SBJ Road Trip: Eternal Egypt comes to Nelson-Atkins Museum

If you enjoy ancient cultures, and especially Egyptian art and artifacts, the wonders of millennia are now just a short road trip away.

Last fall, my best friend and I made a trek to Memphis, Tenn., to see Eternal Egypt: Masterworks of Ancient Art from the British Museum, which was on display at The Pyramid exhibition center.

Before that, the last time I had visited Memphis was for the Rameses the Great exhibition more than a decade ago. As a former anthropology minor, there's something about the combination of Memphis (also a city in ancient Egypt) and artifacts that draws me. I had a wonderful time in Memphis, enjoying not only the exhibit, but music and food on Beale Street, rides on beautifully restored trolley cars and my first visit to Graceland.

Imagine my surprise, and delight, when I recently discovered that the Eternal Egypt exhibit is coming to Missouri to Kansas City's Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

Now I have an opportunity for a second look at the wonders of Egypt.

And believe me, it's well worth it.

The exhibition covers a huge expanse of time. Among its 144 objects are everything from a rare ivory image of one of the first pharaohs circa 3000 B.C. to a funerary portrait, circa 160 to 170 A.D., from Egypt's Roman period.

The artistry of these works is incredible. From tiny gold beads and amulets to huge stone sculptures, the exhibit is a trip to another time and place: a world of mystery and mysticism.

When I visited the exhibit in Memphis, I allotted a couple of hours for the tour. Instead, it took us close to four hours; we wanted to see everything! And that doesn't include the time I spent in the Egyptian Market that accompanies the exhibit. I bought the exhibition book, featuring photos and descriptions of each item, and I had a calligrapher write my name in hieroglyphs.

Also offered at the market were reproductions of Egyptian statues and jewelry, Egyptian-themed souvenirs, children's items and a variety of books.

Eternal Egypt will be at the Nelson-Atkins Museum from April 13-July 7, so if you want to see this incredible exhibition, you should make plans now.

I highly recommend it.