Press Release:
Annual Meeting of the LTER Science Council to display diatom artwork by Florida artists group
Manhattan, Kansas (May 7th, 2014). The Konza Prairie Biological Station will host the annual meeting of the Long-Term Ecological Research Network Science Council, which includes all North American and Antarctica LTER sites, from May 10th through the 16th.
A first at this meeting will be the presentation of a special exhibit on diatoms of South Florida by the Tropical Botanic Artists collective, of Miami, Florida. The exhibition features 17 portraits of diatoms found in the Florida Coastal Everglades LTER area, from Central Florida to Biscayne and Florida Bays. The exhibit is the result of the collaboration by this group with Dr. Evelyn Gaiser, Professor at the Department of Biological Science & Southeast Environmental Research, Florida International University, and Principal Investigator for the local LTER. Dr. Gaiser will be representing the Florida Coastal Everglades LTER at the Konza meeting.
By artistically depicting various genera of diatoms, the artists have hoped to create public awareness about the importance of these microscopic, one-celled aquatic organisms, to the global ecosystem. Diatoms are not only valuable indicators of changes that take place in the environment, but also, by providing food for a wide range of aquatic life, they are responsible for 25% of global primary O2 production, which is more than the rain forests, and 40% of global O2 production, critical to support all animal life on the planet. Their importance in not only limited to the environment, since they also play a significant role in agriculture, industry and even in the arts, where their beauty and uniqueness have inspired artists in every possible branch of the arts, as is the case with this exhibit.
There will be 17 artists displaying South Florida diatoms in 12” x 12” frames:
Margie Bauer Kristi Bettendorf Beverly Borland Silvia Bota
Marjorie Brown Marie Chaney Jeanie Daniel Duck
Julio J. Figueroa Bobbi Garber Pauline A. Goldsmith Leo Hernandez
Kathleen Konicek-Moran Carol Ann Lane Elsa Nadal
Laurie Richardson Donna Torres Jedda Wong
The Tropical Botanic Artists collective was established in Miami, Florida, in 2006 to highlight the beauty of tropical plants through art. Its members come from all walks of life and each brings a unique viewpoint to his or her work. They share a love of the natural world and that fascination is reflected in their art. They hope that viewers will take a moment to observe and enjoy the wonders of Nature and bring that enjoyment into everyday life.
Tropical Botanic Artists News 2014