LECTURES & WORKSHOPS

LECTURE SUBJECTS INCLUDE:

Interfaces of Art and Science. This is a true interdisciplinary program with art and science woven organically into each other. The artist will discuss such projects as the public art piece she created, “Soil: Alive with Life” and the extensive scientific research that went into creating it. Sharon brings these vital microorganisms alive with humorous and interesting stories. Sharon will also present the art and research that went into creating Mysteries of the Marsh, a permanent exhibit at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

She will also present her art work inspired by her many expeditions and collaborations with scientists,Including one to the Peruvian Amazon with the Field Museum and Conservation International, another to Brazilian Amazon where she documented the lifeways of the Yanomami people and also recently to another area of Peru where she went hunting for rare orchids with John Janovec, who started Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Program and Eric Christensen , orchid expert. The whole presentation features her art work in many mediums including, ceramic, glass and bronze in the sculptural realm and watercolors on antique ledger paper, art prints and collages. Sharon can also give in depth lectures on particular Science and Art subjects such as:

“The Yanonmami” Indigenous People’s of the Venezuelan and Brazilian Rainforest that Sharon spent time with and created related bodies of artwork “Amazonian Expedtions” In this lecture Sharon can focus in more depth upon her participation as artist on 5 Scientific Expedtions to the Brazilian, Venezuelan and Peruvian Amazon. She can also cover more specifically any of the art fields she is an expert in, such as bronze casting, glass casting, ceramic sculpture, printmaking, watercolor and working in the field, or any combination of these.





Please contact Sharon to schedule a speaking engagement. She is comfortable with speaking to all ages and levels, from children to graduate level courses. A hand on work shop can also be added to the initial inspiring presentation. For example at De Paul she facilitated a drawing workshop where students drew from her bronze sculptures and preserved scientific specimens such as, turtles, fish, shells and more.

Workshops can also include sculpting in self hardening clay, wax or ceramic that is fired if there are facilities for such work.

TEACHING, LECTURES & VISITING ARTIST EXPERIENCES

Lectures at De Paul University, “Interfaces of Art, Science and Nature”, Graduate Level and Undergraduate, 2013

Speaker at the International Sculpture Conference, Art and Science Collaborations, 2012

Wild Things Conference, Lecture about Openlands Public Art Project, 2010

Artist in Residence, Workshops, Lectures and Exhibition, McHenry County College, 2012

SEA (Self Employment in the Art) Conference, Lecture and Student portfolio Critiques, North Central College, 2011

Barrington High School, Juror and Lecture, Barrington, Il, 2005

South Suburban College, Keynote address for Arts Conference,2001

Visiting Artist, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL. 2000

Artist in Residence, Glenbrook South High School, Glenview, IL.1999

Visiting Artist and Lectures, School of the Art Institute, Chicago, IL. 1994-2009

Instructor, Art and Science in the Woods, Sun Foundation, Peoria, IL. 1998 -2012

Sculpture Instructor, The Arts Center, Highland Park, IL. 1996