Students Learn Drawing is Having 'Affection to Observation'

Sitting cross-legged in the Atrium, Lower and Upper School students sat transfixed by a series of sketches and watercolor paintings detailing plant life and wildlife being projected onto a screen.

The intricate and colorful renderings were created by Field Museum artist-in-residence Peggy Macnamara, who worked with LFCDS students as part of the school’s second-annual Dave Genger Scientist-in-Residence Week.

Scientist-in-Residence Week was named in memory of Dave Genger, former chair of the Science Department and head of Upper School at LFCDS. Genger"s passion for teaching and excellence was perfectly paired with his ability to create moments of deep learning filled with lightness and laughter.

“We knew a wonderful way to incorporate Dave’s memory into the fabric of the school would be to inaugurate an exciting child-centered program in his honor,” said current Head of School Michael Robinson.

Macnamara, who has the distinction of being the sole artist-in-residence at Chicago’s Field Museum, fit in seamlessly with the goal of the Scientist-in-Residence program. Her history with the Museum began in the late 1980s, when she would visit the various exhibits, simply sketching what she saw. After more than a decade of making the Museum her studio, she was offered a position by the head of the conservation department, which led to her current post. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Chicago’s School of the Art Institute.

After Macnamara’s presentation, she moved into Upper School classrooms and worked with students on capturing scientific observations of plant life and wildlife in their own drawings and watercolors. In talking to the students, Macnamara stressed close inspection and patience as the basis of creating her artwork.

“Observing nature has taught me how to create art, and in turn, the artistic process reflects many basic scientific truths about nature,” she said. “All of my work begins as a simple drawing, and then I start adding layers. With each layer I get closer to what I want, and with each layer, I make a lot of mistakes. It’s not that I know anything more than you do. It’s not about talent – it’s about having affection for observation.”

Macnamara’s visit culminated in a special Field Museum invite for the LFCDS seventh-grade class. At the end of April, the students were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum – with Macnamara herself leading them through the Zoology exhibit. Within the exhibit is a rare insect that has a LFCDS connection – a pink katydid found by former LFCDS student Sean Bonser when he was in Junior Kindergarten.

Mark Arthur, chair of the Science Department and Upper School science teacher, hopes the School can eventually expand the Scientist-in-Residence program.

“I’d really love for someone to work with the students for a month, or become immersed in our curriculum," Arthur said. “It would give students a more well-rounded view of what working in science can mean.”

The Scientist-in-Residence Week ended with a “Solarbration” – the study and celebration of solar energy. The Solarbration kicked off with a ribbon-cutting and dedication of the School’s own solar panel, which was installed last year.

The panel was completely government-funded with the help of two grants – $8,000 from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, an independent foundation that seeks to advance the development of renewable energy resources throughout Illinois, and a $1,000 grant from the Solar Star Foundation, an organization that works with youth to improve environmental quality nationwide.

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