2025 Convergence Summit Recap: The Science of Art in Action

2025 Convergence Summit Recap, Hannah Budroe, 2025. Original student artwork.

What connects the arts and sciences? 

At their core, art and science share a deep connection through the human experience — both are ways of observing, interpreting, and shaping the world around us. That connection was at the heart of the 2025 Convergence Summit, hosted by the Rowen Foundation at the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown Atlanta. Themed “The Science of Art in Discovery, Research and Innovation”, the program used keynote conversations, moderated panels, and engaging art breaks to explore what it means to be human from an aesthetic and scientific perspective. The event brought together scientists, community members, activists, and architects to explore how creativity and curiosity unite across disciplines.  

A Thoughtfully Designed Experience

Every detail of the Convergence Summit was intentional — designed to engage not just the mind, but the senses. Guests entered the Woodruff Arts Center to the sight of graceful ballet choreography that embodied balance and beauty, themes that would echo throughout the day.

The first keynote speaker was Dr. Susan Magsamen, founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. A pioneer in the field of neuroaesthetics, Dr. Magsamen described the arts as having their own “periodic table” – a spectrum of creative experiences, each with measurable effects on the brain and body. She shared how dance, music, and other art forms can improve motor function and emotional wellbeing, particularly for those with conditions like Parkinson’s disease. In conversation with Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, Dr. Magsamen also previewed the Georgia NeuroArts Coalition, the latest partnership to bring this research to life.

The summit’s panel discussions delved deeper into the intersections of creativity and inquiry through two central themes: “Music, Movement, and Mind” and “Climate, Conservation, and Consumption.” Expert neuroscientists and doctors Drs. Sam Sober, Chris Rozell, and David Wolf explored how art can illuminate new understandings of the brain, from using birdsong to decode motor control to designing pediatric hospital studios that support healing. Later, Dr. Marshall Shephard, Jamila Norman, and Stacy Funderburke shifted the focus to the natural world, discussing the resilience of urban farming and the awe of experiencing nature. They spoke about the importance of protecting natural spaces and the power of storytelling to connect people to place.

Between these rich discussions, participants engaged in organized activation breaks – moments of mindfulness and exploration, allowing the audience to reflect and refocus their attention to the next discussion. In one, Erin Jones, soprano for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, led a “tuning meditation” during which audience members closed their eyes and hummed a note on each breath. The resulting soundscape allowed participants to listen to the group as a whole while retaining their distinct vocal identity. Another activation, guided by Andrew Westover from the High Museum of Art, encouraged quiet reflection upon the painting “Purissima” by Joseph Stella.

Outside the auditorium, attendees could explore the interconnection of neuroscience and art directly through the Georgia State undergraduate art exhibit “Mind’s Eye: The Interdisciplinary Fusion of Art & Science” and a display of plastinated brain specimens, offering an opportunity to tangibly engage with the Summit’s focus. 

The summit concluded with Dr. Upali Nanda, who shared her work in building sensory environments that support brain health and facilitate creative thinking. Dr. Nanda has brought evidence-based and culturally responsive approaches to building enriching spaces that support innovation, and her speech reminded us all of the importance of seeking awe-inspiring aesthetics.

Creativity as Connection

Although the scientists and professionals who spoke possessed a wide range of backgrounds, the underlying thread of art and aesthetics connected them all. Several speakers discussed aesthetics as critical for the human experience – reminding us that creativity is essential for our brain’s continued development and neuroplasticity, beneficial for mental health, and a cornerstone for building shared communities. 

The benefits of creation expand beyond visual art and music– our natural world is also a continual source of aesthetic experience. Experiencing the beauty of a beautiful sky or the Okefenokee Swamp evokes a shared sense of wonder and awe in us. Similarly, growing food is also an action of creation and expression. Studies have suggested that gardening and exposure to green spaces can increase neuroplasticity and support mental health in many of the same ways that art can. 

As neuroscience continues to illuminate the benefits of creativity — from supporting mental health to inspiring new methods of research — the convergence of art and science will help discover ways to accelerate the discovery of new, innovative solutions.

Looking Ahead

While the 2025 Convergence Summit has concluded, the conversation it sparked continues. At Rowen, we believe innovation thrives where disciplines meet — where scientists and artists, researchers and storytellers, collaborate to imagine what’s next.

As you move through your day, take a moment to notice the art and beauty around you — in nature, in sound, in your work. You may find that the bridge between art and science isn’t so wide after all.