Visitors at the Science Museum of Virginia are stepping into a world where danger meets fascination. Since Oct. 4, the touring exhibition “The Power of Poison” has been revealing the deadly beauty of venoms, toxins and the stories they inspire. 

The exhibit blends science and myth, taking guests from the natural world to the pages of fairy tales and classic literature. Visitors encounter life-sized dioramas, including a recreation of the witches’ potion scene from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” as they explore the ways poisons and venoms can harm, protect and even heal. 

“Guests will see how nature’s most dangerous substances — poisons and venoms — both protect the species that wield them and inspire the development of cutting-edge treatments and cures,” said Timshel Purdum, the museum’s Virginia C. Ellett Deputy Director of Education. 

The exhibit also examines history’s mysterious deaths, from Cleopatra’s fabled demise to the hidden dangers of Napoleon’s wallpaper. Hands-on programming invites visitors to dig deeper: build 3D mushrooms in the Art Lab, learn to identify poisonous plants, explore Virginia’s venomous snakes, and discover how compounds that protect plants can also flavor the foods we eat — in safe doses. 

Special events complement the exhibition throughout the fall and winter. “Science After Dark: Spooky Science” on Friday promises a frightfully fun night, while VCU’s Dr. Michelle Peace will speak on forensic toxicology during Sunrise Science on Nov. 7. Additional workshops and experiences will be announced. 

Organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the exhibit runs through April 19.