Science Loves Art is a local nonprofit organization with the goal to support local artists while bringing a collaboration of science and art to the community through events and programs. Uniting scientists and artists around Wyoming, this nonprofit reaches out to Laramie community members, rural Wyoming communities, and at-risk youth around the state.
Rene Williams, a local artist as well as the Founder and President of Science Loves Art, had the idea for this nonprofit organization six years ago. Rene began teaming up with scientists around Laramie to create art exhibits and projects. Science Loves Art became a nonprofit officially in the summer of 2018, when they were able to begin writing grants and raising money for their mission.
“Our main mission is to bring art and science together through experiences, discoveries, workshops, and pop-up art exhibits,” Rene explains. “We try to make ourselves available to artists. That includes visual artists, musicians, theatre performers, and also scientists that want to collaborate and bring their message to the public in interesting and creative ways.”
Science Loves Art focuses on helping rural communities and at-risk youth, with the goal to expose young people to scientific ideas and artistic expression. Some of the groups they work with include The Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Cathedral Home, The Crisis Center, The Albany County Public Library, and public schools across Wyoming.
In 2017, Rene purchased a piece of property in Downtown Laramie, and a part of that property has been turned into a studio where Science Loves Art is now based. 4th Street Studios, as it is called, is located on 315 South 4th Street, Downtown Laramie. “Science Loves Art is a bridge between the University community, and the downtown community, and the public in general. It’s also a bridge between scientists all over Wyoming to the people of Wyoming,” Rene says.
Science Loves Art wrote a proposal for a University of Wyoming grant which was then accepted to create Science Loves Art kits. These kits are mailed to young people around Wyoming, and they include a combined science and art project that all ages can enjoy. Kits can also be purchased as gifts, for personal use, or for schools and groups from the Science Loves Art website at: https://www.sciencelovesart.org/sla-store
“This isn’t really the normal way that science is presented, science is usually presented through traditional methods,” Rene says. “With scientists becoming more interested in reaching the general public, they’re trying to be more creative with how they get their message out…It’s now more at a level that the community can understand and be interested in.”
Donors to Science Loves Art can choose specifically where they would like their donation to go, choosing a cause or a certain school where they would like Science Loves Art to focus their efforts. To donate to or volunteer with Science Loves Art, please visit: https://www.sciencelovesart.org/supporters
If artists or scientists are interested in collaborating with Science Loves Art, they can contact Rene Williams directly at: info@sciencelovesart.org
For more information on the nonprofit and its services, please visit their website at: https://www.sciencelovesart.org/science-loves-art