Peppered moths form his beard. Barnacles become his hair. Iguanas, finches, orchids and a host of other creatures make his coat. And his face? It comprises representations of material from his secret notebooks, along with images of the organisms that most influenced him.

All of these tiles together, more than 125, make The Face of Darwin, the newest ceramic mosaic from the Art-Science Fusion Program.

The mosaic joins more than 50 photographic works in an exhibition that opened this week and is scheduled to run through July 2 at the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

Terry Nathan’s students created the photographic works, exploring the conceptual connections between art and science and the role of art and science at UC Davis.

Students and community members crafted the mosaic under the direction of Art-Science Fusion Program leaders Diane Ullman and Donna Billick.

The mosaic came out of a freshman seminar, The Face of Darwin: Exploring the Art-Science Borderland. In recognition of Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday, students with a variety of majors studied Darwin’s life and the observations that led him to propose evolution by natural selection.

“This mosaic is a profound learning experience in and of itself,” said Ullman, a professor of entomology and associate dean in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

OTHER EXHIBITIONS

The African American Journey Towards Freedom and Equality, 1619-2009: A Tale Told in Black and White — Books, pamphlets and documents from the African American History Collection and other research collections that are housed in the university library’s Special Collections. Lobby, Shields Library.

Arts and Crafts for Fun — Interdisciplinary display by Dale Dennis, Craft Center calligraphy and woodworking instructor. Through June 5, Craft Center Gallery.

Master of Fine Arts Exhibition — Comprising the work of five students, all of whom are receiving their MFAs this spring. The exhibitors: Julia Elsas, sculptural installation; Crystal Haueter, paintings and collages; Cynthia Horn, paintings; Evie Leder, video installation; and Josh Short, sculptural assemblage installation. Through June 19, Nelson Gallery.

Stepping Out: Footwear From Around the World — From the Design Collection. Through July 12, Design Museum.

25 Stories from the Central Valley — Photos documenting women’s struggles for environmental justice. Through Aug. 23, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

University Library: Building a Foundation, 1908-2008 — Centennial exhibition. Lobby, Shields Library.

Visual Sovereignty: International Indigenous Photography — Featuring the works of 35 Native American, First Nations, Inuit, Aboriginal and Maori artists. Through Sept. 4, C.N. Gorman Museum.

When Bad Things Happen to Good Books — Showing the results of careless handling or deliberate defacing, and how the library's Preservation Department deals with the damage. Through summer, lobby, Shields Library.

Works by Paul Wonner — Abstract expressionist associated with the Bay Area Figurative Movement. From the Fine Art Collection. Through June 26, Nelson Entryway Gallery.