The CU Art Museum at the University of Colorado Boulder is presenting an exhibition titled "Fairy Tales and the Power of Wonder," running from February 6 through May 2026. The show brings together artworks, books, and maps that explore the themes and narratives of fairy tales, examining how these stories blend realms of fantasy, hybrid creatures, and liminal spaces to challenge cultural norms and offer new perspectives on human experience. The exhibition is supported by CU Boulder Student Arts and Cultural Enrichment fees and is coordinated with concurrent shows at the CU Museum of Natural History and Norlin Library.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the enduring relevance of fairy tales as a lens for artistic inquiry, demonstrating how visual artists use wonder and transformation to address contemporary issues such as our relationship with nature and social norms. By situating the show within a broader university museum and library collaboration, it underscores the role of academic institutions in fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between art, literature, and natural history, making it a model for community-engaged curatorial practice.