Over the last three years, SMArt Communications Masterclasses have been educating students on artistic ways to communicate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics. Now it is time to showcase the creative works of participants.

The SMArt Communications exhibition, entitled “Creating Connections: SMArt Communications Masterclasses,” will have an opening reception on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the SoCA Gallery in the Armouries. The exhibition is co-curated by UWindsor graduate students Grace Dycha (BSc 2022) and Robyn-Jean Susko (BASc 2023).

“Overall, we are hoping to focus on showcasing the fantastic work that participants have created in these classes, as well as highlight the importance of the interconnectedness of art and science,” says Dycha, master’s student in integrative biology.

The hands-on workshops launched virtually in 2021 with the aim of building and enhancing students’ ability to communicate STEM topics through various artistic mediums. In addition to being held in person, the 2024 workshops were opened to students and members of the public and included collaborations with several community partners, including Art Windsor Essex, JEM farms, and future partner, the Windsor International Film Festival.

“In collaboration with science and engineering faculty, masterclasses are created by professors in FAHSS and teach participants how to use artistic and creative skills to enhance their communication of STEM topics,” says Dycha.

“With the guidance of professors from various fields, participants produce creative, science communication-themed pieces of artwork.”

Three faculties came together to create the workshops: science, engineering, and arts, humanities and social sciences. It received support from first a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) grant and later a one-year Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) program called the Connection Grant.

The culmination of work generated in these masterclasses in the fields of music, creative writing, drama, visual arts, creative ecologies, and film, will be on display for a week.

“This exhibit is intended to remind observers that each discipline cannot work at its full potential without the other,” Dycha says.

“We welcome guests to explore artworks created by masterclass participants and journey through SMArt Communications Masterclasses as they have transformed throughout the years.”

The project team is led by School of Creative arts instructor Jaclyn Meloche, as well as associate dean of science Dora Cavallo-Medved, Incubator lab director Jennifer Willet, engineering learning specialist Lisa Salfi, and experiential learning specialist Michelle Bondy in the Faculty of Science, along with four student research assistants.