Do you remember the name Walter Wick? If not, your children probably do.
Wick is the acclaimed photographer and creator behind the beloved I SPY and Can You See What I See? book series that have challenged and delighted young readers for decades. This fall, families will have the chance to step inside his imaginative world when the High Museum of Art presents I SPY! Walter Wick’s Hidden Wonders (through January 3, 2027), the largest exhibition of his work to date.
The exhibition will feature many of Wick’s iconic photographs, alongside the intricate three-dimensional models used to create them. According to exhibition curator Andrew Westover, Wick’s work is unique because it exists at the crossroads of several disciplines.
“Wick’s work is unique because it operates at the intersection of photography, sculpture and puzzle-making,” Westover explained. “The storytelling emerges through discovery, and viewers actively participate by searching, noticing and interpreting.”
For children, that spirit of discovery is part of the magic. Familiar images from books such as I SPY Fantasy will be displayed on a much larger scale than readers have ever seen before. Visitors can spend time examining every detail, searching for hidden objects and experiencing the joy of finding something others may have missed.
The exhibition is also designed specifically with families in mind. Works are hung at child-friendly heights, reading areas encourage families to linger together and interactive moments invite visitors of all ages to participate.
In a world filled with screens and constant distractions, Westover believes Wick’s work offers something increasingly valuable.
“In a fast-paced, screen-driven environment, sustained attention is increasingly rare,” he said. “Wick’s work invites viewers to slow down, concentrate and engage deeply.”
For parents who grew up turning the pages of I SPY books, the exhibition offers a healthy dose of nostalgia. For children, it provides an opportunity to exercise curiosity, imagination and observation. For families, it creates something even more special: a shared experience.