Electrical engineering plays a pivotal role in transforming how art is created, experienced, and understood—powering interactive installations, enabling immersive sensory experiences, and bridging the gap between technology and human expression. NC State’s Electrical and Computer Engineering professor Dr. Alper Bozkurt joined an extraordinary interdisciplinary collaboration that has culminated in the launch of the new exhibition, Your Brain on Art: Reimagining the Gregg Museum Collection, currently on view at the Gregg Museum of Art & Design.
Inspired by the best-selling book Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, the exhibit explores the profound impact of art on the human brain and body. Dr. Bozkurt— McPherson Family Distinguished Professor in Engineering Entrepreneurship from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Co-Director of both the NSF ASSIST Center and the NC State Institute of Connected Sensor Systems—collaborated with a diverse team of NC State faculty to bring this vision to life.
Interdisciplinary and Cross-College Collaboration
The curation team reflects the breadth of innovation and inquiry at NC State reflecting the “Think and Do” spirit:
- Dr. Alper Bozkurt, ECE – neural interfaces and neuroengineering
- Prof. Valeria López Torres, College of Design – interaction design and user experience
- Prof. Victoria Ralston, College of Humanities and Social Sciences – interdisciplinary, interactive artworks exploring identity and storytelling
- Prof. John Meitzen and Prof. John Godwin, College of Sciences – genetics, neurobiology, and behavioral neuroscience
Together, they have crafted an immersive, sensory-rich experience that blends neuroscience, technology, and art to highlight the transformative effects of creativity on well-being.
Experience the Exhibit
Visitors to Your Brain on Art can engage with interactive artworks that include painting, collage, photography, sound art, and more. The exhibit offers:
- A mindfulness drawing lab
- A sound station designed by the Gregg’s education team
- Quotes from Your Brain on Art guiding the sensory experience
- A chance to win a free copy of the book via a raffle at the Visitor Services desk
The exhibit emphasizes findings that are reshaping fields such as neuroaesthetics and arts-based therapy. With growing medical recognition, even doctors are prescribing museum visits to help treat conditions from loneliness to dementia.
The exhibit opened with a vibrant panel and reception in March 2025, moderated by Gavin Bell, Assistant Director of Multicultural Student Affairs, delving into topics ranging from creativity and neural pathways to emotion, body, and electricity.
Plan Your Visit
Your Brain on Art: Reimagining the Gregg Museum Collection is open Tuesday–Saturday through September 27, 2025. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Visit the official exhibit page for more details:
gregg.arts.ncsu.edu/exhibitions/your-brain-on-art-reimagining-the-gregg-museum-collection
Join us at the Gregg Museum to discover how art and science intersect to illuminate the inner workings of the mind and celebrate the healing power of creativity.
