Amanda J. Respess
Public Relations Director
Museum of Arts and Sciences
4182 Forsyth Road
Macon, GA 31210
478.477.3232 X 317
www.masmacon.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Museum of Arts and Sciences Invaded by Giant Insects!

June 16, 2010 – Macon – Museum of Arts and Science visitors are in for a BIG surprise this weekend when an extraordinary group of larger-than-life robotic insects move in for a four-month stay from June 19 through October 10, 2010. The World of Giant Insects, presented by Robins Federal Credit Union, opens June 19 with the Museum’s annual “Bug Day” family event beginning at 10:00 a.m. Bug Day 2010 is sponsored by Allgood Pest Solutions.

The gargantuan insects arrived at the Museum on June 8. Museum exhibit curators and technical specialists assembled and positioned six big bugs including a 60-times life size Chinese praying mantis, a 120-times life size giant stick bug, a 30-times life size swallowtail butterfly caterpillar, a 70-times life size dessert locust and two 40-times life size Rhinoceros beetles. Each giant insect is surrounded by its own unique habitat.

Also included in the exhibit are huge close-ups of the heads of a honey bee, a dragon fly and a mosquito. These detailed heads allow visitors to see how each insect hunts and eats its prey.

The huge animatronic insects in The World of Giant Insects exhibit are manufactured by Kokoro Dinosaurs using the latest robotic technology. A computer-controlled air compressor gives each insect its own unique sequence of movement. Kokoro Dinosaurs is the same company that developed the robotic dinosaur exhibit that the Museum of Arts and Sciences has hosted several times previously, always with enthusiastic visitor response. This is the first time that the Museum has exhibited Kokoro’s giant insects.

In addition to all of the giant, moving bugs in the exhibit, the Museum is also presenting an exhibit of exotic live insects in the Mini Zoo area. The living collection will include an emperor scorpion, a Chilean rose tarantula, death head cockroaches, cave crickets and numerous spiders.

The Museum will also have on display an extensive collection of preserved specimens, for visitors who prefer to see insects that are not moving! Museum curators have worked with the entomology departments of several Georgia colleges and universities to put together the preserved collection. The Museum borrowed bugs from Macon State College, Georgia College and State University, the University of Georgia and Mercer University.

There are several events and programs scheduled in conjunction with The World of Giant Insects. The Museum will lead a field trip to the Calloway Gardens Butterfly Center on July 19. Fees for the trip are $75 for members or $85 for non-members (adults) and $55 for members or $60 for non-members (children age 6-12).

The Museum also presents special bug-themed programs every Saturday morning during the summer months, starting June 26 and running through August 28. Every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. there will be a different buggy activity or program including famous bug movies, bug identification hikes, workshops on starting your own insect collection and more. All of these programs are included with regular museum admission.

Even with insects everywhere, the Museum continues to offer something for everyone throughout the summer. The Museum’s ongoing “Feats of Clay” exhibit features the work of Georgia artist Tim Taunton through August 9, in addition to contemporary ceramics from the Museum’s permanent collection. The Museum will also be showcasing the work of New York landscape artist Martin Weinstein beginning June 18 and running through August 9.

Both the Mark Smith Planetarium and the Mini Zoo are offering an extended summer show schedule. Through July 30, planetarium programs are Tuesday through Sunday at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. with special children’s shows at noon Tuesday through Saturday. Also through July 30, the Mini Zoo presents live animal shows Tuesday through Friday at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., Saturday at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

The Museum of Arts and Sciences is open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Museum features changing exhibitions of fine art, science and the humanities, a Discovery House for children, a full-dome planetarium, a Mini Zoo with over 70 live animals, an auditorium, a Museum Store, nature trails and gardens. The Museum of Arts and Sciences is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a Smithsonian Affiliated institution. For more information, visit www.MASmacon.com or call 478-477-3232.

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