Frozen in Flight: Taxidermy Birds from the Academy of Natural Sciences

 A kookaburra from the Academy of Natural Sciences collection, photographed by Jeff Fusco.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, founded in 1812, is America’s oldest natural history museum. For over 200 years, the Academy has carried out its mission to encourage and cultivate the sciences, exploring the remarkable diversity of our natural world and sharing these discoveries with the public. In 2011, an affiliation between the Academy and Drexel University was formed, drawing on the strengths of both institutions.

This exhibition displays approximately 50 taxidermy birds from the Academy’s collection side by side with fine and decorative arts from The Drexel Collection. The connection between art and nature has existed for centuries and through the juxtaposition of these artifacts you will see how art has drawn on the beauty of nature in multiple mediums, styles and forms. In this exhibition you will find lyre birds and ceramics, paintings and vultures and learn how these are connected through our fascination and interpretation of the natural world.

This exhibition is just a sneak peek of what can be discovered at the Academy and displays some of the collaborative efforts between the different departments at the Academy and Drexel University.

The exhibition is on display in the Rincliffe Gallery on the third floor of the Main Building at 3141 Chestnut St. from May 20 through August 22, 2016.

The Rincliffe Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Gallery is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Lynn Clouser, assistant director, The Drexel Collection, 215.895.2414, lcc48@drexel.edu.