Artist Commune: Illustrating the Wild

A watercolor-style illustration in green and gold tones featuring a white-tailed deer head. Text reads "Illustrating the Wild" in stylized script, with the scientific name "Odocoileus virginianus" written near the deer. An "Artist Commune!" logo is in the bottom right corner.
Fri, March 27, 2026
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Urban Arts Space

For March's Artist Commune, join us in a thorough examination of the natural world through the lens of scientific illustration with an emphasis on the animal kingdom! We’ll explore how the scientific lens of animal illustration intersects with our own emotions and understandings of the natural world. 

While we all exist within the natural world, it’s easy to take it for granted. It is essential that we take the time to acknowledge and honor the world around us. 

RSVP for the Free Event!

The evening will begin with a brief presentation about the history and purpose of scientific illustration, followed by a short talk from local Columbus artist Matt L. Gaberell, who specializes in illustrations of native wildlife in Ohio. We'll then have open art-making, where you'll create a mind map of an animal of your choice with watercolors and colored pencils—all supplies provided. 

As a group, we'll share how our viewpoints on different animals are influenced by our personal life experiences and the influences of our wider culture. We'll combine our thoughts and opinions from the discussion with the practice of scientific illustration by closely examining the rich, complex structures of some of the wildlife found throughout the state of Ohio.

We hope you will join us for a night of learning, reflection, and art-making for our non-human neighbors.


About the Guest Artist

Matt L. Gaberell lives in Columbus (Clintonville), Ohio and has spent most of his career working in Information Technology (IT). Although he has a degree in Information Technology from Franklin University, the pursuit of a life in art has always been his ambition. From a very early age, he found ways to incorporate creativity into his daily life, whether that was copying cartoons from the Sunday paper or building snow sculptures during the Wisconsin winters. As an adult, his creativity shifted to pen and ink illustration, fan art, and acrylic painting. While Matt enjoys exploring new media to create art, since 2020 his artistic journey has brought him to realism painting of birds and wildlife. Absorbing instruction from books and online, he continues to refine his techniques to give his work a more realistic presence. As a member of the Clintonville Arts Guild, he engages with other local artists to learn more about artistic creativity. 

Website: mattgaberell.com 
Instagram: @mlg_fine_art


Artist Commune is a recurring event hosted by Urban Arts Space that allows artists and the community to come together to create art, discuss art, and network.

Urban Arts Space may photograph or video the event for promotional purposes. By attending, participants grant permission for their likeness to be used in promotional materials. If you prefer not to be photographed, please inform event staff.


Visiting Urban Arts Space

50 W. Town St., Ste. 130
Columbus, OH 43215
Located in the historic Lazarus Building in downtown Columbus.

Admission to our exhibitions and programs is free!

View this map for parking garage options, with street parking on Rich, Front, and Wall Street, or go to our Accessibility page for bike or bus directions.