Purdue Galleries helps celebrate 100 years of Entomology at Purdue
February 13, 2013
 |
|
Arwin
Provonsha, Dytiscus
fasciventris (Predaceous Diving Beetle), acrylic paint,
Prismacolor pencil, graphite, ink on illustration board. |
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. –Purdue University Galleries on March 4 will open a new exhibit featuring various artworks, all with subject matter well known to attendees of Purdue's annual Bug Bowl.
"On Six Legs: 100 Years of Insect Art and Science" will be presented through April 21 in Stewart Center's Robert L. Ringel Gallery.
This marks the 100th year of Purdue's Department of Entomology. To recognize the milestone, this exhibit will feature a collection of insect-centric artworks in the department, such as photography, representative works from the annual Bug Bowl art competition, insect illustrations by staff scientific illustrator Arwin Provonsha, cartoon art, and period posters from the department collection.
The exhibition will feature a diverse collection in a salon-style display. The J.J. Davis Cartoon Art Collection was assembled by professor John J. Davis over many years through his efforts to obtain original insect-related cartoons in magazines and newspapers from the artists themselves. Provonsha has been with the department since 1971, serving as curator of the Purdue Entomological Research Collections, a taxonomist, and as a scientific illustrator. He has produced more than 10,000 original insect illustrations for publication in scientific papers and 12 books. The Bug Bowl art collection features representative pieces chosen from the annual Bug Bowl Art Contest, which sees thousands of entries every year from K-12 students across the country.
On March 21 the Department of Entomology and Purdue Galleries will host several events in connection with the exhibition. A pre-lecture reception will be held from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Robert L. Ringel Gallery in Stewart Center to welcome Entomology Centennial Seminar guest lecturer May Berenbaum of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Berenbaum will present a Centennial Spring Seminar at 3:45 pm in Pfendler Hall's Deans Auditorium. At 5:30 p.m., the Galleries will present an opening reception celebrating the "On Six Legs" exhibition in the Robert L. Ringel Gallery in Stewart Center.
 |
|
R.E. Snodgrass, The
Purdue Apple, pen and
ink cartoon. |
For a full listing of the Entomology Centennial seminars, go to: https://ag.purdue.edu/entm/pages/seminars.aspx
On April 13, Purdue Galleries and Purdue Theatre will collaborate to present a hands-on activity at Purdue's Spring Fest. Participants will make contributions to the decoration of a large insect costume, which will be used to parade around the Purdue Memorial Mall several times throughout the day in keeping with Bug Bowl festivities.
Also that day, the Department of Entomology, in collaboration with the Department of Theatre and the Honors College, will present "The Insect Play" by Karel and Josef Capek at 7:30 p.m. in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. Originally published in 1921, in Czechoslovakia, "The Insect Play" incorporates elements of fable, revue and satire, ensuring its appeal to a general audience and making it appropriate for all ages. The Ringel Gallery will be open until 8 p.m. that evening to accommodate attendees. Preview performances will take place in Pao Hall at the Carole and Gordon Mallett Theatre on the Purdue campus at 7:30 p.m. April 9 and 10. Admission to the performances is free, but attendees must have a ticket. Tickets will be available in the Department of Entomology's main office in Room 100 of Smith Hall. For more information, call 765-494-4554.
The Robert L. Ringel Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays; and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. All Purdue Galleries exhibitions and events are free and open to the public.
For class and group visits, contact Craig Martin at Purdue Galleries at 765-494-3061. For more information, visit http://www.purdue.edu/galleries
Contact: Craig Martin, 765-494-3061, cdmartin@purdue.edu
