Lives of the Dead
September 5, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Guests will explore the animated world of Día de Muertos through a unique collection of 2 and 3-dimensional artwork. From the work of early pre-Hispanic cultures to the 21st century, Lives of the Dead offers 1000 years of artistic visions of the dead. The exhibition emphasizes current and vintage Latin American folk art. From Papier-mâché (cartoneria) skulls and skeletons created by the famous Linares family to the ceramic tableaux and Catrinas of Metepec, Lives of the Dead brings together some of Latin America’s most renowned folk artists. Other exhibition highlights include antique prints by Jose Guadalupe Posada, Manuel Manilla, and Día de Muertos, as seen in contemporary paintings and prints from Mexico. Visitors will also experience the celebration and beliefs behind Día de Muertos with the inclusion of an elaborate Mexican-style ofrenda. Funding provided by the Beth West Memorial Endowed Fund.
A Day with the Birds
October 3, 2026 – November 29, 2026
Guests will explore the fascinating world of birds through A Day With the Birds: Community Science & the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. From the origins of the Christmas Bird Count in 1900 to its role as one of North America’s most important wildlife monitoring programs today, the exhibition highlights more than 125 years of bird conservation and community science. Featuring Oklahoma’s native birds, ornithological specimens from the Sam Noble Museum’s collections, interactive experiences, and historic photographs, the exhibition showcases how generations of everyday people have contributed to scientific research and conservation efforts. Visitors will discover how a simple annual tradition grew into a global movement and how community scientists continue to shape our understanding of bird populations, migration patterns, and environmental change.
Coming Soon… Fossil Expedition: Exploring the First Mass Extinction
November 14, 2026 – February 14, 2027
Guests will explore Earth’s ancient past through Fossil Expedition: Exploring the First Mass Extinction. Featuring remarkable fossil specimens from the Sam Noble Museum’s collections, the exhibition examines the first major extinction event in Earth’s history and the extraordinary organisms that lived before, during, and after this period of dramatic environmental change. Through fossils, scientific discoveries, and engaging interpretation, visitors will uncover how life on Earth responded to one of the planet’s earliest ecological crises. The exhibition reveals how fossils preserve both the beauty of ancient life and the stories of resilience written in stone.
