Weeknights at the Wagner: Art, Science, and the "Super/Natural"

Founded in 1855 in Philadelphia, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is dedicated to providing free public education in science. Its programs include free courses and lectures, field trips and lessons for children and museum tours for all ages. The evening science courses are the oldest program devoted to free adult education in the United States.The Institute’s Museum houses more than 100,000 natural history specimens, a collection begun by founder William Wagner in the early 19th century and expanded by the renowned scientist Joseph Leidy in the 1880s. Completed in 1865, the Wagner’s National Historic Landmark building is essentially unchanged since the late 19th century and includes a Victorian exhibition hall filled with fossils, shells, minerals and mounted animal skeletons and skins displayed in original wood and glass cabinets. The Museum is  currently open to visitors Tuesdays - Fridays, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM and on the first Saturday of the month (September - May, excluding January), from Noon to 4 PM.  The Wagner also offers courses, lectures and events in the evenings, in person and online.  Join us!

Wagner Free Institute of Science

Artist Judith Schaechter discusses her monumental exhibit Super/Natural and how she combines science and art in her work to conjure wonder.

Weeknights at the Wagner

The Institute presents evening lectures as part of the Weeknights at the Wagner series. Distinguished scientists and scholars explore current topics in science, history, and art as well as topics that connect to the Institute's history and collections.

<h2>WEEKNIGHTS AT THE WAGNER</h2><h2>In Conversation with Judith Schaechter: Art, Science, and the “Super/Natural”</h2> Acclaimed stained glass artist Judith Schaechter will discuss her immersive installation <a href="https://www.judithschaechter.com/super-natural/" title="https://www.judithschaechter.com/super-natural/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">"Super/Natural"</a>—a luminous, three-tiered cosmos rendered in glass. The work draws on her residency at the <a href="https://neuroaesthetics.med.upenn.edu/" title="https://neuroaesthetics.med.upenn.edu/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics</a>, incorporating insights from biophilic design and the rich history of women’s contributions to botanical art. "Super/Natural" reimagines nature as a space of awe and contemplation, inviting viewers into a renewed sense of wonder and connection with the living world.The daughter of renowned microbiologist Elio Schaechter, Judith will also explore the interplay between art and science. Through the lens of her own work, she will consider where these disciplines intersect, where they diverge, and whether true objectivity is even possible in a world observed from within one's own mind.An evening lecture series, Weeknights at the Wagner, invites experts into our Victorian lecture hall to speak on a range of science and history of science related subjects. Each talk includes a Q&amp;A with the speaker."Super/Natural" is on view at the <a href="https://michenerartmuseum.org/exhibition/judith-schaechter-super-natural/" title="https://michenerartmuseum.org/exhibition/judith-schaechter-super-natural/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Michener Art Museum</a> through September 14th, and will then be on view at the <a href="https://sfmcd.org/exhibitions/judith-schaechter/" title="https://sfmcd.org/exhibitions/judith-schaechter/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Museum of Craft and Design</a> in San Francisco, California. <h2>About the Speaker</h2>Judith Schaechter lives and works in Philadelphia. Her work is collected internationally and is represented in the collections of the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Victoria and Albert in London and the Hermitage, among others. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Guggenheim Fellowship in 2005 and her work was in the 2002 Whitney Biennial. In 2013, Judith was inducted to the College of Fellows of the American Craft Council. She received a lifetime achievement award from the Glass Art Society in 2022 and in 2023, she was named a Smithsonian Visionary Artist.In 2020-21, Judith’s work was the subject of a retrospective exhibition organized by the Memorial Art Gallery of Rochester, NY, which traveled to the Toledo Museum and the Des Moines Art Center.

A dream that keeps growing…In 1855, William Wagner had a dream of providing free science education to anyone who wanted to learn, regardless of background or ability to pay. Today, the Wagner offers more programs to more people than ever before! Your support helps us provide free education, not only through the museum, but through a wide range of courses, lectures, field trips, and children’s science programs. Donations also assist us in caring for the museum and library collections and in preserving our wonderful building, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990. <a href="https://www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org" title="https://www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">To learn more about what we do please visit our website.</a><h3> </h3><h2>Registration Information</h2>In keeping with its original charter, admission to the lecture is free—donations are suggested to ensure the future and quality of Wagner's free education programs and to preserve its National Landmark building and collections.Suggested Donations$10/adult$5/studentFor any questions, please email communications@wagnerfreeinstitute.org or call 215-763-6529 x17.If you would like to check your membership status or become a member, please email KellyT@wagnerfreeinstitute.org or call 215-763-6529 x11. Images:Detail shots of "Super/Natural," stained glass dome structure. Glass designed and fabricated by Judith Schaechter (studio assistant, Konstantin Sievaplesov). Dome designed by Judith Schaechter and Patrick Murray, fabricated by Patrick Murray and Kyrue Walker.Judith Schaechter at work. Courtesy of the artist.

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