In everyday circumstances, seeing a four-foot bug would cause alarm.
This is not the case though at Minnetrista Cultural center through August. The center will be home for the exhibition “Bugs: Outside the Box” and “Wicked Bugs,” which feature, most prominently, a collection of oversized, anatomically correct insects.
Also featured in the exhibit are some interactive bug-related activities, as well as a small collection of preserved bugs.
“It’s summer time, there are bugs everywhere," said Hannah Whiteman, communication specialist for Minnetrista. “A lot of the younger children might sometimes be afraid of bugs, and this exhibit will help them understand them a bit better.”
A few days ago the Ball Butterfly collection opened. The collection includes more than 200 specimens of butterflies from around the world that were accumulated by Margaret Ball Petty and Elizabeth Ball. All of the butterflies are preserved and on display for the first time in recent history.
They are all shapes and colors, filling four glass cases.
“We felt that this was a great opportunity to incorporate some of our collection into the exhibit space,” Whiteman said. “It’s great to get them out of storage and have visitors take a look.”
Admission is $5, or free for members and children under 3.
