It’s been years since I’ve written about the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Seven years, to be exact. When we lived in the Denver area, we had a membership. We don’t often get there these days. However, when I got a media invite to the new Orcas exhibit, I needed to go. I am one of those lucky people who grew up with orca sightings and orca-inspired Native American art. In fact, this exhibit made me a little homesick.
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and have been a huge fan of orcas for my entire life. When I moved to Colorado in 2000, I was addicted to Orca Live and kept it on my computer all the time at the law office where I worked.
Honestly, I went into this exhibit feeling like I knew a lot about orcas, and this exhibit probably wouldn’t be educational but rather nostalgic. Turns out it was both educational and nostalgic.
The exhibit is a joint venture between and produced by the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, Canada and Museums Partner in Austria. I have been to the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria. My mother and I were reprimanded by museum guards for lounging. We’d had enough of museum strolling and were lounging on the museum furniture instead of sitting like proper women. We still giggle about this nearly 35 years later.
“Orcas: Our Shared Future” covers everything from orcas in history to orca biology. There is also a lot of orca art, how orcas have influenced culture (including movies), and current orca information. While some of the content was familiar, I learned a lot and was reminded of some stories I’d forgotten, like the story of Luna the Orca. Also, I don’t think I ever thought about the fact that orcas are in oceans across the world (not just the tiny corner I grew up in).
Dust Bowl Road Trip: The Museum Issue
I would have had more orca calls throughout the exhibit. I believe it’s one of the most fascinating and delightful noises an animal makes. Better than a barking dog (and I love dogs). I like that the exhibit weaves video and art to tell the comprehensive story of this complex creature, and our complex relationship with it. For those who didn’t grow up with real orcas swimming in the waters around them, it is a wonderful way to learn creatively about this amazing creature.
“Orcas: Our Shared Future” will run through September 2. Visit this spring or summer to experience one of nature’s enchanting creatures.
