Opens Saturday, May 17:

In Harmony with Nature II: Photos by Donald M. Robinson
May 17–Sept. 14, 2008
R.P. Simmons Family Gallery

In Harmony with Nature II: Photos by Donald M. Robinson is a celebration of the works of a nationally acclaimed photographer. For more than 50 years, Don Robinson has explored landscapes, wildlife, and the human condition. From the dawn of nature’s beauty to the last frontiers on Earth, these pictorial essays extend beyond documentation; the collection is a novel of personal experiences and expressions of the universe and all its glory. This vast collection is on loan to Carnegie Museum of Natural History from the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.

Arresting Arrangements - Photos by Craig Cutler
Through July 27
Entrance Gallery

This exhibit features 20 large-scale photos by New York photographer Craig Cutler. Craig documented the remounting of Carnegie Museum of Natural History dinosaurs last year at Phil Fraley Productions. Craig’s photos capture the curious juxtaposition of dinosaur parts and human intervention as still life. Many of the photos include the rigging apparatuses for staging and re-posturing the multitude of fragile fossil parts.

Time Machines: Watches from the H.J. Heinz Collection
Through July 6
Wertz Gallery, Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems

Pittsburgh ketchup and sauce magnate H.J. Heinz (1844-1919) amassed an extensive collection of timepieces during his lifetime. These chronometers offer an array of incredible artistry and amazing mechanical ingenuity.

Through this collection, it is possible to study the evolution of watches as machines, tracing the steps in development from portable sundial to more modern sophisticated mechanical watches. Examples include a gold mechanical “repeating watch” with figures that strike the hour; a watch owned by Lord Nelson, the hero of the Battle of Trafalgar; and a music box watch with a feathered singing bird.

The Heinz Collection is regarded as one of the most important timepiece collections in the United States. H.J. Heinz donated the collection to Carnegie Museum of Natural History in 1917.

Dinosaurs in Their Time: T. rex Returns
June 15, 2008

T. rex returns to Pittsburgh when the final phase of Dinosaurs in Their Time (the late Cretaceous Period and the end of the Age of Dinosaurs) is unveiled. The final and most dramatic part of the exhibit features two T. rex specimens locked in a battle over the fallen body of another dinosaur. This is the final phase of the renovation and expansion of the Carnegie’s collection of dinosaurs. Phase One opened in November 2007 featuring the Triassic, Jurassic, and parts of the Cretaceous periods. Click here to visit the Dinosaurs in Their Time Web site for updates and Web cams.

Setting Trends: National Jewelry Institute Designer Showcase
Opens July 26, 2008

See the designs that inspire tomorrow's jewelry trends! This exhibit will feature 39 designers including Gucci, Cartier, Bulgari, and more.

Silver, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Diamond, and Pearl Octopus by Marchak

Born of Fire: The Pottery of Margaret Tafoya
October 4, 2008–January 4, 2009

Considered a master of her art, Margaret Tafoya was the last of the matriarchs of the early 20th century pueblo potters. Inspired by tales from her parents and grandparents, Margaret, as well as her mother, was known for her ability to make unusually large storage and water jars made in the tradition of her ancestors.

Born of Fire: The Pottery of Margaret Tafoya is the first ever east coast exhibition and features over 75 pieces created by Margaret and her mother, daughters, and rare early works from Santa Clara Pueblo from which Margaret was inspired.

Photo from Margaret Tafoya: A Tewa Potter's Heritage and Legacy by Mary Ellen and Laurence Blair.