Unique Perspectives: Art in Science and Medicine

Opening Reception: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 6-8pm. Free and open to the public.

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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 in communicating new discoveries in science and medicine.

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) Saraina Adam, Taylor Brown, Rebecca Bruehl, Sarah Davis, Jenna Espeseth, Darcy Lewis, Morgan Marshall, Sarah McGuinness, Brianna Monroe, Kelly Nguyen, Ushma Patel, Rachel Poli, Maddie Rice, Anri Ryan, Dani Robinson, Leo Swenson, Paul Veach, Annebelle Wang, Monica Wierzbicki, Victoria Zakrzewski

(Class of 2021) Alea Ahmadian, Mary Albert, Jer Weann Ang, Allysa Benedict, Abrielle Cacciaglia, Benjamin Colvin, Regan Falin, Emilyn Frohn, Nicole Hampshire, Katie Harvey, Malcolm Houston, Mikaela Muersch, Alex Nazlidis, Sam Palahnuk, Cathy Roop, Laura Sheehy, Nicole Shepherd, Siwen Wang, Jeni Zernick

This program is partially supported by UIC Applied Health Science’s Student Council.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.