HOUSTON, TX — May is looking marvelous at the museum. We’re kicking things off with the gleaming artistry of titanium sculptures, where metal takes on mesmerizing forms. Then, visit with some curious critters to uncover the incredible adaptations that help animals thrive in their diverse habitats. Craving culture? Jet off with us to experience the vibrant tapestry of life in Italy, where you’ll “make a wish” by a fountain in the Piazza and learn about different styles of architecture. Finally, reach for the stars and become captivated by our cherished moon as you peer through our 36” Gueymard Telescope. There’s something for everyone this May – come explore with us!
Check out our website for our full schedule of events and exhibitions.
- Exhibition: The Eternal Garden: Titanium Art by Aka Chen
HMNS Hermann Park | Opens May 2
Prepare to be enchanted as art and innovation intertwine in HMNS’ new special exhibition, The Eternal Garden: Titanium Art by Aka Chen.
The exhibitpresents a breathtaking collection of 20 exquisite sculptures, where the delicate artistry of fine jewelry seamlessly merges with the fluid grace of Chinese brush painting. Witness ethereal titanium branches blossoming with meticulously crafted gemstone representations of botanicals and lively wildlife. Ranging in scale from intimate vases to an impressive 30-foot-wide polyptych, these works showcase Chen’s mastery of transforming the remarkably strong yet challenging material of titanium into objects of profound beauty.
- Event: Moonlight Madness
George Observatory | Friday, May 9 | 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Join us as we examine a familiar friend in the sky – the moon! Identify mountains, lunar maria, craters within craters, and possibly even the elusive X formation. Learn where the Apollo missions landed, and take pictures with your own cell phone of what you see.
This two-hour event starts with a lecture presentation on the moon’s formations. You’ll get to feel a piece of lunar rock before we head upstairs to our 36” Gueymard Telescope to take a look at these wonderful objects through the telescope.
- Exhibition: Ciao Bambini!
HMNS at Sugar Land | Opens May 23
From pizzas to piazzas, Ciao Bambini! (hello children!) will transport families to the beautiful country of Italy. This cultural exhibit highlights Italy’s world-renowned architecture, art and food, and pays tribute to its significant historical contributions while showing what life is like for children in Italy today.
- Exhibition: Extreme Animals Alive!
HMNS Hermann Park | Opens May 24 (members see it first May 23)
Shape-shifting, mind control, invincibility, and more. Explore the unique adaptations that make Earth’s creatures fearless and fascinating, beautiful and bold.
Step into a graphic novel aiming to reveal the strange and wonderful specializations animals exhibit to give them a leg up on the competition or evade predators. Extreme Animals Alive! invites you to get up close with a variety of critters, both familiar and unknown. Consider the unique characteristics that give animals the advantage from super speed to super stealth. Discover animals with “superpowers” that allow them to shape-shift, glow, or control the minds of other animals. Investigate the physical, behavioral and structural adaptations that allow animals to survive in unique environments. Opportunities to interact with live animals will occur daily.
Attached photo courtesy HMNS | Photographer Mike Rathke
- Event: HMNS Farmers Market
HMNS Hermann Park | Sunday, May 25 | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Braeswood Farmers Market will be setting up shop on the Museum Sundial Plaza on May 25 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free to attend and get 20% off any membership level when you purchase from the HMNS plant sale table or one of the vendors.
For questions, please contact Sami Mesarwi at smesarwi@hmns.org or (281) 684-0430.
About Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science—one of the nation’s most heavily attended museums—is a centerpiece of the Houston Museum District. With four floors of permanent exhibit halls, and the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center, Burke Baker Planetarium and George Observatory and as host to world-class and ever-changing touring exhibitions, the Museum has something to delight every age group. With such diverse and extraordinary offerings, a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, located at 5555 Hermann Park Drive in the heart of the Museum District, is always an adventure.
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