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New Exhibit Spotlight: Oceanic Origins

Written by Mandy Abel-Zurstadt

Intern Paulina in front of a long display case with a variety of minerals and signage on the top two sleeves. A sand tray spans the bottom shelf with shells and more minerals. Artwork of mermaids and sea life hang on the back wall.
Intern, Paulina Zamarripa, in front of their exhibit, Oceanic Origins.

Oceanic Origins is a showcase of minerals inspired by the deep sea. Some of the included items are on loan to the Museum from Diane Eames or Sharleen Harvey. One of our 2025 summer interns, Paulina Zamarripa, designed, curated, and installed this collection. She also drew all the illustrations and hand-lettered the signage appearing in the case.

A graphic of an ocean scene and three mermaids advertising one of Rice Museum's new exhibits. Text reads: Oceanic Origins, Inside a Mermaid's Collection.
Ocean scene and three mermaids by Paulina

Though there are no touchables featured in this exhibit, visitors are encouraged to engage in a creative exercise: imagining what kinds of treasures mermaids might find and collect from the ocean floor if they were real.

The display features Texas topaz and fluorite, New Mexico fluorite, a peridot ring (courtesy of Diane Eames); a freeform topaz carving, aquamarine cut gems, rutilated quartz (courtesy of Sharleen Harvey); pearls, and other minerals.

A grid of four photos labelled A, B, C, and D showing steps of the Oceanic Origins exhibit being installed
Installation process of Oceanic Origins exhibit.

Oceanic Origins can be visited in the Museum’s upper hallway until the end of February 2026. Come experience this beautiful blend of science and art in person!

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