Ruby Fridays: The Art of a Scientist

Drop by the Ruby at noon on Friday for a casual art talk and free lunch! Speakers include Duke faculty and students who have produced work during a Rubenstein Arts Center arts project residency, as well as visiting artists and local NC creatives. Learn about the behind-the-scenes aspect of the creative process, careers in the arts, and more.

A couple of years ago, Ariana Eily, Casey Lindberg, and Hannah Devens—three graduate students in biology and biomedical sciences at Duke—hatched a “hair-brained fantasy scheme”—to curate an exhibit of science as art for the general public. That scheme became a reality last summer in Gallery 235 in the Ruby, when their Art of a Scientist exhibition brought the work of 22 scientists together with visual responses by 13 local artists. The exhibition was organized under the auspices of Duke INSPIRE.

The exhibition was a great success and also a fascinating experience. It brought out unique contributions from both artists and scientists. The work, and the stories behind it, sparked great discussions. And the show generated an overwhelming amount of attention from the public that came in surprising forms.

Join Eily for lunch and a look behind the scenes of this remarkable collaboration. She’ll share some of her favorite moments as well as the challenges and lessons learned.