In a time where few want to think about germs, much less consider their inherent beauty, molecular biologist Dr. Sara Schesser Bartra is on a mission to re-introduce all types of microscopic beings to people through her art, but in a much less contagious way.

Currently running at ArtServe in its Bienes Gallery through December 30, her solo exhibit entitled “Microbes:  The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful” depicts an artistic interpretation of the many types of micro-organisms Dr. Schesser Bartra has seen and learned about during her career as a scientist at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine.

“My work does not pretend to illustrate the natural world, but rather shows a representation of it to instigate curiosity about it in the eyes of the audience,” Dr. Schesser Bartra explained.

“The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful” uses multimedia to represent everything from beneficial bacteria to diverse pathogens, all of which display a complex visual diversity in their unseen abundance.

“Dr. Schesser Bartra’s work has a highly personal approach and perspective that creates a visual relationship with the mysterious microbial world and a better awareness and understanding of science in general,” ArtServe Executive Director Jason Hughes said.

Dr. Schesser Bartra, who is originally from Sweden, also founded and leads an art group of Swedish women living in South Florida.

“The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful” is on display concurrently with ArtServe’s “Narratives in Latin American Art” exhibit, which also runs through Dec. 30.

ArtServe inspires, supports and advances its diverse members, artists and community by promoting artistic development, education and prosperity through the exploration and presentation of the visual and performing arts.

For more information, visit www.artserve.org.  Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Admission is always free.

About ArtServe 

Named a “2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and nonprofits, Fort Lauderdale-based ArtServe is an award-winning arts incubator that is advancing the arts for social good as a creative laboratory and hub for experimental artists committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Now in its 35th year, ArtServe has won several awards for innovation in the arts and is supported in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and Florida’s Department of State and the Division of Cultural Affairs. Each year, ArtServe programs contribute tangibly to the region’s economy, helping 2,000+ artists sell their work, build businesses and engage the community. To do that, ArtServe secures financial support through donations, sponsorships and memberships.