The divide between the arts and sciences is long-fostered and well-documented. From elementary school onward, children are often singled out for their penchant for math or artistic ability and guided toward classes — and later careers — that align with their right or left brain tendencies. For Jill Pelto — a local climate scientist, painter, and the art director of the North Cascade Glacier Climate Project — there never was an either/or; art and science have always gone hand in hand. And she’s not the only one to take this approach: a new art show, Shaped by Ice (running through May 3 at Slip Gallery in Belltown), features work in various mediums that highlight the changes happening in the Northwest’s glacial regions.

“I have a dual background in art and climate science,” says Pelto, who completed two bachelor’s degrees (one in each of the aforementioned subjects) at the University of Maine before going on to complete a Master of Science in 2018, which focused on studying the Antarctic Ice Sheet. She has worked in glacial environments in Washington, British Columbia, Antarctica, New Zealand, and Chile, and has been with the North Cascade Glacier Climate Project — founded by her father, Dr. Mauri Pelto, in 1984 — for 16 years. The organization takes thousands of measurements on Washington’s glaciers every year to create long-term data tracking changes. 

“These experiences have shaped my art practice into one which delves deeply into science communication,” says Pelto, who curated the show (her first curatorial experience) and has seven paintings in it, including two newly finished works. “I started making environmental art in high school and developed the idea of incorporating data into my work as an undergrad. My work now involves direct collaborations with science teams, environmental nonprofits, and schools to help share their work with broader audiences.”

Outlets such as galleries are an approachable way to spread the word about the organization’s research. Shaped by Ice, which is sponsored by climate activism organization Protect Our Winters, brings together work by nine artists who have ties to local, national, and international glaciers. Using a range of mediums — sculpture, photography, sketches, fiber, painting, and cake (yes, really!) — each creative reflects their personal experiences, diving into the beauty and importance of various topographies and informing people on the impacts of climate change on our region. 

“The show explores stories about how our glacial regions are changing,” Pelto says, noting that Seattle feels like a perfect fit for the show, as glaciers on Mount Rainier, the North Cascades, and the Olympics are visible from downtown. “These changes deeply impact human and natural communities at many levels, from the loss of freshwater resources to ecosystem shifts. Glacier loss is a visible sign of climate change. Our goal is to increase awareness, foster curiosity, and inspire personal connections between people and glaciers.”

In addition to Pelto, artists in the show include science illustrator Julia Ditto, printmaker Cal Waichler, multimedia artist Danielle Schlunegger-Warner, painter Claire Giordano, photographer Jason Hummel, fiber artist Emma Mary Murray, dessert artist Rose McAdoo, and photographer and painter Shari Macy. Each participant brings a unique set of knowledge and artistic prowess to the show, and their passion for nature — and preserving it for generations to come — is evident in each snowy brushstroke, rocky pencil line, and textured stitch of the works on display. 

Artists, left to right: Jill Pelto, Julia Ditto, Jason Hummel, Danielle Schlunegger-Warner, Cal Waichler, Rose McAdoo, Emma Mary Murray.

Photo by Jill Pelto

Pelto is clear that when it came to creating Shaped by Ice, she wasn’t looking to create fear in the face of climate change. “I wanted our work as a whole to both educate and inspire people, not to overwhelm them,” she says. “I wanted to highlight the beauty of glacial regions and dive deeper into why they matter on many levels … Washington, and many places in the world, is literally shaped by ice. In our state, we need the water that glaciers and snowpack provide for our drinking water, our hydropower, our irrigation, our salmon, and beyond.” 

“Shaped by Ice” runs through May 3 at Slip Gallery, 2301 First Ave., Seattle.