Please don't scold me - sure, I know that this post really doesn't fit neatly onto the MadAboutMushrooms focus, but we found the contest so amazing that we wanted to share it with you.
We recently became aware of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) annual Agar Art Contest. “What is the world is that?” you ask. Actually, I have to confess that it was something new for us, too. But, now that I know of this absolutely fascinating event, it’s been pasted to my calendar for viewing in future years.
The intriguing contest was launched in 2015 and merges science with art to engage the public with microbiology and highlight the beauty and diversity of the microbial world according to the ASM’s website. Individual pieces of artwork are submitted to the ASM, all of which have been created using living, growing microbes ‘painted’ on agar.
This year there were 189 entries (including videos, songs, and even a handmade shirt) from 203 artists in 29 different countries and 27 US states. The judges assessed entries based on their creativity, artistry of design, the scientific accuracy of their description, and their accessibility to a general audience.
"The Gardener," created by Joanne Dungo from Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Northridge, CA, took 1st place in the contest. “A colleague of mine once said that a microbiologist is like a gardener. Just like a gardener uses seeds, soil, and water to grow flowers and plants, a microbiologist uses microorganisms, like bacteria and yeast, to grow them in nutrient-filled agar petri dishes," said Joanne.
"Microbial Peacock" won 2nd place. It was created by Balaram Khamari from the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Puttaparthi, India. It was created with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis.
The 3rd place winner is "Micro-Nature in a spotted eagle ray," created by by Isabel Araque and Jenny Oñate from Quito, Ecuador.
“LOBO,” by Christian Gabriel Austria Lucas from the Institute of Technical Education in Singapore, won the People's Choice award. " It was created with Staphylococcus aureus grown on Baird Parker agar.
And there are many more winners shown on the ASM’s website:
https://asm.org/Press-Releases/2020/December/Amidst-Global-Pandemic,-Agar-Art-Contest-Proves-Mi