GEOART: APPLICATION TO GEOSCIENCE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

Geoscientists and artists link observations of colour, shape and texture with interpretations of process over a range of spatial and temporal scales in their attempts to explain natural landscapes. Without a geoscience background, artists can face a challenge in finding an appropriate visual language to describe landscapes, although exceptional paintings often result. Artists with a background in the geosciences (or vice versa) by comparison, can add extra dimensions to paintings and other artworks through their inherent understanding of biogeoclimatic processes operating on landscapes through time and space. Geoart is an outreach initiative of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) Program that aims to increase awareness and appreciation of natural landscapes, climate change, geohazards, sustainable use of natural resources, and the role of geoscientists in society. It is an attempt to encourage educational institutions, government agencies, industries, environmental groups, communities and individuals to evaluate their relationship with Planet Earth through geoscience and art. Paintings, art cards and GSC publications are available to a range of end-users, including geoscience students, government scientists, resource explorationists, geotechnical engineers, land-use managers, terrestrial ecologists, archaeologists, geoscientists, community leaders and the public. Geoart is helping to increase the economic prosperity of northern Canada by providing critical geoscience information required for geoscience education, long-term investment, targeted exploration, sustainable development and management of new energy and mineral resources in this region.