CWU TO HELP DISPLAY THE GOOD SIDE OF MOTHS

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Considered pests by many, moths have become the passion of Joseph Scheer, a printmaking professor at Alfred (New York) University and founder and co-director of the university's Institute for Electronic Arts.

A self-acknowledged flight enthusiast, Scheer has been taking photos for a number of years, with the original plan to develop an exhibition that focused, in general, on flying insects. However, because of the appreciation he gained for their appearance, he soon narrowed his focus to moths. That led to "Night Flyers," an exhibit of large-format prints, high-definition video and "sound prints" of more than 1,000 moth species.

It is on display now through October 28 at Ellensburg's Gallery One Visual Arts Center. The exhibition is sponsored by the Central Washington University College of the Sciences (COTS) and College of Arts and Humanities (CAH), CWU art department, CWU Foundation, Bi-Mart, Suncadia, Yakima Federal Savings and Loan, and Washington State Arts Commission.

On Thursday, Oct. 5, Scheer will talk about his work during a free, public 7 p.m. presentation in the CWU science building auditorium. On Friday, Oct. 6, he will visit some CWU art classes and meet with students. Then from 5 to 7 p.m., an artist reception will be held in Gallery One at which Scheer will sign copies of his books, "Night Visions: The Secret Designs of Moths" and the fine art book "Night Flyers," based on his art exhibition.

"It's rare for art and science to come together in a way so delightfully stimulating to the eye," says Dr. Marji Morgan, CAH dean. "Scheer's exhibition is a visual and technological tour-de-force."

Generally considered drab and colorless, as compared to butterflies, Scheer brings out the moths' subtleties and surprising variety of color and textures.

"Scheer's exquisite work speaks to both the artist and the scientist, who share a deep understanding of the powerful aesthetic of the natural world," adds Dr. M. Meghan Miller, COTS dean.

It has been said that people are drawn to Scheer's works like moths to a light, pun intended. His photos been published in National Geographic, Forbes, Nature and The New York Times, and displayed across the U.S. and internationally.

Also in the planning stage is a film, which would capture moths in flight. In the meantime, Scheer has continued to expand his collection, with overseas trips to photograph exotic moth species.

More information about his Gallery One exhibition is available online at http://www.gallery-one.org.