The Art of Microscopy

Gary is a lifelong scientist, scientific instrument designer, guitar builder, microscopist, and educator. He enjoys building solid body electric guitars in his free time, teaching science, and machine shop methods. Early in his career he taught hundreds of professional scientists the application of polarized light microscopy in chemical and materials analysis.

Jess Holz (b. 1985) creates artworks that give the viewer a peek into invisible worlds, as well as a chance to reflect on the influence of scientific visual culture on our collective imagination. She received an MFA in Art+Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; she has worked in several labs and imaging facilities, gaining valuable technical experience with a number of microscopic imaging techniques. She currently works as an electron microscopy research fellow at a Boston University lab which investigates the neural circuitry underlying thought and emotion. The discrepancy between what can be perceived by the eye and what is imaged by the microscope has fostered her fascination with perceptual systems along with the optical properties of materials. Jess actively exploits this in photography and installation.

Course Description: Dive into the world of microscopy. Learn the basics, then explore the microworld in-depth with a course co-taught by microscopist/artist Jess Holz, and Gary Valaskovic, an expert in polarization and chemical microscopy. In this course you will learn the best practices, plus tips and tricks for adapting your own microscope for both science and art with an array of DIY techniques. After covering basic optics, Gary will guide you through the fascinating topic of polarization microscopy of crystals, which turns simple chemical reactions on a slide into dazzling abstract forms with psychedelic colors. Jess will then let you explore the colorful life and biodiversity of local ponds and waterways up-close with the microscopy of plankton; but, with a twist, using chronophotography (timelapse) revealing trails and paths of these tiny creatures as they swim on the slide. In Jess’ art, plankton are her ‘collaborators’, she will guide you in capturing timelapse photos and videos of plankton behavior on the slide. All students will have an Olympus CH30 microscope provided for their use during the course, along with Jess’ research-grade Leica DMRB Microscope equipped with DIC, phase contrast, and fluorescence.

The materials fee for this class is $35. This is separate from the ticket price and is to reimburse the instructor for any tools or materials used in this class. This will be paid once, directly to the instructor at the start of the first class meeting. This instructor accepts payments in cash or through Paypal or Venmo.

- Students will learn how microscopes work, and will leave the course knowing the functions of each part of the light microscope and how it impacts image quality and contrast. Students will learn how to properly set up illumination on any microscope to give the best results.

- How to modify any microscope for cross-polarized illumination, darkfield illumination, and Rheinberg illumination, and how to use these advanced techniques to create stunning images and movies that have color, contrast, and depth.

- Learn the basics of specimen preparation to maximize the visual and photographic experience for both living and non-living subjects.

- How to create colorful photographs of crystals grown on a slide using readily available materials.

- How to observe plankton with a microscope: this course will give you an introduction to basic identification of microscopic pond life, and you will use timelapse microscopy (‘Plankton Painting’) to create stunning works of art that visualize these tiny creatures’ dynamic movements and behavior.

Microscope slides and #1.5 coverslips, pipettes, kimwipes, tweezers, dissecting needles, polarizing sheets, nitrile gloves, compounds/chemicals for crystallization, glass rods, colored filters for Rheinberg illumination, 3d printed universal phone adapter for photographing through the eyepiece, 3d printed darkfield inserts.

The materials fee also covers printer ink + one sheet of 11x17" Hahnemühle photo rag metallic archival inkjet paper for a print of your favorite photo taken during the class.

- Safety glasses (we can also provide these).

- Smartphone for picture taking.

- Phone charger, just in case.

- If you have your own microscope, feel free to bring it to the class for guidance/orientation.

- Optional: if you are interested in beta testing Jess's Plankton Painting software to do timelapse microscopy on your own with your phone or other camera, please bring a laptop to class. Please note not all laptop platforms are supported yet. More details on this will be provided via email before the start of class.

Students must be 16 years old or older; All students under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies Here.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

*Sales end 4 hours before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.

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