SOUTH COUNTY — Sol Treasures has unveiled its latest hands-on exhibit called “Scientific Art” in partnership with the Greenfield Community Science Workshop, featuring a collection of interactive objects made from trash and recycled materials.
The new display, which opened June 10 and continues through July 24, consists of 30 science exhibits that range from wind machines to light prisms as well as such activities as tracking vocals on a computer and making music with flip-flops.
“It shows the important connection between art and science,” said Sonia Chapa, founder of Sol Treasures who helped bring the exhibit to the King City gallery. “Studies indicate that participation in the arts for youth contributes to development of critical thinking, problem solving, creative, innovative, social and cross-cultural skills.”
Most of the exhibits show natural phenomena in the physical world, according to Greenfield Community Science Workshop employee Curt Gabrielson. Visitors can explore electricity, magnetism and light from various angles.
“This is important because these elements of nature are used and experienced on a daily basis in our modern world, but because of their invisible and ultra-microscopic nature, it’s hard to get a direct understanding,” Gabrielson explained. “We feel that exploiting common devices, such as televisions, LCD screens, tape recorders, drills and transformers, we can bring people closer to the fundamental concepts of physics.”
The exhibits are made to be colorful as well, using paint or duct tape, to not only draw attention, but also reinvigorate the recycled materials.
“Old, faded electronics are easy to overlook or ignore, but old colorful electronics are intriguing, they inspire mystery and wonder, and invite the participant to interact and rediscover the artifacts and its function,” Gabrielson said.
Greenfield Community Science Workshop offers free hands-on science activities throughout the year for South County youth and families. The city-funded program has been in operation for more than eight years, providing a community-oriented science learning space at 45 El Camino Real in downtown Greenfield.
The Scientific Art Exhibit is the first collaboration between the Greenfield workshop and Sol Treasures.
“We just wanted to have this amazing opportunity for our students here in King City,” Chapa said.
According to Chapa, Sol Treasures is anticipating to add the science and art connection to its curriculum this fall for the upcoming school year.
In addition to the main exhibit, Marisela Dominguez from the Greenfield Community Science Workshop hosted a free “Make ’n Take” activity for children June 14 at the gallery. Dominguez showed the youth how to create “rain sticks,” musical instruments made from cardboard tubes, nails, tape and various types of beans, which they then got to take home.
Later that evening, Sol Treasures also kicked off the first of four summer concerts with the Los Vaqueros Hunting Club Traveling Band.
The next concert will be Tod Dickow and Charged Particles on Friday, July 19, followed by Jacqui Hope and David Norum on Saturday, Aug. 3, and Ricky Montijo on Friday, Aug. 30. The concert series is free to attend from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Scientific Art Exhibit is open to the public during regular hours at Sol Treasures, 519 Broadway St., in King City. Classes are also invited to tour the exhibit, but reservations are required by calling the gallery at 831-386-9809.
“Come on down and check it out. It’s fun for adults and it’s fun for children,” Chapa said. “Everyone is having fun.”
