For press information, contact Simone Notter Wilson

Travel back in time for a day and explore the wonders of ancient Egypt during the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology's ancient Egyptian Family Day at the Art Museum of the University of Memphis on Saturday, February 23, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Designed to introduce children to the art and culture of ancient Egypt in a fun and creative environment, kids can learn how to write their name in hieroglyphs, draw like an Egyptian, make a copy of an ancient Egyptian amulet or color a mask while learning about ancient Egyptian gods. Special tours of the Egyptian exhibition at the Art Museum, and stories from ancient Egypt will be presented.

The popular "School for Scribes" will be available again this year. In an intensive one-hour workshop, older children and adults will learn about the ancient Egyptian language. A special session devoted to the rediscovery of ancient Egyptian language and the Rosetta Stone will also be available. To participate, children must be at least 10 years old. Because the class size for the “School of Scribes" is limited, reservations are required (call 901-678-2649).

The Family Day is free and open to the public. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are recommended for groups. Free parking is available in the Central Avenue parking lot. Paid parking is available in the Fogelman garage on Innovation Drive, just south of Central Avenue. The Art Museum is located on the first floor of the Communication and Fine Arts Building, room 142, on the University of Memphis campus.

The Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology and the Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM) maintain the largest public collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the Mid-South. More than 150 objects are on display, representing 4,000 years of ancient Egyptian history. Exhibits include mummies, royal statuary, amulets, jewelry, tomb furnishings, and items from everyday life.

For more information and to sign up for the popular “School of Scribes" call 901-678-2649. To learn more about ancient Egypt, visit the IEAA web site at www.memphis.edu/egypt.