MDI Science Café to tackle the issue of man-made debris by inspiring creativity

BAR HARBOR, MAINE – The “From Debris to Art: The Intersection of Art and Science” will be the topic of the MDI Science Café on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 5:00 pm.

Anna Farrell, manager of MDI Biological Laboratory’s Community Environmental Health Lab and eco-artist Mariah Reading will share how this community-based citizen science project is raising awareness of the impact of man-made debris, including micro-plastics, on the environment while encouraging people to find their creative voice by using trash to create art.

Participants collect coastal debris, record observations – including where and when the debris was found – and share images of the resulting artwork in an online gallery hosted on Anecdata.org, a unique citizen science platform developed by the MDI Biological Laboratory. The online gallery includes videos and images from lead artist Mariah Reading illustratating her artistic process and guiding participants in making their own unique art. The project is open to anyone and can be joined at: https://www.anecdata.org/projects/view/737

“From Debris to Art” is made possible through the generous support of the Onion Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation based in Maine. Their mission is to encourage conservation and stewardship of the natural environment and to promote music and the arts in the state of Maine.

Those wishing to attend this online event are asked to register in advance at mdibl.org/events.