For our December Science on Tap presentation, join Terry Daulton, UW Trout Lake Station volunteer and retired environmental educator for her talk, Drawing Water: Building Science Understanding through the Arts!
What happens when a group of artists and scientists explore the complexity, beauty and future of northern lakes? Beginning in June of 2010, a group of artists and scientists came together to collaborate on an environmental education project now called Drawing Water. The goal was to combine the insights of artists and scientists and create something out of the ordinary; to visualize life below the surface, travel back through time, and glimpse possible futures.
Since that time, the University of Wisconsin – Madison Center for Limnology Trout Lake Station in Boulder Junction has been fostering art/science collaborations with over 25 artist in residence. In 2022 the station launched a new initiative, bringing together teams of student artists, scientists and professional artists to work together around research topics from wild rice habitat health to fisheries. The Station teamed up with WDNR Escanaba Fisheries Research and the Lac Du Flambeau Tribal Natural Resources scientists to tailor mentoring for six student artists. The resulting art show Aquatica traveled during the spring and summer of 2024 including to the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland.
The combined work of Drawing Water can be seen at our website Drawingwater.weebly.com or at periodic shows and education events. This talk will share insights from the program, as well as broader ideas around art/science collaborations and the compelling stories and ideas that emerge when creative forces join together.
Terry Daulton’s pastel paintings reflect her deep ties to the landscape and her background as a biologist and environmental educator. Her work as a field biologist in the northwoods provides inspiration for her artwork. Daulton states, “For me painting is both personal and a teaching tool. I hope that I can help others to develop a closer relationship to the natural world and to discover their own creative energies.” Terry’s work on art/science collaborations includes interpretive exhibits, nature trail brochures, and creation and coordination of the travelling exhibition “Paradise Lost: Climate Change in the Northwoods” which was seen by over 100,000 visitors in the Midwest. She also created and coordinated the show “Drawing Water” which brought together artists and scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Limnology field station at Trout Lake. This project launched UW-Madison’s work with Ecological Reflections, a network of arts and humanities collaborations at National Science Foundation funded Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) projects across North America. She continues this work for UW as a volunteer, bringing presentations and exhibits to conferences and meetings and partnering with UW scientists on the recently established Artist in Residence program at Trout Lake. She shows her work at a number of northwoods galleries and can be contacted at
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Science on Tap happens every third Tuesday of the month at the Alley Restaurant in Ashland. There's a 30-45 minute presentation from a speaker followed by an audience Q&A. We recommend arriving early to secure your beverage/food and a seat.
Also check out other Arts events in Ashland, Fine Arts events in Ashland, Exhibitions in Ashland.
