Hatfield Marine Science Center is home to some amazing artwork, and we welcome the public to take a tour.
Recently, rotating exhibits have been featured at the Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building (GVMSB). The current exhibit, Turtle Wisdom: Personal, Political, Playful, features work by renowned Oregon artist Betty LaDuke. It will be on display through June 2024. The public is welcome to enjoy these works for free in the GVMSB, which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
LaDuke writes on her website about how this exhibit evolved, "Slowly, as we emerged from our COVID isolation (2021), my doorway opened and 20 TURTLES gradually appeared in my Ashland, Oregon studio. While some TURTLES have been waiting for me in sketchbooks created decades ago in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, new ones now evolved. TURTLES became my symbolic storytellers, commenting on the events currently reshaping our lives."
LaDuke's paintings, books, and numerous exhibitions draw inspiration from the immersive exploration of cultural diversity around the world, with an emphasis on women's creative contributions, women's work in food production, and social change.
Her work can be found in noteworthy collections across Oregon, including the Portland Art Museum, Schneider Museum of Art, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Oregon State University, Medford Airport, and the Oregon State Capitol. Visit her website to view more samples of her work and learn about her prestigious career. The video below is about LaDuke and her long career.
You can also view the entire permanent Hatfield art collection or the Guin Library Art Collection online or in person. These art pieces were purchased through gifts from generous supporters and from the state mandate that 1% of the direct construction cost be used for art in public buildings.