Nearly 200 faculty, students and people from the community turned out for the opening reception October 7, 2016, to show their support for SPARK, a yearlong celebration of arts and science at OSU that launched this fall and continues through August 2017.
College of Science Dean Sastry G. Pantula welcomed the crowd and championed the collaborative initiative between the Colleges of Science, Education, Liberal Arts, Honors College, the OSU Library and Press and the Division of Outreach and Engagement.
"SPARK shows the tremendous strength and support for collaboration across the arts and science, which advances OSU’s strategic goal of creating transformative learning experiences for all Oregonians," said Pantula. "Through SPARK, we can explore the work that crosses these boundaries and creates positive change in the world."
In addition to food and wine, people enjoyed a new piece of art from OSU alumna and artist Abigail Losli ('16) created while on a research cruise with scientists on the Pacific Ocean. The artwork, which made its debut at the SPARK reception, is called, "Five Days at Sea." In this water series, Abigail examined patterns of movement in water and was able to explore themes of change and rest.
Attendees had the chance to win free OSU football tickets, SPARK T-shirts, membership to the Portland Art Museum and an annual pass to OMSI.
Through SPARK, OSU hopes to elevate the relationship between the arts and science, their critical interplay with each other, and the rich partnerships and collaborations that make it all possible.
