Though small in nature, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art is most certainly mighty. The exhibits featured are thoughtfully designed and will appeal to a wide range of viewers. I couldn't remember the last time I attended the museum, though I think it was on a grade school trip, so I decided to venture there today and see what was it was like. I had no idea what I had been missing out on! The pieces there were really astonishing and incredibly interesting, and I ended up enjoying myself more than I had anticipated. Vibrant colors and rich textures jump off the canvas and spring to life at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art's latest exhibit, Biological Canvas. This exhibit, on display through June 22, features the work of three contemporary artists whose work is "on the cutting edge of an emerging trend to manipulate and reinterpret biological forms of subject matter." When first walking into the exhibit, the bright hues caught my eye. Upon closer examination of the works, I found the juxtaposition of natural, biological, and mechanical, coupled with the power of innovation and imagination extremely intriguing. The variety of work encompassed in this exhibit leaves an impression, engages viewers, and is definitely worth a visit.

The first piece I saw upon walking into the exhibit was Scott Teplin's "Tuber Natural." This massive watercolor on paper looks like a giant bundle of the veins on a human heart. The piece grabs the eye with bright, pastel colors and keeps the viewer's attention with the texture of the muscles in the tangle of veins. Teplin's large works are impressive feats of artistic ability and truly breathtaking. Another interesting piece was an oil on wood panel titled, "Tales of a Dream Catcher," by Yis "NoseGo" Goodwin. This painting features tigers as one of the central images, which appear suspended in a sort of dream state, floating in a mixture of particles and clouds. The image takes on a fantastical element with pops of bright color; it is a bit like looking into a kaleidoscope. Goodwin's use of color and negative space bring the painting together and make it an image that will stay with you. The third artist featured in the exhibit has oil paintings as well as oil paintings overlaid on top of old photographs. It is these last images that are particularly interesting. The unexpected and unique pops of color give the images interest and a bit of a haunting quality. The Biological Canvas is only one of four exhibits currently on display at the museum. There is also: Roseville - Art in Natural Form, which features pottery from Roseville, Ohio; Rims and Fins - The Golden Age of American Bicycles; and America's Spirit - Evolution of a National Style, which features of variety of mediums including oil paintings, furniture, and clocks. All these exhibits offer a variety to visitors; the lines and structures of both the bikes, the pottery, and the furniture are intriguing and worth a second glance. The museum offers a manageable amount of pieces; it isn't too large to bring the family along, and would be an enjoyable afternoon for attendees of all ages. The bright colors of the Biological Canvas exhibit along with some of the fun bicycles - like the Donald Duck bike - will keep kids engaged and entertained. Further, the prime location in downtown Fort Wayne, next to Freimann Square Park and close to all the great dining options, make it a great afternoon outing sure to not disappoint. If it's been awhile, like it had for me, or you have never been at all, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art is well worth a second look!