UMASS Amherst Libraries host Images from Visual Exhibit

NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: LESLIE SCHALER, COMMUNICATION ASST., (413) 545-0162

UMASS AMHERST LIBRARIES HOSTS "Images From VISUAL"Amherst, MA - The UMass Amherst Libraries will host an exhibit "Images from VISUAL" from January 8, 2008, through April 29, 2008, in the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library in the Lederle Graduate Research Center Lowrise, Floor 2, at UMass Amherst. VISUAL (Ventures in Science Using Art Laboratory: http://www.umassvisual.org/) is an educational outreach program of the National Science Foundation supported Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at UMass Amherst. An opening reception will be held on January 22, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library. The reception will include refreshments and speakers from VISUAL. The event is free and open to the public.

Among the speakers, Al Crosby, Associate Director of Educational Outreach for MRSEC, will provide an introduction to and overview of VISUAL; Naomi Sanbria-Delong, a student, will give a presentation on her research and how the images were developed; and teacher Phyllis Vincenty will discuss the process of how the images are used in K-12 teaching.

The exhibit will feature 13, 32"x28" images selected from VISUAL's collection, each one captured during research at UMass Amherst.Accompanying each image will be a description, in non-technical terms, that explains the science behind the picture. Note cards featuring selected images will be available for sale. VISUAL is based on the premise that the visual arts can serve as an effective means to educate the general public and as students of all ages on the importance of scientific research in our everyday lives. Each captivating image is a direct experimental result from research conducted on the Amherst campus. By building on synergy between art and science, VISUAL provides a unique avenue by which both disciplines can be promoted, appreciated and encouraged.

The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center unites the efforts of 34 faculty members from six departments (Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Plant Biology, Physics, and Polymer Science andEngineering) at UMass Amherst, and has research collaborations and outreach programs with over 12 other institutions. The Center has been supported by the National Science Foundation for 29 years.

For more information, contact Danielle Kovacs at dkovacs@library.umass.edu or 545-2784, or for more information about VISUAL, contact Kathy Russell at visual@mail.pse.umass.edu or 577-1629.