The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Association’s upcoming Jazz at the Lab invitations feature a colorful vibraphone transforming into the DNA double helix, blending headliner Gary Burton’s music with the genetic research the event supports. Less obvious is that the artistry of the invitations themselves are the blending of the work at CSHL and the creativity of students at Farmingdale State University of New York.
Seniors enrolled in the New Media Design class—Linda DeMarco, 31, East Northport; Jennifer Palumbo, 22, Rockville Centre; John Schmaltz, 23, Garden City; and Rich Nau, 21, Lakeview—comprised one of eight teams that designed potential invitations for the 7th annual Jazz at the Lab, scheduled for Saturday, April 9.
“When I researched the performer and saw the vibraphone, I immediately saw the keys turning into the helix. Within minutes, I was able to make it happen,” DeMarco recalled.
After meeting with representatives from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the teams of students were asked to develop a product and present it to the Jazz at the Lab committee, who then made the final selection.
Pien Bosch, who is co-chairing this year’s event with her husband, Hans, and Joanne and Jay Andrea, facilitated the collaboration with Farmingdale State University of New York. According to her, the committee chose this piece because they liked “how the jazz music and the double helix intertwined to portray the Laboratory and the music.” Because the committee was impressed by all of the students’ pieces, all eight selections will be on display at Jazz at the Lab in Grace Auditorium.
“I like to call it a win-win-win situation. It is great for the students because they get direct experience on real projects. It’s great for the client because the quality of the work is up there with what they will get professionally. It’s great for the school because it gets our name out there,” explained Wayne Krush, Chair and Assistant Professor of Visual Communications at Farmingdale State University of New York. He teaches New Media Design with Mark Moscarillo.
According to DeMarco, working on a project like this “means everything. It makes me extremely proud to know that anyone going to the event is going to receive my work. It means my work has real world value.”
The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Association raises private funding, through Jazz at the Lab, their annual fund and other special events, that allow Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory scientists to pursue the kind of research that often breaks ground by taking unexpected turns. Members’ dollars provide fellowships, support technicians and laboratory equipment that lead to diagnostic procedures and therapies that enhance longevity and the quality of life.
Written by: Communications Department | publicaffairs@cshl.edu | 516-367-8455