Quark! : where the intersection of science and art meets

The intersection of science, art and everyday life is now located on Grand River Avenue.

Quark !, an art and science store, opened on August 4, 2021, offering a variety of products carefully selected to spark the curiosity and joy of customers.

“Quarks are subatomic particles,” owner Renee Leone said. “They are building blocks of atoms, which make up everything. Science makes up our lives … it’s a fun, funny word! She said, expressing how the name describes everyday aspects of science.

After entering Quark !, the sight of Leone crouching over a microscope studying a cicada came as no shock. She also didn’t invite customers to take a look at the bug and a variety of acorns she had collected.

Art and science may seem like they don’t have much intersection, but Leone was able to find this intersection in her store.

“Science and art have been linked for a long time,” said Leone. “Whether it’s the chemistry that’s in the development of painting… there’s also science in our architecture, look at the Broad Art Museum. It’s beautiful, and it’s made possible thanks to innovations.

Leone has studied many different fields including psychology and mental health, biology and teaching. Years ago, Leone moved to Michigan and enrolled her son in a Montessori school. With this move, she rekindled her love for science and taught the subject at the elementary level for six years.

“I’ve always loved science and was just curious,” Leone said. “That’s all that is required – curiosity.”

During his visit to Cambridge, UK, Leone had the opportunity to attend his prestigious science festival. This experience inspired Leone to organize a science festival at Michigan State University, and she led the festival for five years. There, festival attendees were excited about what they had learned, but didn’t know how to bring science into their everyday lives. This inspired her to open Quark!

Leone said her goal is to provide articles that remind people of this connection to the sciences they love.

Rather than perceiving science as that mysterious force, or something only found in textbooks, Leone wants people to feel connected to her.

“It’s accessible, it’s fun, it’s inviting.” said Leone.

Plans for the future include more kids’ products, but for now, her selection includes switch plates that work like gears, shiny scarab-covered posters, cosmos-inspired jewelry, and tote bags. all devoted to different scientific fields. With mini notebooks for recording cloud sightings and guides to Michigan foliage, there are many functional and fascinating freebies.

Leone believes that families can use these products to explore the world together.

“When adults are interested, children get interested,” Leone said. “Everyone is on the same ground because we all have questions. ”

In love with science, Leone wants to “demystify” the subject. From the way bodies work to the way humans interact with the world, she wants people to remember that “it doesn’t have to be a scary thing.”

“I think science has taken a beating over the last decade,” said Leone, a self-described science lover.

Science contains an instinct for truth, the desire and pursuit of knowledge must be impartial; It is this principle, according to Leone, which should be applied in all aspects of life. Quark! is a place where people can find products to help engage in science and be excited to learn more about the world around them.

For Leone, science is magic and she hopes to share with the rest of East Lansing: “To be an ambassador. It is also a purveyor of wonder and curiosity, ”she continued enthusiastically to spread the joy of science in the community,“ I hope people have fun with the store.

Science through Quark! is as engaging and fun as any learning should be. With a curiosity nestled at the crossroads of art and science.

“If you took all the space that’s in our atoms… you would be able to fit all of humanity into space with a lump of sugar…” Leone said goodbye, “How cool is that?”