Visit the Delicate Forces Art and Science Exhibit in Rockford

Nicholas Conservatory in Rockford, Illinois has a cool new exhibit that merges art, science, and the beauty of nature!

Delicate Forces is a large-scale art exhibit created by Skunk Control, a group of engineers, scientists, and educators from Australia. The Delicate Forces exhibit is their first in the United States!

Throughout the conservatory, you will see multi-colored nature-themed dichroic sculptures that create a kaleidoscope of color during the day and light up during the night. 

The exhibit is spread out throughout the space with the biggest pieces being inside the greenhouse.

When you first enter the building, you will see the Hanging Gardens dangling from the lobby ceiling.

In the greenhouse, you’ll find 13 mechatronic flowers, some up to 10 feet tall, that are placed throughout the garden beds. The mechatronic flowers open and close very slowly, but you can catch movement if you wait and look around for a while.

There are also 26 colorful butterflies on the greenhouse roof which can be accessed by stairs or elevator.

You can see a few more pieces outside including the Fire Flowers on the back of the Conservatory facing the Eclipse Lagoon.

You can go view the Delicate Forces exhibit from June 25 through November 6, 2022. The exhibit is included in admission costs.

Here’s a 10-minute video that shows Skunk Control’s process of creating and setting up the exhibit.

Address: 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford, IL

Admission cost: $10 per non-resident / $8 per resident
$8 per senior non-resident / $6 per senior resident
$8 per veteran non-resident / $6 per veteran resident
$8 per kids ages 5-17 non-resident / $6 per kids ages 5-17 resident
$5 per kids ages 3-4 non-resident / $4 per kids pages 3-4 resident
Ages 2 and under are free

Tropical Tuesday rates: $5 per non-resident / $4 per resident

Hours: Mondays are closed
Tuesdays – Fridays: 10 am – 4 pm
Saturdays – Sundays: 10 am  – 3 pm

**NEW** Evenings hours are available on Tuesdays until 9 pm through November 1, 2022. You are able to see the artwork lit up during the evening hours.