Science and art are often placed on opposites sides of the spectrum, but no one ever said they can’t go hand in hand.

The American Society for Microbiology recently held its first Agar Art contest, calling out to all microbiologists to send in a picture of their proudest work of bacterial art in petri dishes. Their only rule was that they had to use microbes as the paint, and agar (a jelly-like substance) as the canvas. The submissions hinted at potential Leonardo Da Vincis lurking in the field of microbiology…

… Or Vincent van Goghs

And the talented winners of the 2015 Agar Art Contest are…. *drum roll*

1. Neurons, submitted by Mehmet Berkmen

2. NYC Biome MAP, submitted by Christine Marizzi

3. Harvest Season, created by Maria Eugenia Inda

People’s Choice: Cell to Cell, created by the group who won first place

Amazing? We can’t wait for next year’s contest, and we can’t help but wonder what fantastic bacteria art microbiologists will come up with then!

Here are a few more fantastic works of art that aren’t from the contest, just because there are so many that deserve to be introduced!