| Water’s Extreme Journey, opening this Wednesday, Sept. 23, transforms visitors into rain droplets and sends them on a quest for clean water as the Museum celebrates Our Blue Planet |
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| The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is continuing its year-long celebration of Our Blue Planet with the Wednesday, Sept. 23, opening of its newest special exhibition: the Wyland-inspired Water’s Extreme Journey. This special exhibition in the Museum’s East Gallery transforms visitors into raindrops and sends them through a maze depicted as our watershed — a journey that takes them through mountains, streams, wetlands and even their own backyards — all while trying to steer clear of pollution and ultimately reach a healthy ocean. This a-mazing experience engages visitors through play, scientific inquiry, art and action, illuminating human impacts great and small while teaching how to contribute to healthy, safe water in their community and beyond. |
| “The Bishop is a natural science and history museum on Florida’s Gulf coast, so clean water and healthy watersheds are fundamental topics for us,” said Matthew D. Woodside, The Bishop’s Chief Curator and Director of Exhibitions. “But water is also so abundant here that we may not always ‘see’ it. This exhibition helps to showcase its role in our lives and how our simple daily activities can have lasting impacts. “The maze is a fun way to illustrate the science of water and our stewardship of it. Where does pollution come from? How do we contribute? These are especially important questions in a community so close to the water’s edge.” | Join Us for a Virtual Opening Reception on Zoom!Join us on Zoom for a virtual sneak-peek of this a-mazing exhibition! Director of Exhibitions and Chief Curator Matt Woodside will showcase the exhibition and highlight its major themes and how this exhibition is relevant to the Museum’s mission, our local watershed, and the world today. Have questions? Matt will answer them here! When: 7pm Tuesday, Sept. 22Where: On ZoomCost: Free for members of the Discovery Society; $3 for all othersRegister Now |
| Water’s Extreme Journey was developed by Minotaur Mazes in partnership with renowned artist Wyland, best known for the marine life murals he painted around the world between 1981 and 2008. “With a little luck, and a few attempts, visitors learn how to make cleaner choices and discover the rewards of a healthy ocean,” says Wyland. Visitors can continue the celebration of Our Blue Planet as they explore the rest of the Museum, learning about the role water played in the lives of Florida’s earliest inhabitants — from animals to humans — in the Great Hall, Land of Change, Fabulous Florida Seas and Archaic Peoples galleries on the Museum’s first floor. In the second floor galleries, the River Heritage Hall examines the economics, government, culture, and geography of the community with a focus of local maritime history, and the Environmental Hall allows guests to discover riverine, pine uplands, estuary and Gulf ecosystems. Visitors can also have a “(Virtual) Water Adventure” through Pathways, the Museum’s free tour app. This special guide helps guests learn fun and fascinating connections among history, science and nature. Simply download the free app on your smartphone or tablet and bring it with you — or use it at home. “And, of course, the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat allows guests to meet one of our local species that also depends on clean water: manatees,” Woodside said. “In Southwest Florida, water really is everywhere we look and it impacts our lives in big and small ways every day. What’s not to celebrate?” Water’s Extreme Journey is open to the public Sept. 23 through Jan. 3, 2021. Visiting the exhibition is included in the price of admission. Please note that visitors older than age 2 are required to wear masks. Plan your visit at www.BishopScience.org/welcome-back. |
| As the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (formerly South Florida Museum) offers fun and engaging exhibitions and programs that interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe. In addition to permanent exhibitions, The Bishop features a constantly changing lineup of special exhibitions — offering something new to discover with each visit — and Pathways, a custom, interactive app that offers guests specially curated tours of the Museum. The Bishop includes an all-digital Planetarium — the only one of its kind on Florida’s Gulf Coast — the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, where we help rehabilitate sick or injured manatees for their return to the wild, and the Mosaic Backyard Universe, built especially for young children and their families. Our Mission: To engage and inspire learners of all ages; we protect, interpret and communicate scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world, and our universe. Visit www.BishopScience.org for hours, info and admission details or call 941-746-4131. |