Join us for an inspiring evening where we explore the fascinating intersection of art and science. This event will spotlight how creativity and curiosity transcend disciplines, showcasing artists who draw inspiration from scientific inquiry and scientists who incorporate artistic practices into their work. Discover how these unique perspectives enrich our understanding of the world and ignite imagination.

DRI Storyteller:

Tiffany Pereira is an ecologist and scientific illustrator specializing in the flora and fauna of the desert southwest. She has more than 11 years of experience specializing in natural resource management, wildlife management, threatened and endangered species management and springs and seeps management.

As both a researcher and artist, she is also interested in graphic design and illustration for science communication. She provides these services, along with outreach and educational services to DRI and local agencies. She has completed illustration commissions for the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, research publications, and private entities.

Featured Speaker: 

Jessica Oreck often says that she collect the invisible. Not the magical, science-fiction version, but the stuff of life that is so commonplace, it has receded below our collective conscious awareness. Working across film, animation, collage, photography, miniatures, and large-scale installation, all of her work strives to create a sense of wonder about those invisible, overlooked aspects of the everyday.

In 2021, Jessica opened a museum in Las Vegas, NV called the Office of Collection & Design. It is devoted to the minuscule, the forgotten, and the discarded. It is essentially a 1000 square-foot installation – a palpable, interactive manifestation of nostalgia. Visitors have described the museum as “a mix of your grandparent’s attic and Hogwarts Castle.” And have said the collections themselves are “wondrous,” “magical,” “charming,” and “full of unexpected life.” It has been featured everywhere from Colossal to Atlas Obscura. Through the museum, Jessica present various associated traveling exhibits, installations, and workshops around the US.

The Office of Collecting & Design also doubles as both an animation studio and a prop house for her work in film and animation. Two of Jessica’s bite-sized, animated series were commissioned by TED, and more are underway for a soon-to- launch children’s network. Jessica’s films have been shown at festivals including Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca Film Festival as well playing theatrically around the world. The Criterion Collection recently hosted a retrospective of her documentary features.

When not making films, Jessica spends her time collecting – and these days – sharing those collections with visitors from around the world.

Thank you to our community partner Nevada Humanities