Art After Dark
Art After Dark is an educational program for adults (+18) of evening workshops where art meets natural history. We'll explore botanical illustration, scientific sketching, nature journaling, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, gyotaku, and many other artistic techniques using specimens from the museum’s collections as your models. Enjoy refreshments and guided activities designed to spark creativity and reflection. These intimate, after-hours sessions invite artists of all levels to connect, create, and see nature’s beauty in a whole new way.
Conserving Aquatic Life: From Repositories to Gyotaku
📅 Thursday, February 12th | 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 LSU Museum of Natural Science - Foster Hall
🎟️ Register here: https://lsu.formstack.com/forms/art_after_dark_conserving_aquatic_life
Join AGGRC's Associate Director Dr. Jack Koch and Louisiana-based artist Susan David for a Special Art after Dark exploring how aquatic species are studied, preserved in germplasm repositories, and reimagined through the traditional art of gyotaku fish printing. Learn about protecting aquatic biodiversity while experiencing how art and science intersect to deepen our understnding of life beneath the water's surface. An inspiring after-hours program for art lovers, science enthusiasts, and curious minds alike.
Big thank-you to our guest speakers and the LSU Family Council for funding this event!
Brushstrokes of Flight and Hope: Celebrating the Whooping Crane through Art and Science
📅 Thursday, December 4th | 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 LSU Museum of Natural Science - Foster Hall
🎟️ Register here: https://lsu.formstack.com/forms/art_after_dark_brushtrokes_of_flight
Join us for Brushstrokes of Flight and Hope: Celebrating the Whooping Crane through Art and Science, an interdisciplinary workshop that honors the delicate harmony between science and creativity.
Hosted around the LSUMNS Whooping Crane Exhibit, this event invites participants to explore the story of one of North America’s most iconic and endangered birds. Through a blend of scientific insight and artistic expression, we’ll reflect on the resilience, beauty, and ecological importance of the whooping crane.
Our program will feature guest speakers from the International Crane Organization, who will share the latest conservation efforts and the inspiring journey of these remarkable birds. Following the talk, attendees will take part in a guided watercolor session by Dr. Callie Smith, LSU Museum of Art Educator and Public Programs Manager, creating artwork inspired by the exhibit and the cranes’ powerful symbolism of renewal and hope.
This gathering, sponsored by the LSU Family Council as well as the LSU VetMed School, is designed to foster connection across disciplines, bringing together students, researchers, artists, and community members to celebrate the intersection of art, science, and environmental stewardship.
Nature in Verse
📅 Thursday, November 6th | 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 LSU Museum of Natural Science - Foster Hall
🎟️ Register here: https://lsu.formstack.com/forms/art_after_dark_nature_in_verse
Immerse yourself in an evening where poetry and the natural world come together!
Join the LSU Museum of Natural Science on November 6 at 5 PM for a creative exploration of nature through writing and visual expression. This special installment of the Naturally Talented Program invites participants to:
🖋️ Write original poetry, guided by Adam Clay, Director of the LSU Creative Writing
program.
🦊 Learn about wildlife conservation through The Canid Project.
📚 Discover resources and inspiration from the East Baton Rouge Parish Library.
Whether you’re an artist, a writer, or simply a nature lover, this event is designed to spark your creativity and connect you with others who share your passion for the natural world.
From Harm to Art: Papermaking with Invasive Plants
📅 Thursday, October 2 | 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 LSU Museum of Natural Science - Foster Hall
Join us for the launch of the Naturally Talented Program with our first Art After Dark workshop. On Thursday, October 2nd, we'll explore the theme of botany and printmaking, featuring special guests from the Herbarium alongside artist Leslie Koptcho and her talented students.
The evening will open with a conversation on invasive species in Louisiana, their impact on local ecosystems, and the creative possibilities they inspire. Leslie will share her innovative research on papermaking with invasive plants, followed by a hands-on workshop where participants can experiment with papermaking fibers and create their own screen-printed poster to take home.
Light refreshments will be provided. Admission is free, and on-campus parking is available after 4:30 PM.
Come discover how science and art meet on the page—and leave with your own nature-inspired print!
Selection of natural fibers.
– Photo credit: Leslie Koptcho
Paper samples.
– Photo credit: Leslie Koptcho
