The practical applications of biotechnology are often a focus in realms of academia, industry, and research, but some artists are using these traditionally pragmatic tools as a medium for expression. Bioart allows practitioners to communicate new scientific ideas to the public and develop knowledge and empathy for the ethical, social, and emotional dynamics related to these biological applications. How can aspiring bioartists cultivate their own practices, and what are the avenues for pursuing a career in bioart?

Join Angela McQuillan, curator and owner of Chimaera Gallery in Philadelphia, and exhibiting artist and technologist Nora Gibson as they discuss their experiences developing their own bioart careers and the pathways available to aspiring bioartists from both a curatorial and practice perspective.

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April 19th from 12:00 PM ET - 1:00 PM ET

Webinar Link: Included in RSVP confirmation and shared the day before/morning of the event

About the Speakers

Angela McQuillan, a Philadelphia-based Artist, Designer and Curator, merges the realms of art and science in her creative endeavors. With A B.S. in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin, a B.F.A. in Painting and Drawing from Tyler School of Art, and an M.P.S. in Creative Entrepreneurship, Angela brings a unique perspective honed over a decade-long career in scientific and creative exploration, spanning academia, pharmaceuticals and arts administration.

A former member of both the Little Berlin and Grizzly Grizzly artist collectives, Angela's influence extends beyond her individual practice. For nine years, she served as the Curator of the Esther Klein Gallery in Philadelphia, a role where she left an indelible mark by co-founding the University City Science Center BioArt Residency in 2017 and spearheading its direction for five years.

Angela's curatorial projects have garnered recognition and support from prestigious institutions such as the Knight Foundation, Dolfinger McMahon, The Philadelphia Foundation, and The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage. With over 50 curated art exhibitions under her belt, Angela's commitment to showcasing groundbreaking work is unwavering. Currently, Angela is the proud owner of Chimaera Gallery nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of East Falls, Philadelphia. Her artistic contributions have earned accolades and featured placements in distinguished publications including The New York Times, Forbes, and SciArt in America.

Nora Gibson trained at Baltimore School for the Arts under Sylvester Campbell of the Dutch National Ballet. She began her professional career at 13 with Path Dance Company, and earned a BFA from Tisch, at NYU.

Through Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet, a 10 year project celebrating collaborations between ballet and STEM fields, her work was commissioned by universities and developed through residencies in the US and abroad. Inspired to explore deeper questions about the body, in 2018, she began integrating technology into her work. Through this expanded practice, Gibson facilitates research-creation around the body-mind, selfhood, and experience through the creation of immersive/interactive work and dome projection.

She will complete her MFA in Intermedia from Concordia University in Montreal Spring 2024, where her immersive work was underpinned by her research in consciousness and connection. During Gibson’s internship at the Biosignal Interactive & Personhood Technologies Lab, a neuroscience lab at McGill University, she researched physiological markers of interpersonal synchrony in relation to aesthetic experiences which fortified the inspiration behind her physiologically interactive installation and sound pieces. She has taught dance and new media practices at universities in the US and Canada. Her work is represented by Chimera Gallery in Philadelphia.