Formed in Stone
November 1, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Returning after more than ten years, Formed in Stone: The Natural Beauty of Fossils invites visitors to a breathtaking encounter in the deepest reaches of time. Look closely at original fossil specimens pulled from our invertebrate fossil collection, then gaze up at high-resolution photographs magnified up to 60 times, revealing intricate textures, fractal geometry, and delicate ornamentation that remained hidden in stone for millions of years. Each image, a snapshot frozen in time, unveils the natural beauty of ancient life and transforms it into a modern visual experience.
Built over a century of fieldwork and research, the Sam Noble Museum’s invertebrate paleontology collection includes more than one million specimens and ranks among North America’s most important archives of fossil invertebrate life. This up-close, high-definition exhibition of 12 select specimens pairs aesthetic wonder with a legacy of discovery, offering something for art lovers, curious families, children, students, and fossil enthusiasts alike.
Dinos Take Flight
January 17, 2026 – April 26, 2026
Dinosaurs are taken to new heights in this elegant traveling exhibition—engaging visitors at the intersection of art, science, and history. Archaeopteryx provides a critical bridge between dinosaurs and birds. Starting with the initial discovery in 1861, Archaeopteryx has been an integral part of the discussion of evolution, the origin of birds, and the origin of flight. Scientists from across the globe have conducted extensive research to better understand this “missing link,” and studies continue still.
Exploring Extinction: The Dodo
January 17, 2026 – April 26, 2026
Exploring Extinction: The Dodo looks into the life and death of this iconic creature as a case of human-driven extinction. Starting with pristine Mauritius, this traveling exhibition reveals the tragedy that ensued as humans expanded across the oceans and explores the means to stop and even reverse those tragedy’s today.
Bizarre Headgear: Ceratopsians and the Evolution of Extraordinary Skulls
May 9, 2026 – August 23, 2026
The exhibit Bizarre Headgear presents evolution to the extreme. 12 foot antlers and billboard sized heads are just some of the dramatic examples of bizarre headgear on display. See the amazing ways evolution has equipped the prehistoric animal world for combat and courtship. From the evolution of giant horned dinosaurs to their outrageous mammalian counterparts, this exhibit traces the evolution of bizarre head structures throughout time.
Lives of the Dead
September 5, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Guests will explore the animated world of Dia 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 Dia de Muertos, as seen in contemporary paintings and prints from Mexico. Visitors will also experience the celebration and beliefs behind Dia de Muertos with the inclusion of an elaborate Mexican style ofrenda.
