William Hamilton Gibson: Naturalist, Artist, Author

  • 20 Feb 2016
  • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Maryland Naturalist Center - 6908 Belair Road, Baltimore, 21206

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Join artist Mary Ellen Carsley for a presentation about William Hamilton Gibson. Gibson is part of a uniquely American tradition of art inspired by the natural world.  Active during the later half of the 19th century in what has been coined as the "Golden Age of American Illustration,"

Gibson's work expanded far beyond creating a visual narrative for audiences of the new and growing popular press.  As a self-taught botanist, and entomologist, he became a prolific writer on the natural world authoring over thirty books and hundreds of articles.  As a popular lecturer, he spoke not to the grand, expansive American landscape, but to the wonders of the natural world in one's own backyard.  His keen mind, patient teaching style, and his witty and warm character gave a clarity, vivacious spirit, and charm to his illustrations, making the natural world accessible to everyone.  The popularity of Gibson's work and his personal efforts made him one the founders and champions of the Green Spaces Movement.

Reexamining his works in the 21st century provides an important perspective and depth to environmental and natural sciences in America today.

Speaker: Mary Ellen Carsley, Professional Artist/Illustrator and Visual Arts Coordinator at Severn School, is an experienced professional illustrator and art instructor.  Trained initially as an architect, she later studied classical realistic drawing and painting techniques at the Schuler Atelier.  Her illustrations have appeared in Nature Conservancy Magazine, the publications of the Smithsonian Institute, and Pew Charitable Trusts as well as many other museums and research institutions, both nationally and internationally.  Her works have been included in the collections of the Library of Congress and National Building Museum.  A dedicated visual arts instructor, Mary Ellen has lectured and taught at the Carnegie Institute, Corcoran College of Art and Design, and Catholic University.  She is a member of the Walter's Art Gallery Teacher's Advisory Committee and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators and holds degrees from Catholic University of America and Johns Hopkins University.  Recently, she completed illustrations on her eighth book.

Cost: 

Prepay only at www.marylandnature.org/events

$10  Members of the Natural History Society of Maryland

$15 Non-members of the Natural History Society of Maryland

Become a member at: www.marylandnature.org