Jill Pelto

Statement

I am an artist and science communicator whose paintings reflect my climate science background, and I am the Art Director of the North Cascade Glacier Climate Project. I directly incorporate scientific data to engage diverse audiences in ways that are relevant and impactful. My work has been featured on the cover of in TIME, online at Smithsonian, and on PBS News Hour. I use my artwork extensively in education and outreach, and I have worked with over 150 K-12 classrooms to bring my data-art curriculum to students. I am currently based in Washington State.

Education

  • University of Maine, Orono, Maine — M.S. Earth and Climate Science, 2018. Produced a thesis on the stability of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and conducted two field seasons in the Antarctic

  • University of Maine, Orono, Maine — B.A. Studio Art, B.A. Earth and Climate Science, 2015. Produced senior Honors thesis combining the two degrees, showcase science data-art and an accompanying thesis paper.

Outreach and Collaboration

  • Selected Science Collaboration: 2023-Present, Consultant on a Career NSF Grant with Dr. Emily Beverly of the University of Houston. This has involved field research in New Mexico and will include the creation of new artworks and an outreach program, all communicating Dr. Beverly’s research.

  • Selected School Visits: The Nueva School, California, 2023; Silverton School, Colorado, 2022; Chewonki Environmental School, Maine, 2021.

  • Selected Teacher Workshops: Shelburne Farms Education, 2023; Friends of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Maine Department of Education, Maine, 2022.

    1. Student Workshops: Peabody Essex Museum, Massachusetts

    2. Teacher Workshop: iWonder Student Led Science, Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance.

    3. School Visit: Westside Neighborhood School, California.

    1. Two Teacher Workshops: Shelburne Farms Education (nonprofit), Learning Ecosystems Northeast

    2. School Visit: Week-long data art project in Silverton, Colorado

    3. Panel Event: Union of Concerned Scientists, 2022

    4. Workshop for Educators: Climate Data Art, Friends of Maine Coastal Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Maine Department of Education

5th Grade data art created in April 2023, using a graph about Monterey Bay bull kelp population, done in Cristina Veresan’s classroom.

Exhibitions

  1. Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, 2022-2023; Climate Action: Inspiring Change, Group exhibitor

  2. Engine Gallery, Biddeford, Maine, 2022; Imagine Climate, Solo exhibition

  3. Maine Coastal Islands Gallery, Rockland, Maine, 2021, Solo exhibition

  4. “In the Ruins of the Anthropocene” Group exhibitor: Ellsworth Gallery, New Mexico (Dec-Feb, 2019)

  5. “Tipping Point: Artists Address Climate Change” Guest panelist and group exhibitor: Rockland Center for the Arts, New York (Mar-May, 2018)

  6. “Glaciogenic” Guest exhibitor: Kootenay Gallery of Art, B.C., Canada (Mar-Apr, 2018)

Experiences

  • Professional Painter and Science Communicator; Richland, Washington — 2014-Present

    • Create environmental art inspired by science data, Develop outreach curriculum for students of all ages and, work consistently in classrooms, Collaborate with nonprofits to lead teacher workshops.

  • Art Director: North Cascades Glacier Climate Project; Richland, Washington— 2020-Present

    • Organize and lead annual glacier fieldwork, involved in all aspects of logistics and have been a member since 2009. Find and bring on artists to join the team and to create artwork and other forms of science-communication.

  • Barista, Elements: Books, Coffee, Beer; Biddeford, Maine — 2019-2022

    • Make specialty coffee drinks and food for patrons, Curate with local artists showings to hang work in the shop, Lead a project to paint logo designs on the walls.

  • Screenprinter, Erin Flett Studio; Gorham, Maine — 2019-2021

    • Assist with print orders for a wide range of clients, Mix all ink and organize incoming orders.

Selected Prints