The Seattle Art Museum has an exciting line-up of Egypt, Gift of the Nile lectures, programs, and events. We hope you will participate!

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Lectures

Opening Night Lecture:
The Unity of Art and Writing in Ancient Egypt
Thursday, October 15, 5:30 pm
Seattle Art Museum, Plestcheeff Auditorium
Both the pictorial nature of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and the unique style of art that characterized Egyptian civilization appeared almost simultaneously more than 5,000 years ago. From that time, there existed a unity between words and images. Join David Silverman, guest curator of Egypt, Gift of the Nile and curator in charge, Egyptian section, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, for an exploration of this close relationship that continued for more than 3,000 years.

Egypt in Africa: A Panel Discussion
Thursday, December 10, 6–9 pm
Seattle Art Museum, Nordstrom Lecture Hall
Should ancient Egypt be considered the first great African empire or the cradle of Western civilization? Dr. Emily Teeter, assistant curator of Egyptology, Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, and Dr. Scott Noegel, assistant professor of ancient languages, University of Washington, will be joined by Dr. Joye Hardiman, professor of humanities and literature and noted scholar of ancient Egyptian literature, Evergreen State College, to debate the ongoing issues surrounding the attribution of ancient Egyptian culture and art. Co-sponsored by the African Arts Council and the Education Department.

First Fridays
Seniors Free!
Seattle Art Museum
Join SAM curators and guest speakers for lectures about SAM's collection and special exhibitions. Lectures begin at 11 am Admission is free to visitors 62 and older and free to others with Museum admission. Sponsored by the Seattle Art Museum Volunteers Association.

Egypt, Gift of the Nile
Friday, November 6, 11 am
Seattle Art Museum, Plestcheeff Auditorium
Pam McClusky, Curator of African and Oceanic Art, will speak on ancient Egyptian art and architecture from the University of Pennsylvania Museum. There will not be a docent tour following the lecture.

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Family Programs

Egypt Extravaganza: A Family Festival!
Saturday, November 14, 10 am–4 pm
Seattle Art Museum, All Galleries
Make offerings to the Egyptian gods, learn to belly dance, and travel through time to the land of the pharaohs in this daylong family festival! Free with Museum admission.

Gifts of the Nile Workshop
Seattle Art Museum, First Floor Art Studio
Explore the gifts that ancient Egyptians brought before their gods, and create an offering of your own to leave or share with a friend. Free with Museum admission.

Experience Egypt Activity Guide
Meet a 3,000-year-old gardener and discover the sacred stories of a lion-headed goddess in this activity booklet for families and self-guided school groups. Co-sponsored by the Seattle Times. Free with Museum admission.

Surf the Nile!
Descend cybernetically into the tomb of a New Kingdom nobleman, learn the true meaning of life, or ankh, to an ancient Egyptian, and explore other Egyptian Web sites on computers in the galleries. Free with Museum admission.

Egypt, Gift of the Nile Audio Tour
Take an imagination journey through a noble’s home, a pharaoh’s palace, a temple to the gods, and a tomb for everlasting life with these portable CD audio guides.

Art Studio - Lions, and Hippos, and Sphinxes, Oh My!
Take a trip along the Nile at the zoo and learn all about the animals that make their home there. Then discover the same creatures in ancient Egyptian art, and make your own mythical beast! Tickets: $30 parent/child pair for SAM and Woodland Park Zoo members, $5 each additional family member; $45 parent/child pair for nonmembers, $10 each additional family member.

For 3- to 5-year-olds with an adult:

  • Saturday, October 31, 10–11:30 am, Woodland Park Zoo
  • Saturday, November 7, 10–11:30 am, Seattle Art Museum, Knudsen Educational Resource Room, Third Floor

For 6- to 8-year-olds with an adult:

  • Sunday, November 1, 12–1:30 pm, Woodland Park Zoo
  • Sunday, November 8, 12–1:30 pm, Seattle Art Museum, Knudsen Educational Resource Room, Third Floor

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Tours

Egypt, Gift of the Nile
October 20, 1998-January 10, 1999
Tuesday–Sunday, between 1 and 3:30 pm
Thursday, between 6:15 and 9 pm
Commence your exploration of the art and culture of ancient Egypt with a brief interactive tour that will rouse your imagination and introduce you to the exhibition’s highlights. Tours last fifteen minutes.

School Tours
Thematic school tours based on the collections and special exhibitions at SAM and SAAM are offered Tuesday through Friday mornings. School tours are scheduled through the mail only, and the school program for Egypt, Gift of the Nile is already sold out. However, if you are interested in scheduling a school tour for a future exhibition, call (206) 654-3186 to be added to the mailing list.

The Overseers: New Egypt Docents
In ancient Egypt, you would not wander through temples and palaces without an escort. Overseers of differing professions, from architects to scribes to government officials, were always present. For this exhibition, a new group of volunteers has been enlisted and trained to join current docents in hosting visitors on interactive tours. In keeping with Egyptian roles, they are also professionals in various fields who have taken time off to immerse themselves in learning the proper ways to address the nobles, deities, pharaohs, and bureaucrats of ancient times. If you would like to enhance your visit by including additional sights, smells, and personal exchanges, look for the Overseers and join them as they escort groups and individuals through Egypt, Gift of the Nile.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Make an Offering!
Volunteer for Egypt, Gift of the Nile from October 15, 1998 to January 10, 1999 at the Seattle Art Museum and help make this exhibit worthy of the gods! A variety of volunteer opportunities are available (see descriptions below). Volunteer benefits include free admission to all SAM exhibits, an invitation to the special volunteer preview, educational opportunities, and more. Call the Volunteer Office at (206) 654-3168.

Egypt Artisans: Transport visitors to Ancient Egypt! Welcome and engage children and adults in hands-on art activities and demonstrations of ancient Egyptian art. Assist with the flow (not of the Nile!) but of visitors through the Artisan's Workshop. Monday-Sunday from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm & 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm; and Thursday evenings 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Visitor Services Volunteer: Noble men and women are sought to welcome visitors and check coats in the First Avenue Lobby & BoardRoom. Please read the detailed description on the application. Tuesday-Sunday and Holiday Mondays from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm; and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 9:00 pm

Special Events Volunteer: A flexible volunteer position for busy gods and goddesses who want to bring Egypt, Gift of the Nile to life! See the detailed description on the application. May be selected in conjunction with another position. Shifts vary and include weekday afternoons/evenings and weekend afternoons/evenings.

Membership Volunteer: Work with Membership to promote SAM membership and ensure visitors have a positive experience. Welcome visitors and check coats, membership cards and assist with crowd control. Engage and monitor visitors at the Artisan's Workshop, an interactive environment featuring art-making activities for all ages. Mondays 2:45 pm to 6:00 pm and 5:45 pm to 8:15 pm; Thursday-Sunday from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm & 1:30 to 5:00 (until 5:30 pm on Thursdays); Thursday evenings from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

School Tour Volunteer: Help 30,000 school children experience the wonders of Egypt! Welcome children and teachers, assist in school group coat check, and facilitate traffic control. Mondays 8:45 am to 1 pm and Tuesday-Friday 8:45 am to 12:00 pm, and 11:45 am to 3:00 pm (Due to winter break, there will be no volunteer shifts from December 19-January 1.)