Cruisin’ Deep Time with Kirk Johnson and Ray Troll: The Travels of a Scientist and an Artist in search of Paleo America
Join Alaskan artist Ray Troll and Smithsonian paleontologist Kirk Johnson on an ‘epoch’ journey through the deep history of the Earth. Experience this unique blend of science and art as Troll and Johnson share tales from their travels across North America. They have recorded and illustrated their adventures in three books: the newly published second edition of Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway (2024), Cruisin’ the Fossil Coastline (2018) and the brand-new children’s book Alaska Dinosaurs, Mammoths and More (2025). Kirk and Ray have been working together since 1998. Their never-ending road trip is now in its 26th year and they are presently working on a fossil atlas of the United States that will be published in 2026.
Whether you're a science enthusiast, an art lover, or simply curious about Earth's deep past, this event promises to be both educational and wildly entertaining. Don’t miss this chance to explore the prehistoric world with two of its most engaging storytellers.
Ray Troll is known for his diverse, often humorous, science-inspired artwork. His art can be found in museums and books, on posters and hoodies, and on literally millions of t-shirts. He has created a dozen books and numerous travelling exhibits. He also co-hosts the popular Paleo Nerds podcast and headlines his band, The Ratfish Wranglers. Ray has received much acclaim but it’s hard to beat the fact that Hydrolagus trolli, a newly discovered species of ratfish, was named in his honor. Ray and his wife Michelle live and work in Ketchikan, Alaska and own and operate the Prairie Sea gallery in Lindsborg, Kansas.
Kirk Johnson is a paleobotanist known for his research on plants and the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs, his PBS NOVA documentaries, his popular books, and his partnership with Ray. He is also the Sant Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History where he oversees the world’s largest natural history collection. A new species of fossil parasol tree was recently named Macaranga kirkjohnsoni. Kirk and his wife Chase live in Washington, D.C. and Livingston, Montana.
This event is part of the College of Arts and Sciences Community Lecture Series “The Art and Science of Our World: Exploring the Wonder of Nature”.Please join us as we celebrate knowledge, inspire curiosity, and strengthen the bonds that make our community unique.