature journaling class for a local homeschool program during her time at NMU as an internship for the Student Leader Fellowship Program. Post-graduation she has refocused on scientific illustration via a study of birds. www.ameliapruiett.com hosts her catalogue of highly detailed digital illustrations, scientific based narratives, and the ongoing naturalist series that showcases range maps and “in flight” visual depictions.

These classes are free to City of Marquette, Chocolay Township, Powell Township, and Marquette Township residents ages 55+. All others ages 55+ are welcome to attend for a small donation of $5 per class to help cover the cost of supplies.

Reserve your spot by calling Tristan at (906) 225-8655 or emailing tluoma@marquettemi.gov. The same class will be offered on both dates, so please only sign up for one or the other. No prior artistic experience necessary.

NOTE: Classes tend to fill up quickly. In the event that a class is at capacity, we encourage you to join a wait list; we’ll get in touch prior to the class if any spots open up.