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From notebook sketches by 18 th century naturalists to the digitized photographs of today’s most celebrated wildlife photographers, the legacy of natural history art comes alive in Art of the Wild, an exhibit from the Bell Museum’s permanent art collection. The show features more than 100 original paintings, illustrations, watercolors, and photographs from regional and national artists and features such prized works as John James Audubon’s original double-elephant folio prints and easel paintings by museum diorama artist Francis Lee Jaques. The exhibit also celebrates the 75 th anniversary of the Federal Duck Stamp program with original paintings by Minnesota’s 15 duck stamp winning artists— Minnesota has produced more winning artists than any other state.
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Celebrate the opening of Art of the Wild and Minnesota’s Federal Duck Stamp winners with a reception recognizing William Webster, founder and retired CEO of the art publishing company Wild Wings, and Joe Hautman, the artist featured on this year’s 75th anniversary Federal Duck Stamp. Webster will discuss his experiences with many of Minnesota’s talented wildlife artists and the role of the Federal Duck Stamp in raising more than $700 million to purchase wetlands for wildlife habitat and conservation. A reception with light refreshments will follow.
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The subject of the popular “The Man Who Walks With Bears” TV documentary, Lynn Rogers, has spent decades learning about wildlife and sharing his findings with the public. As the Wildlife Research Institute’s principal biologist, Rogers uses airplanes, land vehicles, and snowshoes to radio-track more than 100 bears in the vast forests of northeastern Minnesota—studying some for as long as 22 years. Rogers’ remarkable photographs provide an intimate look at the lives of bears and a new understanding of their food habits, maternal care, and social behavior.
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The bizarre and the fantastic take center stage as the museum brings out the most unusual specimens from its scientific collections to illustrate the breathtaking diversity of life on earth. Be prepared to see a giant clam, a mummified pigeon, a “mermaid” skull, the world’s smallest egg, and killer pinecones.
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University of Minnesota associate professor of Entomology Susan Weller has been named interim director of the university's Bell Museum of Natural History. She will assume the post July 1. Weller is replacing Scott Lanyon, a professor in the university's department of ecology, evolution and behavior. Lanyon, who has served as the museum's director since 1995, will return to his full-time research and teaching appointment this fall. Weller, curator of Lepidoptera for the museum, is recognized internationally for her research on the evolution of mimicry and mating behaviors of butterflies and moths. She is a leader in the museum's K-12 outreach programs and "citizen science" ventures including the annual Minnesota BioBlitz. She is a passionate advocate of undergraduate research experience and has mentored dozens of undergraduates in her laboratory.
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Why does a lion have a mane? Does the King of Beasts need his mane for protection, or is it a signal of his power and fitness? University of Minnesota researchers Craig Packer and Peyton West were the first to test these two theories—and their research reveals surprising facts about the mane’s true purpose and its role in attracting a mate.
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Minnesota’s Big Woods has thrived for hundreds of years in a region dominated by prairies. University of Minnesota geologist Bryan Shuman is discovering that changes in the climate a long time ago may have given trees an advantage over prairies. Tag along into the field and then enter a research lab to discover climate change clues in the layers of mud from the bottom of a lake.
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We're disappointed by Governor Pawlenty's decision to veto funding for a new Bell Museum, but we remain encouraged and grateful for the support the Minnesota Legislature, University leadership and citizens around the state have shown the project. Please visit this page for updates on the building project and news about our continuing campaign to build a new home for Minnesota’s natural history museum.
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The State of Minnesota’s 150th birthday celebration gets star treatment with "The Minnesota Minute," a series of 60-second TV spots commemorating Minnesota’s natural history. The 13-part series, written, directed and produced for the state's sesquicentennial by the University of Minnesota's Bell Museum of Natural History Emmy-award TV winning TV production unit, Bell Museum Productions, is scheduled to air in prime time slots on Minnesota television stations and Twin Cities Public Television beginning May 11 through the sesquicentennial's finale August 30. The series hosts a companion web site with video blog for amateur and professional filmmakers throughout the state to share their own environmental-related videos and stories.
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Summer means ice-cream cones, boat rides, waterslides, and the return of the Bell Museum Summer Discovery Day Camps. These popular weeklong camps—nominated by Minnesota parents for Nickelodeon's 2008 Parent's Pick top summer camp award—are packed with hands-on projects that encourage kids to explore the fields of science, art, and technology. Plus, Bell Museum camps are filled with great summer fun on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
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