Museum Galleries
The museum’s seven galleries feature changing art, science, and history exhibits, permanent exhibits of Jackson History, wildlife art, and a clock collection.
Current Exhibits
Dinosaur Safari
January 14 – May 14, 2023
Dinosaur Safari, an immersive exhibit for children and families, opens on January 14, 2023 at the Ella Sharp Museum. The nearly 2,500-square-foot exhibit features seven animatronic dinosaurs as well as hands-on stations that help children imagine themselves as paleontologists.
Fossils of Michigan and Ancient Creatures
January 14 – May 14, 2023
This exhibit consists of Creatures that once lived in the ancient tropical seas that dominated the area 350 million years ago. Creatures such as trilobites, corals, crinoids, gastropods, cephalopods, bryozoans, brachiopods and even primitive placoderm fish. This exhibit showcases commonly found Devonian through Pennsylvanian fossils of the Michigan Basin which includes Northern Indiana, Southern Ontario, Northern Ohio, Eastern Illinois and Wisconsin.
MOSA Horizon Exhibition
November 5, 2022 – January 31, 2023
The Ella Sharp Museum is thrilled to be the premier location for this amazing new traveling exhibition from the Museum of Special Art (MOSA). The Horizon Exhibition features an eclectic collection of realistic, modern and abstract works from 18 different artists from across the U.S., Spain, and Canada. This exhibition is one that will truly leave you inspired as our community celebrates the artistic gifts and talents of artists with differing abilities. The Ella Sharp Museum is dedicated to embracing and sharing artwork from all individuals. This exhibition is an example of inclusivity of work from a variety of artists of all ages with various experiences and abilities.
Art a’ Loan: 16th Annual Exhibition featuring Young Poets
On View at Ella Sharp Museum: October – November 2022
On View in the Community: December 2022 – November 2023
The Ella Sharp Museum’s annual Art à Loan program celebrates and shares the talents of K-12 student artists throughout Jackson County. At the end of each school year, dedicated area art teachers select student artwork to be professionally framed, exhibited at the Ella Sharp Museum, then rented and displayed in local businesses. To further showcase student talent within Jackson County, we’ve partnered with the Jackson District Library’s “Young Poets” Program. Winners from Art à Loan were thematically paired with winners from Young Poets and are featured in a special exhibition at the Ella Sharp Museum, October – November 2022, then will be on view throughout the community until fall 2023.
Exploration Stations
On View Now
Inspired by our local community, Exploration Stations is filled with fun science-based activities connected to space, construction, the home, nature and transportation for growing explorers. Pieces of local history are also featured throughout each station for an experience all ages can enjoy.
The Magnificent Obsession: Celebrating 15 years of the Andrews Gallery of Wildlife Art
On View Now
Celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Andrews Gallery of Wildlife Art, The Magnificent Obsession introduces visitors to wildlife art collectors Andy and Sandy Andrews, while exploring how art, hunting, and conservation connect.
Jackson & The Roaring 20s
On View Now
The 1920s was a decade driven by prosperity, shifting social norm, and new technology. This exhibit explores some of the major individuals and events which made Jackson, Michigan roar during the 1920s. The exhibit was developed by Ella Sharp Museum as a supplement to the traveling exhibit Spirited: Prohibition in America.
Outdoor Sculptures
On view year-round
Walk the museum grounds and explore our outdoor sculptures on the campus of Ella Sharp Museum.
Lynne A. Loftis Jackson History Gallery
Semi-Permanent Exhibit (Temporarily closed after March 6, 2022 – Fall of 2022)
Jackson’s rich past is celebrated and explored in the Lynne A Loftis Jackson History gallery. See the start of “Jacksonopolis”, the community started in 1829. Learn about Jackson’s role in manufacturing, the railroad industry, state corrections, and the formation of the Republican party. View products that were made in our city, from Sparton radios, corsets, to automobiles. There’s much to learn about Jackson and the best place to start is here.
Never Enough Time Gallery
Semi-Permanent Exhibit
Allen Spiess Jr., a local collector, provided funds to construct and furnish the Never Enough Time gallery space. Al is pleased to have the Ella in the Jackson community so that visitors can enjoy his collections and the collections of others. He hopes this will inspire others to donate or lend their collections to the Ella Sharp Museum for all to enjoy!
Upcoming Exhibits
Precious Moments in Time
A pop-up exhibit featuring the art of Jerome Washington
February 2023
Known to many as Mr. Washington the sketch artist, Jerome Washington has dedicated decades of his life to the community of Albion, Michigan through the vehicle of art. Drawing is not just a hobby for Mr. Washington it is his life’s passion!
Encounters and Light: Paintings by Sam Knecht
February 15 – May 30, 2023
The Ella Sharp Museum is proud to host a new solo exhibition of landscapes and portraits by Michigan artist Sam Knecht. Knecht is Emeritus Professor of Art, Hillsdale College, teaching 1973-2020. Additionally, he is a Signature Member of the Portrait Society of America and the Michigan Watercolor Society. His landscapes are plein air and studio creations, all in a naturalistic style. Portrait selections are non-commissioned depicting unique individuals who inspired creative interpretation.