Participant Biographies and Project Descriptions

Bruce Stewart
Bruce has been an artist, naturalist, researcher and educator for almost forty years. He has been dedicated to helping increase public understanding of the importance of the natural world, and he has a complementary passion for art. After graduating with a B.A. in Science in Zoology and a minor in Art, Bruce worked as an illustrator as he pursued graduate work in marine science. He illustrated Seashore Plants of California, (UC Press, 1982) and provided other illustrations for the University of California. Bruce supervised artists and designers creating exhibits for the Burch Aquarium at Scripps, La Jolla. He also taught classes on biological illustration while he was a program curator at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Bruce has taught art to high school students in formal classroom settings and coordinated art activities for an elementary school. He also gives presentations about art as a profession to children and youth. Bruce has won awards and recognition for his photography, pastels, and graphics. He has also received an award as an outstanding marine educator.

Bruce created a project called “Home is Where the Art Is” for families that are victims of homelessness and domestic violence at Community Resource Center (CRC) in Encinitas. Bruce opened a small art gallery down the street from CRC and he was moved by the line of people waiting for food or seeking assistance. He approached the Executive Director of the organization, and together they designed the program of art activities for children and adults receiving services at Transitional Housing Program, the Transitioning to Independence Program, as well as the Parenting and other life skills programs. These activities include creating a mural, painting, drawing, photography, and field trips. Bruce is planning to exhibit participants’ work at his gallery in October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Bruce hopes that the clients will experience a feeling of home enhanced by their own creations and an “enhanced ability to make and enjoy art that they can take with them” as they establish more stable homes. He also hopes that the art exhibit will increase public awareness about the need to address homelessness and domestic violence.