Ancient creatures lost to time are taking center stage at the Orlando Science Center this fall. “Elegy for the Unseen: The Art of Extinct Species,” presented by the Orlando arts organization Art For All Spaces, is on view in the museum’s Fusion: A STEAM Gallery on the third floor through November 15, 2026.
The exhibition transforms one of science’s most staggering facts into art: scientists estimate that more than 99 percent of all species that ever lived on Earth have vanished. Through paintings, sculpture, fossils, and conceptual works, visitors meet artistic interpretations of the Neanderthal, the dire wolf, the Tyrannosaurus rex, and the humble ammonite, among many others.
What makes the show especially joyful is its intergenerational spirit. Alongside established artists such as Eric Wise, Trish Jimenez, and Angelo Vazquez, eleven high school students from Pace Brantley Preparatory School are exhibiting their own work in the gallery — a rare chance for young creators to share walls with professionals.
A highlight for curious minds of all ages is a genuine 200-million-year-old ammonite fossil from the personal collection of curator Brad Biggs, displayed right beside the artwork it inspired. Select weekends also feature gallery walkthroughs with an educator, open to all museum guests.
The exhibition is included with general admission and free for Orlando Science Center members. It is a beautiful reminder that the biodiversity we share today is fragile — and worth protecting.
Photo: Angelo Vazquez, courtesy of Art For All Spaces
