2022 September – Elizabeth Mellot | Cataloging Plant Life in Nature from the Early Botanists to Today

Please join us on September 13 at 7pm as we welcome Professor Elizabeth Mellott of Collin College. Drawing on inspiration from Master Naturalists and Botanists, Professor Mellott will speak on historic and alternative photographic methods of cataloging nature, such as the cyanotype used by 19th century botanists, and the ways of cataloging nature that botanists, naturalists and artists use today. 

Ms. Mellott is a professor of photography and teaches photography and book arts. As an artist, she crosses boundaries seamlessly, incorporating a mix of mediums. The majority of her work is alternative and sculptural, with an emphasis on photography. Conceptually she creates art pertaining to social concerns, and her current project examines our role as stewards of the environment. Elizabeth Mellott exhibits internationally with her work housed in collections including the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas and the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, Arizona.  Her presentation will include instructions on how to make cyanotypes, an early way of cataloging plant specimens before photography was invented in the 19th century. The first 25 members/visitors to sign in at the SRC will be given a packet of treated paper and instructions on how to make their own cyanotypes.

Our September meeting is scheduled to be a hybrid meeting, pending the county COVID status.  Join us in-person at 7pm on September 13th at the SRC (Science Resource Center) at the Heard Natural Science Museum in McKinney or join from the comfort of your home or office via Zoom (REGISTER NOW) .  We are planning a potluck for in-person attendees!  Look for more information about this soon.