The Start of a New Era: The Next 100 Years of Biomedical Visualization

The International Museum of Surgical Science (IMSS) is pleased to present the new exhibition, The Start of a New Era. The exhibition will open on Mar. 31, 2022, and run through May 1, 2022. The Museum will host an opening reception on Mar. 31, 2022, from 6-8 p.m. that is free and open to the public.

Advances in computer graphics and imaging are generating new opportunities to aid in understanding the rapidly evolving discoveries in both science and healthcare. Masters students in the University of Illinois at Chicago Biomedical Visualization Program (BVIS) strive to harness these advancements through visual communication. The Student Association of Medical Artists (SAMA) organizes and curates the work for the SAMA Art Exhibition each year. This exhibition is an opportunity for first and second-year BVIS students to display their current works of art that are both beautiful and accurate in scientific detail. These pieces feature a wide array of scientific and medical subjects targeting audiences diverse in education, age, and occupation. Oftentimes, these works begin on paper and are then taken into digital media to become professional illustrations, graphic designs, animations, or interactive applications. The broad range of work that BVIS graduate students create is an integral part of communicating new discoveries in science and medicine. This year is particularly exciting for BVIS as we are celebrating our program’s centennial. 

About the Biomedical Visualization Graduate Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago: Founded in 1921 by Professor Thomas Smith Jones, the Biomedical Visualization program (BVIS) at the University of Illinois at Chicago is the second oldest accredited school of its kind and one of only four accredited graduate programs in North America providing professional training for careers in the visual communication of life science, medicine, and healthcare. With a renowned faculty and a curriculum that keeps pace with advances in science and technology, UIC’s Biomedical Visualization program attracts graduate students from a variety of disciplines including medicine, life science, art, sculpture, digital media, and computer science.

About the Student Association of Medical Artists at the University of Illinois at Chicago: The Student Association of Medical Artists (SAMA) was founded in 2006 by students of the Biomedical Visualization graduate program (BVIS) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The goal of SAMA is to enhance professional development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the quality of student life at UIC by giving students access to the support and information they need to be successful. SAMA holds regular meetings, assists with the orientation and mentoring of new students, connects current students with alumni, and hosts social and service events to help educate young students in the Chicagoland community about the field of Biomedical Visualization. Organized by SAMA, the annual SAMA Art Exhibition is an opportunity for all current BVIS students to share their work with the community and foster new innovation in the field.

Participating Artists: (Class of 2020) Sydney Agger, Ana Beiriger, Shiyu (Dorothy) Chen, Olivia De Kok, Ben Halverson, Yu-Sin Huang, Anne Hughes, Xiaotian (Ivy) Jiao, Hailey Jorgensen, Natalie Krug, Yilin Li, Marli Markovitz, Delaney Maxwell, Hannah Montague, Ryan Nini, Allison Pardieck, Sara Rutkowski, Shelby Saboo, Maryam Shabbir, Brenna Tremp, Kayla Vasquez

(Class of 2021) Luca Brunozzi, Caroline Chatfield, Odelia Cheng, April Damon, Nina Eckstein, Lauren Elder, Sofia Garcia Martinez, Amy Hoang, Madeleine Howell-Moroney, Dalena Huynh, Aven Jones, Hannah Koffman, SoYoung Kwon, Clara Lee, Joseph Majalca, Laurel Moore, Lauren Muskara, Delilah Przybyla, Sydney Sieh-Takata, Eliza Stierle, Katherine Tran

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About the Contemporary Art Program: This exhibition is presented as part of the Museum’s Contemporary Art Program, “Anatomy in the Gallery.” The Museum supports a commitment to contemporary art and artists through exhibitions and programs that use the frame of contemporary artistic practice to examine new perspectives in surgical science and our relationship to the body.

About the Museum: The International Museum of Surgical Science, a Division of the International College of Surgeons, was founded in 1954 by Dr. Max Thorek. The Museum is committed to enriching lives by enhancing an appreciation and understanding of the history, development and advances in surgery and related subjects in health and medicine. The Museum is located in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, and is housed in a historic lake-shore mansion designed in the early 20th century by Howard Van Doren Shaw. 

General Information: The International Museum of Surgical Science: 1524. N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL - 60610; tel. 312.642.6502; on the web at www.imss.org and info@imss.org.

Hours and Admission: The exhibition will be open Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., except for most major holidays. Admission rates are $17 for adults and $13 for students, educators, military members and seniors, with ID. Tuesdays are free for Illinois Residents with proof of residency.