Every Saturday in May, the Uni DRAW cart will transformed into a field station of the Department of Tropical Research at the Central Park Zoo, where visitors can draw from specimens and learn how ecologist William Beebe and his team of scientists worked with artists to illustrate ecosystems in South America and the Caribbean during the 1920s–1930s.
Every hour on the hour from 11am through 2pm, actors from the zoo’s Wildlife Theater Troupe recreate an historical conversation between Beebe and artist Else Bostelmann, describing techniques used in the field followed by observational drawing exercises culminating in front of the sea lion exhibit. Presented by The Drawing Center, Wildlife Conservation Society, and The Uni Project in conjunction with The Drawing Center’s exhibition, Exploratory Works: Drawings from the Department of Tropical Research Field Expeditions, on view through July 16, 2017. The Uni Project’s particpation is made possible in part with public funds from Creative Engagement, supported by New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
Illustrations by Genevieve Irwin, volunteer for the day and recent graduate from the School of Visual Arts Master’s in Illustration program. Genevieve is also a former Uni Project Artist-in-Residence.