Henry David Thoreau said, lakes are "Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." For many people, lakes are a touchstone. Few people feel this connection as intimately as those who dedicate their lives to studying lake ecosystems. The collaboration between artists and scientists at UW-Trout Lake Station in Drawing Water seeks to explore the relationships between aquatic ecosystems and changing biophysical setting, climate, and land use. Through this atmosphere of discovery, Drawing Water allows for a deeper understanding of the complex, beautiful systems of the Northern Highland lakes.
Art and Science Mentoring
Beginning in 2022, a new partnership between Scientists, Artists, and Students is forming. This program, Drawing Water: Engaging Community through Art and Science in Northern Wisconsin, is made possible through a Baldwin Wisconsin Idea grant. The goal of the art and science collaboration is to demonstrate the beauty of the natural world and the scientific process; bridge communication and interest for varied groups of people; and encourage the next generation to link art and science to generate a richer and wider value system.
Partners at Trout Lake Station, Lac du Flambeau Tribal Natural Resources Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources Northern Highland Fishery Research Area, and local artists will be mentoring student interns to work at the boundary of art and science, offer educational opportunities to the community, and improve their craft. The summer includes a two day middle-school art camp planned by the interns in conjunction with the North Lakeland Discovery Center. A traveling exhibit will take place in the summer of 2024 to highlight the work that the scientists, artists, and students have accomplished.
Partners at Trout Lake Station, Lac du Flambeau Tribal Natural Resources Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources Northern Highland Fishery Research Area, and local artists will be mentoring student interns to work at the boundary of art and science, offer educational opportunities to the community, and improve their craft. The summer includes a two day middle-school art camp planned by the interns in conjunction with the North Lakeland Discovery Center. A traveling exhibit will take place in the summer of 2024 to highlight the work that the scientists, artists, and students have accomplished.
Artists in Residence
Since 2013 Trout Lake Station has been welcoming artists to work alongside scientists and students. Each year we select 3-5 artists who visit the station and work with our scientists and students, creating work along the boundaries of arts and sciences. Staying for up to 2 weeks, the artists explore area lakes and rivers, visit research sites, and learn about scientific work and methods. Scientists and students gain insights into the artists' creative processes and perspectives. Collaborative work across the arts and sciences is encouraged and artwork is shared with the public. In some ways, this work provides a catalog of human responses to science, change, and the lakes and rivers of our region both for current and future generations enjoyment and learning.
Exhibitions
Aquatica: Reflections on Wisconsin Lakes
Traveling through Wisconsin in 2024, the newest exhibition features the works of six student artists and six professional art mentors who worked with scientists at the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Natural Resources Department, Trout Lake Station, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Drawing Water
Drawing Water began as a traveling art and science exhibit in which six artists and six scientists joined to explore the complexity, beauty, and future of northern lakes. The project expanded to include periodic exhibits, our artist in residency program, collaborations with other art/science programs, and occasional programs for the public and youth.
Paradise Lost? Climate Change in the Northwoods
Paradise Lost? Climate Change in the Northwoods was the first art/science exhibition involving Trout lake Station staff. Funded by a Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Award 2006, it brought together twenty artists, six scientists and numerous educators to create a traveling exhibition exploring the art and science of climate change. The exhibit traveled between 2006 and 2008, to 15 locations with over 100,000 visitors in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan.
Traveling through Wisconsin in 2024, the newest exhibition features the works of six student artists and six professional art mentors who worked with scientists at the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Natural Resources Department, Trout Lake Station, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Drawing Water
Drawing Water began as a traveling art and science exhibit in which six artists and six scientists joined to explore the complexity, beauty, and future of northern lakes. The project expanded to include periodic exhibits, our artist in residency program, collaborations with other art/science programs, and occasional programs for the public and youth.
Paradise Lost? Climate Change in the Northwoods
Paradise Lost? Climate Change in the Northwoods was the first art/science exhibition involving Trout lake Station staff. Funded by a Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Award 2006, it brought together twenty artists, six scientists and numerous educators to create a traveling exhibition exploring the art and science of climate change. The exhibit traveled between 2006 and 2008, to 15 locations with over 100,000 visitors in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan.
