We are delighted to announce that registration is now open for the first two events of the British Art Network seminar series, Art Science Nature.

Colchester and Ipswich Museums have been awarded bursary funding from the British Art Network to devise and deliver this series of four seminars.
The events are open to members of NatSCA (the Natural Sciences Collections Association) as well as the British Art Network, to promote the opportunity for sharing knowledge across networks.

The events are free, and include lunch and refreshments. Spaces are limited, with advance registration essential.

To register for one or both of the first two sessions, please visit the Eventbrite page here: https://banartsciencenature.eventbrite.co.uk

The Foundation of Art and Science
16 January 2020, 10:30 – 16:00 | Ipswich Museum

The first seminar in the Art Science Nature series will explore the early foundations of Ipswich Museum and how key scientists and artists contributed to its creation. It will provide an opportunity to begin discussions on how art, science and nature play an integral part in museum collections. There will be talks on: John Stevens Henslow - Darwin’s tutor - and his botanical illustrations; how to catalogue an extensive collection of fungi watercolours; and the art of depicting birds and how to exhibit them. The day will also include a chance to look at the natural history displays in Ipswich Museum and artworks from the stores.

Confirmed speakers: Emma Roodhouse, Colchester and Ipswich Museums; Kate Riddington, Colchester and Ipswich Museums; Francesca Vanke, Norfolk Museums Service; Donna Young, Liverpool Museums; More speakers to be confirmed...

Drawing on Life: Natural History Illustration
24 January 2020, 10:30 – 16:00 | Ipswich Art Gallery

Many museums have artworks that depict the natural world, plant and animal life. The seminar will focus on different approaches to the research, display and interpretation of these collections. There will be a chance to hear from contemporary botanical artists, curators and researchers, as well as to visit Art Forms in Nature, a new exhibition at Ipswich Art Gallery that brings together historical natural history illustration, photography and contemporary drawing.

Confirmed speakers: Gillian Barlow, Chelsea Physic Garden; Guy William Eves, Artist; Chrissie Lightfoot, Artist. More speakers to be confirmed...

Registration will soon be opened for the second two sessions, with further information to follow:
The Art of Taxidermy
24 February 2020, 10:30 – 16:00 | Firstsite, Colchester 
Ecology of Art
24 March 2020, times tbc | Flatford