The Florida Museum of Natural History will display "Namibia: The Smile of Africa," a collection of African-inspired works by Gainesville artist Mary Jane Volkmann, through Aug.3. The exhibit includes a number of new and original oil paintings, prints of the artist's work and five issues of postage stamps.

"Inside Africa" - Sat., March 15 - Sept. 7

Inside Africa transports museum-goers to the African experience, allowing them to discover firsthand the vitality, richness and significance of Africa and its peoples. Based on a permanent exhibition at the Field Museum in Chicago, the exhibit explores the enormous diversity of African geography, societies and political systems, and also provides a bridge to contemporary American life.

Journey into the heart of Africa and experience its people and rich cultural history with the new "Inside Africa" exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History, opening March 15.

Discover how butterflies have influenced Zuni Indian art in a new exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History. "Butterflies and Moths in Contemporary Zuni Art," is on display through 2008.

Catch a glimpse of the state's vanishing habitats and wildlife in the Florida Museum of Natural History's newest photography exhibit, on display Nov. 29 - March 30, 2008.

The Florida Museum of Natural History will host a panel discussion of author Zora Neale Hurston's book "Their Eyes Were Watching God" from 2:30-4 p.m. Sept. 29.

The Florida Museum of Natural History's ButterflyFest, scheduled for Oct. 13-14, will feature several nationally well-known musicians as well as a variety of performances from area community groups.

Beginning April 21, the Florida Museum of Natural History will display seven study paintings and a self-portrait by renowned paleo-artist Charles R. Knight (1874-1953) in the Hall of Florida Fossils: Evolution of Life and Land exhibition.

Joint research between Florida Museum of Natural History and Chinese scientists to discover and interpret the world's earliest known flowering fossil is the subject of a PBS NOVA documentary, "First Flower," which debuts at 8 p.m. April 17.

The Florida Museum of Natural History is accepting applications for summer 2007 junior volunteers from students ages 12-17. The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. April 20.