'Excavating Egypt' from London's Petrie Museum extended through Sunday, Feb. 22

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SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - For the first time in history, a portion of the extensive ancient Egyptian collection housed at the University College London, is touring the United States.

The only opportunity to view this exhibit on the west coast is at the Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum at Cal State San Bernardino when the exhibit opened on Nov. 22.

Originally scheduled to close on Sunday, Feb. 15, the exhibit has now been extended one more week, until Sunday, Feb. 22. In recognition of this encore presentation the museum will be open special hours today, Monday, Feb. 16, and Sunday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

One of the major exhibitors of ancient Egyptian art west of the Mississippi River, the RVF Art Museum is hosting "Excavating Egypt: Great Discoveries from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology," the RVF Museum's first international show.

"I congratulate the Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum for acquiring a world-class exhibition for the artistic and cultural enjoyment of the public," said San Bernardino County Fifth District supervisor, Josie Gonzales.

More than 220 objects will be on display portraying the daily life and burial of the ancient Egyptians. The world's earliest surviving dress (cir. 2800 B.C.), gold mummy masks, a coffin and royal art from King Akhenaten's palace city of Amarna are among the treasures included in the exhibit.

"The antiquities present us with a historical perspective of the advanced and prosperous Egyptian civilization," said Gonzales.

Many educational programs have been planned in conjunction with the exhibit, including lectures, workshops and a family day.

Established in 1996, the RVF Art Museum has accumulated a collection of nearly 1,200 objects focusing on Egyptian antiquities, ceramics and contemporary art.

"Excavating Egypt" is the first major exhibit to arrive at the RVF Art Museumsince its accreditation in March 2008. Of the more than 17,500 museums in the United States, the American Association of Museums has accredited only 4 percent.

General admission for the "Excavating Egypt" exhibition is $5; senior citizens and students are $3 and all CSUSB students, faculty and staff and children under the age of 6 are free.

Museum hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

For more information, call (909) 537-7373 or log onto the Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum Web site at www.museum.csusb.edu.

The Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum will host the Petrie collection starting Nov. 22. As the only venue on the West Coast for the exhibit, the show is also the museum's first international exhibition.