LITTLE ROCK, AR)- World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed will be on view September 25, 2009, to July 5, 2010, at the Arkansas Arts Center.

World of the Pharaohs explores the long-vanished world of ancient Egypt through art and artifacts that span over 3,000 years of dynastic history. More than 200 magnificent objects, including mummies, a majestic colossus of Ramses the Great, Egyptian art, jewelry, statues, sculptures and funerary artifacts, illustrate the life and art of ancient Egypt.

The Arkansas Arts Center contracted William H. Peck, an internationally recognized Egyptologist and art historian, to serve as guest curator. Peck, an active archaeologist, exhibition consultant and lecturer, authored the book Drawings from Ancient Egypt and has contributed to several other publications, including exhibition catalogues, encyclopedias and other books. Peck collaborated with Arkansas Arts Center Curator Joseph Lampo and developed the thematic arrangement of the exhibition to tell the comprehensive story of the life and history of ancient Egypt and its people. The exhibition covers many aspects of Egyptian civilization, including the people, the land, the kings and religion. Peck said, “The most fascinating objects in the exhibition are the ones handled by Egyptians and used in everyday life.” Peck says World of the Pharaohs is “an opportunity to present something here in Little Rock that is unique” and says, “I encourage everyone to come and see it, and if you don’t, it’s a real missed opportunity.”

More information and video of William H. Peck are available on the Arkansas Arts Center Web site. Visit www.arkarts.com and click on “Explore the World of the Pharaohs!”

Presented by the Arkansas Arts Center in cooperation with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, World of the Pharaohs is particularly strong in excavated material from the Pyramid Age, The Old Kingdom (2675-213- B.C.), widely regarded as Egypt’s finest hour. The Egyptian collection of the MFA is best known for the works excavated from 1905-1947 by the Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition directed by George Andrew Reisner, who is recognized as a pioneering force in the application of scientific methodology in archaeology. Under his supervision, these excavations provided the MFA with one of the best collections of Egyptian art outside of Cairo. Many of the objects in this exhibition were excavated in the Giza region of Egypt.

World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed is the largest exhibition to ever be held in Arkansas. The Arkansas Arts Center will extend its hours September 25, 2009, to July 5, 2010, to accommodate visitors to the exhibition. The show will be on view Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Admission to World of the Pharaohs is $22 Adults; $20 Seniors (60+); $18 College Students with ID; $15 Military with ID; $14 Youth; and Free for Children 5 and under. A companion audio tour is available for $5. Arkansas Arts Center members receive free tickets to World of the Pharaohs.

Purchase two Adult tickets and two Audio Rentals and receive the Gold Package pricing of $47 – you save $7. Purchase two Adult and two Youth tickets and receive the Pharaoh Family Package pricing of $64 – you save $8. Purchase the Pharaoh Family Package plus four Audio Rentals for a total of $80 – you save $12.

Group Tour discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Group tickets are $17 each. A companion audio tour is available for $3 each with a group tour booking. All groups must schedule tours in advance.

All tickets are timed and dated for entry. Advance purchase is recommended. For additional information, to purchase tickets or to become a member, visit www.arkarts.com and click on “Explore the World of the Pharaohs!”

GENERAL INFORMATION

Contact: 501-372-4000

Location: Arkansas Arts Center – 9th and Commerce, Little Rock, AR 72202

Gallery Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Closed Monday & Major Holidays
Arkansas Arts Center programs are supported in part by: the City of Little Rock; Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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