May 13, 2025 - News
Tampa’s MOSI unveils mythical creatures exhibit
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A sculpture of Mami Wata, a mermaid and goddess in West African folklore. Photo: Courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History
Tampa's Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) opens a new exhibition this weekend that explores how real animals, fossils and cultural traditions may have inspired mythical creatures like mermaids.
Zoom in: Guests of all ages learn how sightings of giant squids roused tales of the kraken, how narwhal tusks became unicorns and more.
- The exhibit — created by the American Museum of Natural History in New York — is available for a limited time. It features interactive experiences, sculptures, carvings and ancient artifacts.
What they're saying: "This exhibition is a reminder that myths aren't just make-believe," said John Graydon Smith, CEO of MOSI.
- "They reflect our need to understand the unknown, and they show how science and imagination have always been connected."
