Cabinet of Curiosities

It was a July afternoon and I had stepped up to cover the front desk for the last few hours of the work day. Visitation usually slows down after lunch, so we're afforded more leisurely conversations as we get to know our visitors. When a friendly couple checked in and immediately gravitated towards our carved fish sculpture, I naturally started chatting with them about the amazing artistry exhibited by the display. "Well, this is Charlie himself - he did the fish!"  proudly announced his wife! Charlie Dutter, artist behind the freshwater fish sculpture in our lobby,  poses with his work (2024). The Museum receives regular commentary from  visitors that they didn't realize the fish were wood carvings rather than real fish! Find the specimen profile here . I was delighted to meet the artist - a bit starstruck, in fact - having joined the Museum after he had already donated his work to our collection. Charlie thanked us for helping us clear a space in his garage (where t