The “Textured Birds” exhibit features works by students at Tualatin Valley Junior Academy in Hillsboro, Oregon. Under the guidance of art teacher Toni Kahler, each student chose a bird species to study from among the Cornell Lab's research and citizen science projects. In addition to learning about each species' biology and conservation, the students created these beautiful pieces of art. They used paint and gel to create textured surfaces that rise off the canvas and bring an extra sense of realism, life, and motion to each likeness. 

While the students were creating these fantastic paintings, they were motivated in science class through BirdSleuth lessons with science teacher Phil Kahler. The students participated in citizen science counts at their school's bird blind, as the have for over a decade. 

As one student said, "The experience was very cool. I had never heard of the Superb Starling until I started working on this project. I think it is a beautiful bird and very unique. Now I care about birds and actually notice them!" Another seventh-grade student, Kiana, says, "When I found out scientists were studying these birds, I wondered what they did all the way over in New York. I would love to go and study birds with them."

“Textured Birds” will remain on exhibit through December 15. 

See the class website for a behind-the-scenes look at the students' creative process and the evolution of their paintings. To see each image, stop by the Lab for an in-person look or click here to view them online.  If you are interested in purchasing any of the portraits, see this page.

—Thank you to the student artists for sharing their work: Suzie Bardeles, Kim Cheung, Troy Danielson, Elaina Davis, Konrad Dick, Emily Fitch, Chelsea Fritzler, Karisa Ing, Nathan Jump, Ian King, Taylor King, Lizl Lamera, Oscar Lopez-Bucio, Nicole McGuire, Jessica Nelson, Kasiha Pattee, Melinda Swanson, Kiana Villegas, and Su You.