At the DeVos Art Museum, the permanent collection exhibit “Critters” has put the spotlight on animal depictions from across culture and history. In a variety of media, the exhibit focuses on relationships between humans and animals through sculpture, painting, woodcarving, and weaving.
“[The exhibit] examines our complex emotional and social relationships with animals and the environments we share with them,” the museum wrote. “We revere, fear, love, appreciate and are comforted by animals.”
The permanent collection exhibit room, half of the art museum’s display space, features artwork from the museum’s collection and archives, which has been growing since the university established a museum as the Lee Hall Gallery in 1975.
With over 2,000 items in the permanent collection, the annual exhibits allow every facet of the museum’s long history to shine. “Critters” is especially fascinating, with the display allowing visitors to examine the intricate details of the animal artwork up close.
While you can’t touch the artwork, it’s easy to get up close with the finer points of ivory sculpture, hand-stitching and woodcarvings, many of which are shown without cases. While some of the pieces were designed as works of art to be showcased, others are simply household items, like grease bowls for salmon fat and mirrors for household use. Many of them serve dual purpose, such as the duck decoys on display.
The “Critters” exhibit will be open until February 2, 2026.
