A special exhibit highlighting recently excavated fossils alongside original works of art by students, faculty and staff of East Tennessee State University is now on display at the B. Carroll Reece Museum in a partnership show pairing the Reece with the ETSU Museum of Natural History and Gray Fossil Site.
Open to the public until March 29, “Artistic R-evolution: The Courtship Behavior Between Art and Science” features ancient remains unearthed at the Gray Fossil Site and artwork exploring various themes of the soon-to-be-completed ETSU Museum of Natural History – evolution, ecosystems, fossils, the environment, nature and biodiversity. Located at the site near the I-26 Gray exit, the museum opens this summer.
“Science and art are natural and complementary partners,” says Jeanne L. Zavada, Museum of Natural History director. “The museum will be a unique venue in which visitors of all ages can look at and experience our natural world from different perspectives, and this exhibit at the Reece is just a preview of what is to come. Having tapped the talent of the ETSU community in a very limited way in preparation for this exhibit, I look forward to exploring the endless possibilities for collaboration with others at ETSU and throughout the broader community.
“Many of the art students had never heard of a ‘tapir’ before, much less a tapir that is five million years old. Now, I suspect few students will ever forget the tapir or its companions in the ancient sinkhole in Gray because they were invited, and challenged, to use their imaginations to interpret the themes of the Museum and Fossil Site.”
The opening reception for the Reece exhibit will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18. Master storyteller Linda Poland will entertain during the reception. To make special arrangements for those with disabilities, call 423-439-4392.
Regular hours for the Reece Museum are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays. For museum information, visit www.etsu.edu/reece/info.asp.
The Reece is a division of the ETSU Center for Appalachian Studies and Services, a state Center of Excellence. Museum or CASS patrons may park in three designated spaces at the east end of the Reece building, after obtaining a temporary parking permit from the Department of Public Safety located at the campus entrance on University Parkway.

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