Fall 2025

A whimsical painting by Marie Siegenthaler, a promising scientific illustrator who tragi - cally died before realizing her dreams. Tentacles & Wings was established in her honor. M arie Siegenthaler spent her Marin County childhood sketching seashells, stones and insects. She considered a medical career after college, but her inquisitive nature— and those lifelong artistic and environmental interests—led her to the science illustration program at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB). Her family was thrilled about Marie’s cho- sen path. “When I looked into the program, I was amazed. It was so perfect for her, this marriage of art and science,” says Connie Siegenthaler, Marie’s mother. After the promising young artist passed away in a 2018 motorcycle accident, her family and friends established Tentacles & Wings. The nonpro½t honors 1arie Fy funding scholarships for CSUMB science illustration students, with about $20,000 distributed to date. Tentacles & Wings also supports the College of Marin’s Marie Siegenthaler Memorial Lending Library, where students can borrow art supplies and equipment for their classes. Connie hopes to eventually establish a similar library at CSUMB, in addition to expanding the existing scholarship program. She’d also like to fund classes that introduce young artists to science illustration. “So many people don’t know about this as a career choice. If budding artists were given exposure to this sort of thing, it could open a whole new realm for somebody,” Connie says. To donate or to learn more about Marie and Tentacles & Wings, visit www.tentaclesandwings.org . 2onpro½t 8urns Tragedy Into Suppor t for Students B Y R ENE E B R I NCK S SHORT CUTS GIVING BACK 86 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 5