Anna Szynkiewicz: Geoscience through the Lens of Ceramic Art

September 6-28, 2024
Anna Szynkiewicz: Geoscience through the Lens of Ceramic Art
Opening reception: Friday, September 6, 5:00-9:00 PM
Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

This new collection of ceramic mosaics features geoscience investigations and discoveries in a broader context to enhance scientific understanding about natural processes among the public. In this exhibition, Anna Szynkiewicz presents artistic visualizations of geological settings investigated by the Curiosity, Spirit and Opportunity rovers on Mars as well as emphasizes the significance of clay use through time for water transport and purification. She has included mosaics made with help of University of Tennessee students who used imagination to express their knowledge gained in various Geoscience courses. The ceramic mosaics feature a variety of exciting career opportunities offered by Geoscience, including environmental, geology, water, and planetary fields.

Anna Szynkiewicz is an associate professor of geoscience in Earth & Planetary Sciences Department, University of Tennessee. She teaches geology and environmental science courses and conducts geochemical research in volcanic and desert areas on Earth that are believed to be analogous to the planet Mars. She is also a member of Mighty Mud, where she makes ceramic Martian rovers and mosaics featuring scientific topics taught in her classes and researched with her students.