Kid-friendly spider exhibit opens at Peggy Notebaert museum: 'It's really not creepy'

On Saturday morning, a group of curious kids congregated at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, hoping to get a glimpse of a spider.

They peered up at a demonstrator, who tried to coax a Brazilian black tarantula named “Doc” out of its cage.

“He’s a little bit nervous,” Cat Chorney said.

“So are we,” a child quipped.

But there was no need to be. The live demonstrations are just a small part of “The Art and Science of Arachnids” exhibit, which opened Saturday. Despite the subject matter, the curators have designed a welcoming space, full of bright colors, art and fun activities.

The two dozen live spiders, scorpions and other animals are concealed in cases. Visitors can keep their distance and take in the fun facts and pictures. Or they can marvel at fake, cartoon-like spider sculptures also on display.

Kids crawled under one of the figures to weave their own webs. Others climbed a makeshift web, assembled spider puzzles, read bug books or played with models. In other words, visitors can choose their level of exposure in the family-friendly exhibit, created to be interactive, educational and fear-free.

“It's really not creepy,” said Erin Amico, the museum’s president and chief executive. “One of the things we're trying to address is, how do we educate people about spiders in a way that isn’t fear-based? So you won't see any dark corners. There are no cobwebs. But we’re also really leaning into the science.”

Arachnids are arthropods that have hard exoskeletons, jointed appendages and eight legs. Arachnids are not insects, which have six legs.

Produced by the Canadian firm Little Ray’s Exhibitions, the show features a variety of non-deadly arachnid species from all over the world. That includes Guyana pink-toe tarantulas; Venezuelan suntigers; and vinegaroons, or whipscorpions, which spray a vinegar-like, acidic liquid from their abdomens. Prior to entering, visitors will see some of the museum's preserved specimens of local arachnids from the 1950s and even decades earlier.

“The Art and Science of Arachnids” also emphasizes the importance of arachnids to the ecosystem. For example, each year, spiders consume 400 million to 800 million tons of prey, or at least as much as humans, according to a 2017 report.

Cat Chorney said these exhibits help educate the public about how to treat these animals, some of which are endangered or vulnerable.

"It bothers me that we're seeing such a rapid decline in a number of species just because of damage humans are doing to the environment," said Chorney, exhibit lead at Little Ray's Exhibitions, a prominent exotic animal rescue organization.

Chorney is also focused on changing the reputation of spiders as villains.

"We want to educate so you know what the spider is communicating to you, like if they're being defensive, nervous or curious. When people understand what the language is between you and the spider, the more comfortable they are critically thinking about what's going on instead of just smashing it."

Alejandro Aixala's 5-year-old son showed no fear at the exhibit, where he excitedly wove a web under the giant spider statue.

He "has a love of things that are a little macabre, so he's down," said Aixala, 47, of Bucktown.

The popularity of Spider-Man might also foster a comfort with spiders, Aixala speculated.

Arachnids' cultural significance extends beyond movies. The exhibit also includes information about the role of the animals in religion, mythology and digital-speak. There is even an instructional video showing visitors how to do the tarantella, a spider-inspired folk dance from Italy.

There were enough activities to keep the attention of families who formed a long line outside the museum before it opened.

Alexandra Hickey, one of the exhibit's early visitors, brought her 14-month-old daughter, Quinn.

"She's going to be very tired," said Hickey, 33, of Sauganash.

Hickey praised the museum for offering fun options during the winter months.

"This is super-engaging for kids," she said of the exhibit. "It definitely gives her something to do that I can't expose her to at home or in the neighborhood. It's developmentally appropriate and allows her to explore with all her senses."