Special Exhibits
2011 Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition
Sometimes you have to break the rules to get results. Gene Furr, the 2011 Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition Grand Prize winner, did that for his winning shot of the great egret. His photo, along with 30 other winning shots, will be on display through March 31.
“Most of the time, you do not want to photograph birds from the rear, but breaking this rule gave me a special image,” said Furr. “I am so honored to win the Grand Prize.” Furr is no newcomer to photography. During his 30 years at The News & Observer of Raleigh, he won more than 300 awards while serving as staff photographer, chief photographer and photography coach. He retired in 2002 and starting photographing wildlife.
Now in its seventh year, the Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition seeks to encourage high-quality nature photography and to identify talented wildlife photographers working in North Carolina. This year’s field totaled 3,689 photographs from approximately 1,000 photographers. Judges were: WINC art director Marsha Tillett, WINC photographer Melissa McGaw, Museum senior manager of outreach Mike Dunn, and Wildlife Resources Commission public information officer Jodie Owen.
The Photo Competition is held in collaboration with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and the NC Division of Parks and Recreation, with support from JW Photo of Raleigh (Exhibition Sponsor).
Titanic: The Exhibition
Coming September 29, 2012
On April 15, 1912, Titanic, the world’s largest ship of its time, sank after colliding with an iceberg, claiming more than 1,500 lives and shaking the world’s confidence in the infallibility of modern technology. One hundred years later, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, which showcases 200 artifacts retrieved from the wreck site of Titanic, arrives at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
The story of the sinking is legendary; now experience the wonder and tragedy of the ill-fated “ship of dreams” on a journey through Titanic history.
Experience Titanic's fateful 1912 maiden voyage and take on the identity of a real passenger onboard Titanic as you explore magnificent re-creations of the ship's interior. Discover how the 'unsinkable' ship met its tragic end and connect with the passengers and crew, as you view haunting artifacts recovered from the wreck during the eight research and recovery expeditions conducted by RMS Titanic, Inc. since the ship’s discovery in 1985.
RMS Titanic, Inc. has a singular purpose: to faithfully and respectfully preserve the memory of Titanic and of all who sailed with her. In all activities and events related to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences wishes to remember and honor those whose lives were lost due to the Titanic’s tragic sinking 100 years ago.
Past Exhibits
Genghis Khan: The Exhibition
November 19, 2011–January 22, 2012
This exhibition is the largest collection ever assembled of the treasures of the Empire of Genghis Khan, from the Mongolian Ministry of Education, Culture and Science as well as private collections.
Genghis Khan is famous as the ruthless Mongol warlord who conquered half the known world. Under his rule, the Mongol Empire grew to be four times the size of the Roman Empire at its largest extent; or equal in size to the continent of Africa. Less well known is that Genghis Khan is also revered as an innovative leader and statesman who brought unity, stability and religious tolerance to most of Asia and parts of Europe.
The exhibition tells the amazing true story of Khan — his life, his land, his people, his culture and his enduring legacy. Highlights include a collection of rare treasures such as jewelry, ornaments and musical instruments, as well as weapons made famous by Khan and his warriors. See models of powerful siege weapons —a traction trebuchet (an early catapult) and an oversized triple-crossbow — which were vital to the Mongols’ capture of walled cities. Along with other weapons such as battle axes, scimitars, lances and powerful bows, steel stirrups and even silk underwear were instrumental parts of Mongolian war attire. Steel stirrups allowed warriors to stand in the saddle and deliver devastating blows to foot soldiers and rival cavalry. Silk undergarments were tough and lightweight, not easily torn under heavy armor or by arrows.
A recent addition to this exhibition is a mummified Mongolian princess from the time of Genghis Khan — along with her wood coffin, fine silk robes, pearl earrings and many other tomb treasures. The mummy, on loan from the Institute of Archaeology of the Mongolian Academy of Science, was discovered by Mongolian archaeologists in the Western Gobi Desert, naturally preserved by the arid conditions of a sheltered cave. The location of Khan’s tomb is still one of modern archaeology’s most enduring mysteries.
Our Expanding Oceans: The Blending of Art and Science
Glow: Living Lights
Resources for other past exhibits
