The Mouse House: Art from the Collection of Olga Hirshhorn
July 25, 2009 – October 18, 2009
Over the years, Olga Hirshhorn has acquired everything from Greek, African and pre-Columbian sculptures to paintings, prints and drawings by stellar 20th-century artists such as Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, Georgia O’Keeffe, Louise Nevelson, Alexander Calder and many more. The art and artifacts have overfilled her diminutive Washington, D.C., home, which she calls the “Mouse House.” The exhibition recreates the intimate character of that dwelling and its collection with the nearly 200 works displayed everywhere, including the medicine cabinet. The exhibition is supported by the Charles M. and Deborah G. Royce Exhibition Fund.

Alchemy: Magic, Myth or Science?
September 26, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Offering a multi-faceted introduction to the practice of alchemy from ancient times through its flourishing in the 16th and 17th centuries, this major, interdisciplinary exhibition explores the history of alchemy and both the science and art it inspired. The show features mineral specimens, scientific instruments, paintings and prints, historical documents, and appropriate animal specimens to describe the practice of alchemy and its place in the beginnings of modern chemistry. Plans include a diorama of an alchemical laboratory, as well as a short video film demonstrating chemical reactions. The exhibition is organized by the Bruce Museum and is a registered resource for the Year of Science 2009 sponsored by the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science.