Cocktails with a Curator: Insect Collecting & Curating

Thu Sep 18 2025 at 07:00 pm to 08:30 pm UTC-07:00

2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA, United States, California 93105 | Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Publisher/HostSanta Barbara Museum of Natural History
Cocktails with a Curator: Insect Collecting & Curating
Advertisement
Schlinger Chair of Entomology Alex Harman, Ph.D., has published research on grasshoppers, tiger beetles, and butterflies—but at age three, he was afraid of insects. He credits his grandmother (who taught entomology) with turning his terror into appreciation by giving him woolly bear caterpillars and other harmless insects to hold. A year later, he started building his own insect collection and has stuck with it ever since. Dr. Harman joined the Museum staff in 2025 and is charged with curating and growing the Museum’s insect collection, which contains over 350,000 prepared specimens.
Museum collections are time capsules of biodiversity, enabling discoveries that the original collectors often could not have imagined. Without them, our ability to understand, protect, and appreciate the insect world would be severely limited. Museum Members are invited to bring your curiosity and join us for a special evening of conversation with Harman. Hear more about his journey to becoming an entomologist and his plans for the Museum’s entomology program. Get a glimpse of some of the species that make up the Museum’s unique insect collections.
RSVP required for all attendees by September 14. Free for Naturalist, Explorer, and Leadership Circles of Giving Members. $12 for Voyager and Adventurer-level Members. Reservation includes one drink ticket and a light snack. Additional drinks are available for purchase.
For help with RSVP or to upgrade your membership, please email [email protected] or call 805-682-4711 ext. 114. Want to become a Member? September is a great time to join us!
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA, United States, California 93105

Tickets

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Santa Barbara

Emerging Professionals Firm Open House with MN Studio
Thu, 18 Sep at 05:30 pm Emerging Professionals Firm Open House with MN Studio

MN Studio

Costal Beats @ Flor de Maiz
Thu, 18 Sep at 06:00 pm Costal Beats @ Flor de Maiz

29 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA, United States, California 93101

Left Behind Movie
Thu, 18 Sep at 06:00 pm Left Behind Movie

Oak Park

Cocktails with a Curator: Insect Collecting & Curating
Thu, 18 Sep at 07:00 pm Cocktails with a Curator: Insect Collecting & Curating

2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA, United States, California 93105

Scriptures with the Sisters
Thu, 18 Sep at 07:00 pm Scriptures with the Sisters

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Miley Serious
Thu, 18 Sep at 09:00 pm Miley Serious

500 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

3rd Annual Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival
Fri, 19 Sep at 02:00 pm 3rd Annual Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival

215a E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Santa Barbara, CA, United States, California 93101

Jon Batiste
Fri, 19 Sep at 04:00 pm Jon Batiste

Santa Barbara Bowl

Bruno And The Hooligans - Bruno Mars Tribute
Fri, 19 Sep at 04:00 pm Bruno And The Hooligans - Bruno Mars Tribute

The Lobero Theatre

The Gathering Grove, Fridays at The Steward
Fri, 19 Sep at 05:00 pm The Gathering Grove, Fridays at The Steward

5490 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara, CA, United States, California 93111

SPIDER-MAN MAGIC THE GATHERING PRE-RELEASE!
Fri, 19 Sep at 05:00 pm SPIDER-MAN MAGIC THE GATHERING PRE-RELEASE!

6 W Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA, United States, California 93101

Jungle Equinox \/ Organic House
Fri, 19 Sep at 06:00 pm Jungle Equinox / Organic House

Buena Onda Empanadas | Restaurant • Catering • Events

Santa Barbara is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Santa Barbara Events