Exhibit connects art and nature

The McHenry County Conservation District invites you to view "Capturing the Essence: Connecting People and Nature Through Art," a juried exhibit of works by members of the Great Lakes Chapter of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.

The exhibit will be on display June 13 to July 31 at Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Route 31 and Harts Road, Ringwood, with an artist reception from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 14. This exhibit is free and is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

They may be drawing a mighty oak or the mouth parts of an insect that dwells upon it. Regardless of the scope of work, the emphasis is on accuracy in portraying the subject matter. While a creative artist is permitted and even expected to take artistic liberties with his or her subject, the scientific illustrator must strive for representational accuracy. In addition, a scientific illustrator should have sufficient understanding of the subject matter so that the illustration appears natural and lifelike rather than mechanical. Their accurate renderings are designed for reproduction in professional or popular journals in the field of natural sciences, in textbooks, as museum exhibits, and in many other applications.

Members of the Great Lakes Chapter work with scientists, publishers, universities, botanic gardens and museums, and since one of their goals is to be an educational resource, many also teach through these entities. These artists are strongly connected to the natural world and are excited to share their knowledge with others. Don't miss your chance to meet some of the artists whose works are featured in this exhibit and learn more about the field of natural science illustration at a reception in their honor from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 14.

Some of the artists use traditional mediums such as pencil, watercolor, and ink, while some are all digital artists and many combine the two. Works in this exhibit will be any two-dimensional medium except photography and all will be of plants, animals, habitats or other natural subjects from Illinois or the Midwest.

For information call Prairieview Education Center at (815) 479-5779 or visit MCCDistrict.org.