The Okotoks Art Gallery will be making an exciting journey back in time when the highly anticipated exhibit “Egypt, Gift of the Nile” opens May 13.
Allan Boss, Okotoks cultural and historical services team leader, said he’s pleased to be able to bring this unique exhibition to the Foothills.
“Many years ago there were some Egyptian shows at the Glenbow Museum (in Calgary) but nothing of this size and stature has been in the southern part of Alberta for a long time. The exhibit exposes a world wide culture to our local residents.”
“Egypt, Gift of the Nile” is an extensive exhibit of artifacts and informative displays that will take up residence in both the large and small galleries at the Okotoks Art Gallery at the Station from May 13 to July 10. The crated exhibits arrived at the museum by semi-trailer truck the morning of May 9. Boss said it took some time and effort but eventually the boxes made their way from the loading dock into the gallery.
The extensive show will commemorate the achievements of a civilization that flourished for thousands of years. It will cover many different aspects of ancient Egyptian existence including personal adornment, family life, education and the afterlife.
Even though the culture existed half a world away and many centuries ago,
Boss explained he sees a tie between ancient Egypt and our modern existence here in the Foothills.
“The theme of water was so important in Egyptian times and issues regarding water are important here,” he said. “So there’s a historical connection where we can link two very different societies together.”
The Okotoks Arts Council is enhancing the public experience of “Egypt, Gift of the Nile” by planning special events in conjunction with the exhibition. The opening reception goes Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m. and will feature Middle Eastern food and a traditional belly dancer.
Education program specialist Jan Robinson is coordinating two events in conjunction with the OAG show and the first one is designed for children ages six to 12.
“It’s an event with our Okay Club and it goes Saturday, May 14,” she said. “It’s geared around ‘Egypt, Gift of the Nile’ ands it’s called ‘Exploring Egypt’. It’s a tour and a discussion of the exhibition. We’ll also be making masks as our craft activity.”
“Exploring Egypt” goes from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on May 14 and it will be followed by “Who’s Your Mummy”, an evening Art Attack event for adults, on May 18. Robinson explained it too will feature a tour as well as a hands-on an activity where participants would craft canopic jars. These were the vessels utilized by ancient Egyptians to contain the removed organs during the human mummification process.
With a laugh Robinson quickly explained the jars made at the art gallery would not be put to practical use.
“We’re not actually putting anyone’s organs into them,” she said. “We’re making the jars out of clay so we’ll probably make some clay organs to go in there.”
Robinson said she was glad “Egypt, Gift of the Nile” was coming to The Station and revealed the “you can take it with you” aspects of the show were of significant interest to her.
“They firmly believed there was an afterlife,” she said. “So it was really important to the Egyptians to bury the dead properly with everything they would need on the other side. I think the show will be fascinating because it will feature actual items people have found related to things like that.”
More information on the exhibition and the Okotoks Art Gallery can be obtained by going to www.okotoksculture.ca
