Art of the Gecko

Sat., July 25-Mon., Sept. 7, free with $12 admission, Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Ben Franklin Parkway, 215-299-1000, ansp.org/artofthegecko.

by Kristen Humbert

visual art

Geckos aren't formidable creatures — no eyelids, no actual ability to get you cheaper car insurance — but they are beautiful, and the Academy of Natural Sciences is giving them some much-deserved due. In addition to its current live-lizard exhibit, "Geckos — Tails to Toepads," the museum partnered with local artists and NEXUS/Foundation for Today's Art to produce "Art of the Gecko." Mirroring the 75 live geckos on display, 75 local artists each embellished a 12-inch blank gecko sculpture. Participants took inspiration from the geckos, but, says NEXUS member Maureen Ciaccio, the rest was left to their "individual sensibilities" — resulting in everything from photographs to a "gecko gown."