I AM WILD: Charley Harper’s art takes flight in Pittsburgh at the Children’s Museum

All photos courtesy of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

“If I hadn’t become an artist, I probably would’ve been a conservationist.”

This simple yet profound statement from Charley Harper (1922-2007) conveys the essence of his life’s work. Harper’s art wasn’t just about capturing the beauty of nature, but also about understanding and preserving its delicate balance.

Harper’s love for the natural world, rooted in his childhood on a small West Virginia farm, shines through the bold lines and vibrant colors of his pieces. That vision comes alive at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in their newest exhibit, I AM WILD: A Charley Harper Exhibit, which opened on Jan. 25 and runs through Aug. 31. 

If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to walk straight into a Charley Harper painting — bold colors, snazzy animals, and all — this is your chance. This immersive exhibit invites visitors to step directly into Harper’s world and experience the intersection of art and conservation firsthand.

Harper has been an art-world favorite for decades. Born in 1922 on a small farm in West Virginia, Harper’s love for nature began early. As a child, he would spend hours observing and sketching the creatures around his backyard creek. This passion eventually led him to the Art Academy of Cincinnati, where he met his wife and collaborator, Edie. 

Over his long career, Harper developed his distinctive “minimal realism” style—capturing the essence of his subjects with bold shapes, vibrant colors, and an almost mathematical precision. His work is not only visually stunning, but also carries a subtle yet impactful message of conservation and appreciation for biodiversity.

This exhibit brings Harper’s distinctive style to life, inviting visitors to explore six habitats — desert, ocean, rainforest, sky, woods and city — that celebrate the diversity and beauty of the natural world. Each one bursts with color, texture and activities designed to make you fall in love with the natural world all over again.

Brett Harper, Charley’s son, believes his father would’ve been thrilled with the exhibit.

“He would have liked to watch the kids engage with the activities,” Brett says. “He was always really good with kids and would listen intently to what they had to say—he was always very kind that way.” 

Brett also noted the universal appeal of his father’s work: “Overall, his work makes you smile; it has humor, it’s whimsical. His art also presents environmental messages in a friendly, non-judgmental way. And lastly, his images are very recognizable to kids and adults.”

The Children’s Museum pulled out all the stops to make this exhibit unforgettable. Want to channel your inner birdwatcher? Create a soundscape with a machine that mimics bird calls from Harper’s art. Feel like “being wild”? Act out your favorite creature in one of the interactive habitats, complete with costumes and props. Prefer your nature on the quieter side? Play hide-and-seek with insects and animals cleverly camouflaged in the woods.

“We hope that kids and families will be able to find personal connections with the artwork by seeing places they recognize and animals they know and love,” says Anne Fullenkamp, senior director of creative experiences at the Children’s Museum. “We also hope people will learn more about habitats and gain an appreciation for how animals and nature are connected.”

The idea for this exhibit originated when the Charley Harper Art Studio approached the Children’s Museum after seeing their work with the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. “We were immediately attracted to the art and subject matter,” Fullenkamp said. “Charley Harper’s personal narrative and process aligned with our focus on art and artists, and this project was special because of the opportunity to work directly with his son Brett and have access to the original materials.”

However, translating Harper’s intricate, layered works into a full-blown interactive experience wasn’t without its challenges.

“The artworks are very layered visually and conceptually, and capturing all of that in one activity or space was challenging,” Fullenkamp explained. “We hope the variety of hands-on experiences together with the collection of artworks will make people want to learn more about Charley Harper and nature in their own community.”

Visitors can also gain insights into Harper’s artistic process. The exhibit includes a collection of his original sketches and prints, offering a rare glimpse into his creative mind. There’s even a hands-on art-making section where budding artists can try their hand at creating “minimal realism” masterpieces inspired by Harper’s techniques.

As Brett observed during the exhibit’s unveiling, his father’s work continues to resonate because it speaks to universal truths in a way that is accessible to everyone. “Timeless appeal, similar to Disney characters—it’s as fresh to the next generation as ever. The images are classic and always appealing to new kids in new ways,” he said.

Walking through this exhibit, you can’t help but agree. So, grab the kids (or don’t — no judgment if you’re flying solo!), and head to the Children’s Museum for an experience that’s equal parts educational and magical.

One more bit of happy news: This isn’t just a one-off Pittsburgh event. After its run here, I AM WILD will travel to museums across the country, bringing Harper’s unique vision to families everywhere. But there’s plenty of time to catch the exhibit before it packs up its colorful menagerie by the end of summer. Just be prepared: you might leave wanting to redecorate your house in bold, blocky birds and geometric foxes. And honestly? That’s the Harper effect.