As lifelong supporters of the arts, Wandering Educators is proud and honored to cosponsor a new art exhibit curated by the extraordinary Art For All Spaces in collaboration with one of our favorites: Orlando Science Center.
Elegy for the Unseen: The Art of Extinct Species, a compelling special exhibition, opens Saturday, August 29, 2026, and continues through Sunday, November 15, 2026, in Fusion: A STEAM Gallery on the third floor of Orlando Science Center, during normal Science Center operating hours.
This ambitious exhibition explores the memory, mystery, and scientific significance of species that have vanished from our world.
Biologists estimate that more than 99% of all species that have ever lived are now extinct—a staggering figure translating to over 5 billion lost species throughout Earth’s history. The scale of that loss is almost unimaginable.
Elegy for the Unseen transforms that sobering reality into a visual experience, inviting visitors to consider creatures long gone but not forgotten through the eyes of contemporary artists and student creators.
Visitors will encounter artistic interpretations of extinct species ranging from prehistoric giants to lesser-known vanished lifeforms. Be prepared to see Eric Wise’s depiction of the Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalensis), Trish Jimenez’s Dire Wolf (Aenocyon dirus), Angelo Vazquez’s Tyrannosaurus rex, Vera Gubnitskaia’s ammonite, and many other compelling interpretations of species lost to time.
New Man of Neader Valley by Eric Wise
As a special bonus for visitors, the exhibition will also feature a genuine 200-million-year-old ammonite fossil from Brad Biggs’ personal collection, offering guests the rare opportunity to view an authentic remnant of prehistoric life alongside the artistic interpretations inspired by Earth’s vanished species.
In a unique educational collaboration, the exhibition includes artwork by 11 students from Pace Brantley Preparatory School, exhibited alongside established adult artists, reinforcing the exhibition’s commitment to intergenerational learning, scientific curiosity, and creative exploration.
Adding to the educational value of the exhibition, several gallery walkthroughs will be offered during the exhibition’s run on select weekends, led by educator Gisel Arias of Pace Brantley Preparatory School. She will discuss extinct species, their scientific context, and the artistic interpretations presented in the gallery. Dates and times will be announced at a later date. These educational talks will be open to all Orlando Science Center guests.
Tyrannosaurus rex by Angelo Vasquez
Participating artists include established adult artists and emerging student creators from Pace Brantley Preparatory School, including: Yve Nix, Linda Brant, Eric Wise, Patricia Byron, Parker Sketch, Scott Fraizer, Ken Cashon, Marsha DeBroske, Vera Gubnitskaia, Chad Pollpeter, Deborah Knipsel, Teri Chin, Bob Smedley, Angelo Vazquez, Trish Jimenez, Byron Walker, John Baker, Jessica Rodriguez, Julie Nieves, Janae Corrado, Natasha Schaidt, Doug Bloodworth, Brian Strigal, and 11 student artists from Pace Brantley Preparatory School.
“This exhibition merges art, science, education, and remembrance,” said Brad Biggs, Director of Art For All Spaces. “Extinction is not simply ancient history—it is an ongoing reality. Through art, we can reflect on what has been lost, what can still be protected, and the profound fragility of life on Earth.”
Attercopus Fimbriunguis Watercolor by Julie Nieves
The exhibition is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Baxter Systems, Roberta Alfonso, Ken Cashon, Vicki Green, Wandering Educators.com, Kyno Films, Downtown Arts District, A Perfect Union Art Gallery, Mills Gallery, Fine Arts 807, and many additional supporters committed to making meaningful arts education accessible to the community.
Located in Orlando Science Center’s Fusion: A STEAM Gallery, Elegy for the Unseen promises a visually engaging and thought-provoking experience where science and creative expression intersect—offering visitors an opportunity to contemplate extinction not as an abstract statistic, but as a deeply human story of loss, discovery, and imagination.
Elegy for the Unseen is included with general admission to Orlando Science Center and free to OSC Members.
About Art For All Spaces
Art For All Spaces is an Orlando-based arts organization dedicated to creating compelling, accessible exhibitions that connect artists with the public through meaningful cultural experiences, education, and creative collaboration.
About Orlando Science Center
Orlando Science Center is Central Florida’s award-winning, hands-on science museum. For more than 70 years, our exhibits and programming have brought science to life for not just residents of Central Florida, but also visitors from around the world. With four floors of interactive exhibit halls, labs and workshops, theaters, an observatory, and experiences that change with the seasons, there is always something exciting for our more than 650,000 annual visitors to see and do at Orlando Science Center. OSC reaches 153,000 students and educators each year through our STEM Discovery Center educational programs, both onsite at the Science Center and offsite at schools and community organizations. The Science Center was incorporated in 1955 as the Central Florida Museum and opened in Orlando Loch Haven Park in 1960. The existing facility opened in 1997 and has undergone numerous major renovations to keep content current and engaging.
Feature photo: Different Age, Same Moon, by Chad Pollpeter
All photos courtesy and copyright the artists, published with permission