This summer, escape Houston's sizzling temperatures while delving into the worlds of science, culture, and art. Spend a day with family and friends at one of these must-see summer exhibitions – where every type of visitor will discover something fascinating.
Audubon's Birds of America
This summer, HMNS is giving visitors a chance to check out Birds of America by John James Audubon, first published between 1827 and 1838. The show features 46 prints from a rare unbound set from National Museums Scotland. These life-sized bird illustrations helped shape ornithology. Along with the art, the exhibit dives into the story behind Audubon's legacy—both the impact of his work and the conversations it still sparks today.
Nature's Hidden Hazards
Nature is full of surprises, both beautiful and deadly. From rainforests filled with colorful creatures to hidden dangers such as venomous snakes, toxic plants, and creepy crawlies, the wild can be just as risky as it is fascinating. By popular demand, HMNS reopened Death by Natural Causes; the exhibition is a crowd favorite that explores animal, vegetable, and mineral threats, including what may have driven Van Gogh mad and why tomatoes once terrified people.
Extreme Animals Alive
This summer exhibition invites visitors to explore the wide range of animal adaptations found in nature. The exhibit features animals such as whip scorpions, savannah monitors, prehensile porcupines, fennec foxes, and others. Guests will learn about adaptations that help animals shape-shift, glow, survive extreme temperatures, and even influence the behavior of other animals.
The Eternal Garden: Titanium Art by Aka Chen
The exhibition presents 20 sculptures that blend jewelry design with Chinese brush painting using titanium and gemstones. Visitors will experience the intersection of art, science, and culture through Chen's creations. The works range in size from small vases to a 30-foot-wide polyptych, demonstrating Chen's skill in turning a strong, complex material into striking visual pieces. hmns.org