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.
Funding provided by the Beth West Memorial Endowed Fund.
A Day with the Birds
October 3, 2026 – November 29, 2026
A traveling exhibit exploring community science and the Audubon Christmas Bird Count that aims to increase awareness of, appreciation for, and conservation of our respective local bird populations. Exhibit visitors will engage with stories of people who count birds; get acquainted with some of their local winter birds; and be inspired to care about and act on behalf of the birds that visit and live in their communities. The exhibit will engage both the minds and the hearts of your visitors.
Day with the Birds: Community Science & the Audubon Christmas Bird Count was produced and is toured by Kauffman Museum at Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas.” and include a link to the KM Exhibit webpage.
Funding provided by the Beth West Memorial Endowed Fund.
Fossil Expedition: Exploring the First Mass Extinction
November 14, 2026 – February 14, 2027
Fossil Expedition: Exploring the Earth’s First Mass Extinction will showcase information on mass extinctions, emphasizing the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction. The exhibit includes displays on how the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction is expressed locally in the rocks of Oklahoma, as well as places like Anticosti Island and elsewhere around the world. Oklahoma preserves Hirnantian-aged rocks that span the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction, but these rocks are deep-water shales that are fossil-poor, making them less useful for studying the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction compared to the fossil-rich rocks of Anticosti Island. The exhibit includes specimens collected during fieldwork on Anticosti Island by Drs. Cole and Wright, in addition to comparable Ordovician and Silurian fossil specimens from around the world that are currently housed in the SNOMNH Invertebrate Paleontology collections. Specimens will be used to highlight the diversity of Ordovician paleocommunities, the magnitude of the Ordovician extinction, and the changes in faunal composition that occurred as a result of the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction. Other components of the exhibit will include videos from Anticosti Island that convey the excitement of field research and exploration, examples of how fossils are collected, prepared, and studied; and how studying mass extinctions can help us understand current threats to the modern biosphere.
Funding provided by the National Science Foundation.
Dinosaurs of the Sahara
January 23, 2027 – May 2, 2027
Dinosaurs of the Sahara brings the unique world of African dinosaurs to life with original fossils and footage from the Sahara, one-of-a-kind mounted skeletons and flesh models, and an unforgettable rearing dinosaur giant. Touch real fossils, including a SuperCroc skull. Relive the excitement and adventure of Paul Sereno’s ground-breaking Saharan expeditions with live footage and an interactive dinosaur dig site. Get an up-close look at Africa’s greatest predators, the T-rex-sized Spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus. Meet some of the most bizarre plant-eating dinosaurs ever discovered, like the ‘Mesozoic cow’ Nigersaurus.
I am Wild: A Charley Harper Exhibit
May 22, 2027 – September 5, 2027
I am Wild: A Charley Harper Exhibit is inspired by the series of children’s books “I Am Wild” and Harper’s related artwork about biodiversity. Visitors will explore the desert, rainforest, ocean, sky, woods and city, each filled with colorful animals, insects, and birds depicted in the minimal realistic style Harper perfected throughout his lifetime.
The exhibition mixes immersive play experiences with learner-driven, art-making activities. By encouraging multidisciplinary exploration, visitors will build an appreciation for the interdependency of our environment and the creatures that live in it, as well as see ways they can express their feelings about nature in Charley’s world – a fun place that brings them joy and encourages creativity.
Funding provided by the Frances E. and A. Earl Ziegler Museum of Natural History Endowed Fund.
I Am Wild: A Charley Harper Exhibit was created by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in partnership with The Charley Harper Studio.
