Indulge in Insects and Invertebrates at BUGfest 2024

SALT LAKE CITY, AUG 1, 2024 – The Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) announces the return of BUGfest, August 10 and 11, 2024. The staff is buzzing with excitement this year as this two-day festival, which celebrates insects and plants, features the stunning special exhibition Microsculpture: The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss.

For one weekend a year, BUGfest brings together invertebrate experts, educators, and enthusiasts for a celebration packed with collections showcases, live insect interactions, and informative lectures with community partners and vendors from around Utah. BUGfest promises to be an engaging and educational event for bug enthusiasts of all ages.

A highlight of this year’s festival is the special exhibition Microsculpture: The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss. A captivating photographic exhibition on display at NHMU this summer only, Microsculpture reveals the intricate beauty of insects on an unprecedented scale. Featuring high resolution images, some up to nine feet high, the exhibition showcases the stunning work of award-winning British photographer Levon Biss. Biss is renowned for his mesmerizing portraits of insects captured in astonishing detail.

 "It is a pleasure to have Microsculpture at the Museum for BUGfest this year," said Dr. Jason Cryan, The Sarah B. George Executive Director of the Natural History Museum of Utah. "This festival is a wonderful opportunity for bug lovers and the curious to come together and learn about the incredible world of insects. The inclusion of the insect portraits of Levon Biss helps deepen our appreciation of the wonderfully diverse and fundamentally important world of insects."

The theme of this year’s festival is the damselfly, offering attendees the chance to learn about topics such as the evolution of flight in insects, the wonders of dragonflies and damselflies, and the wild world of dragonfly romance during the 'Bug Bites' speaker series. Featuring talks from renowned experts in entomology, the speaker series will take place on both days of the festival. A full list of ‘Bug Bites’ speakers can be found at nhmu.utah.edu/BUGfest. 

In addition to the speaker series, BUGfest will feature a breathtaking entomology showcase, where attendees can have conversations with entomologists and examine unique invertebrate specimens from the Museum's collections. The Bug Bar will return this year, offering recipes and lessons from Dr. Cryan as well as evolutionary anthropologist and chef, Megan Bartley.

For those looking for a hands-on experience, there will be numerous interactive and educational zones where attendees can learn about insects, participate in craft activities, and collect scientific data. A sensory friendly room will also be available for those seeking a quiet and comfortable space. 

BUGfest is included with Museum admission and free for Museum members. Admission is free for UofU staff and students. More information about the festival, including a detailed schedule of events and a full speaker lineup can be found at nhmu.utah.edu. 

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About the Natural History Museum of Utah 

The Natural History Museum of Utah is one of the leading scientific research and cultural institutions in the country. Established in 1963, the museum’s 10 permanent exhibitions are anchored by its state-of-the-art collections and research facilities containing almost 2 million objects. These collections are used in studies on geological, biological, and cultural diversity, and the history of living systems and human cultures within the Utah region. The museum hosts approximately 300,000 general visitors a year and provides one of the most spectacular private event settings in the Salt Lake City area. NHMU also broadens the reach of its mission through a variety of science-based outreach programs to communities and schools throughout Utah, reaching every school district in the state every other year.