With many places reopening after several quiet weeks or even months, there are some new exhibits to visit around the city of Fort Wayne. 

Calm Conservatory

The Botanical Conservatory has an appropriately themed exhibit now through Nov. 14 called “Present Tense, Future Calm.” 

Understanding that many are going through some difficult times as the uncertainty of our current situation can loom large, their current exhibit is focused more on providing a calming space than invoking a particular theme or pop culture objective. 

According to a press release, “This summer and fall, the Conservatory invites you to escape the turbulence of daily life when embarking on a journey and exploring a garden state of mind. All are welcome to step into our Showcase Garden, designed to help you pause. Relax. Reflect.” 

Gardens are often a soothing environment, and a visit to the Botanical Conservatory — and maybe a restful stop on one of their benches — will help alleviate some anxiety while getting you out of the 90-degree sun.

Museum of Art Moves ahead

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art has also reopened and is continuing several exhibits which opened before the shutdown. 

Current exhibits include “Salvatore Dali’s Stairway to Heaven” open through Aug. 16, “Hidden Truths: New Paintings by Francisco Valverde” open through Aug. 30, “Here and Now: A Survey on New Contemporary Art” open through Aug. 30, “Hope Dies Last: The New Armenia” featuring work by photographer Michelle Andonian open through Sept. 27, and “By Women: Selections from the Permanent Collection” open through Sept. 13.

Upcoming exhibits include “Posing Beauty in African American Culture” which opens Aug. 22, “American Impressionism: Treasures from the Daywood Collection” which opens Sept. 19, and “Color X Color: Selections from the Chuck Sperry Collection” which opens Oct. 24.

Science Central Flexes its ‘Flexhibits’

Science Central has also reopened. While the staff are limiting the number of guests at any one time to facilitate social distancing and closing from 1-2 p.m. so they can clean and sanitize the building, business is almost back to normal for the hands-on, interactive center. 

From now until Sept. 13, the touring exhibit is “Flexhibits.” Science Central describes it as an “engaging, multi-user, multi-outcome, and multi-function learning environment for all visitors. These hands-on units were developed by engineers, architects, scientists, and teachers well-versed in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). They will help educate adults and kids alike across the many facets of physical, natural, and applied sciences.” 

With kids home since March, now’s the time to get them back into thinking about the world of science and ready for more learning through play and fun.