Natural History: Hello, Weather! Workshop

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 30, 2009

Las Vegas - The changing climate is one of the most significant global events of our time. What can we do to understand this complex problem better? In this art/science workshop, Dr. Dave DuBois of DRI presents cutting-edge research into monitoring and modeling air quality in the region and Goldwell Open Air Museum technology artists Andrea Polli and Chuck Varga present the Hello, Weather! project, a series of networked weather stations at art centers and museums nationwide inviting participants of all ages to explore weather and climate as a starting point for creative expression.

Dr. DuBois currently holds the position of Assistant Research Air Quality Scientist in the Division of Atmospheric Sciences, where he conducts research in the field or air quality. In his present position, Dr. DuBois is actively working on a Western Regional Air Partnership funded study to understand the causes of haze in Class I areas in the west. Dr. DuBois' research interests and specialties include the design and evaluation of air quality networks, applications of GIS to air quality problems, atmospheric dispersion modeling, remote sensing of trace gases and aerosols and satellite remote sensing.

Andrea Polli www.andreapolli.com is an artist, Associate Professor in Fine Arts and Engineering and Director of Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media at The University of New Mexico.  Polli's work has been presented widely in venues including the Whitney Museum of American Art Artport and The Field Museum of Natural History and has been reviewed by the Los Angeles Times, Art in America, Art News and others. In 2007/2008, she spent seven weeks living in Antarctica.  www.90degreessouth.org

In 1985, Chuck Varga  joined with a group of five like-minded individuals and founded the theatrical rock band GWAR. Varga created the character Sexicutioner, who starred in eight major productions of GWAR that toured the US and Europe in over 1000 shows. He also wrote scripts, designed and built costumes and sets, wrote and designed over a dozen graphic stories for the GWAR comic, and co-authored two feature-length films and received two Grammy nominations.

Event Details:
Sunday, August 2 from 1 - 4 p.m.
Springs Preserve
Classroom A, Desert Living Center
Free with general admission and for Annual Pass members.
Pre-registration advised. Call Springs Preserve Adult Education at 702-822-7786.