University of Memphis Art Museum
The Art Museum of the University of Memphis, Tennessee can be a trip back to the ancient times of the Egyptians. The city of Memphis' name came from the ancient city of Memphis located in Egypt.
At the pinnacle of its glory, Memphis was one of the largest and most recognizable cities in the ancient world. Surrounded by it's legendary "White Walls", palaces, massive temples, and houses were located within. Memphis was the capital of Egypt from its founding in approximately 3100 BC to the arrival of Alexander the Great in 332 BC. In 1984 the University of Memphis established the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology.
The Egyptian exhibition at the University is the largest public collection of Egyptian artifacts in the South. The Art Museum at the University of Memphis also houses an authentic African artifacts display which was assembled in the early 1970's by Naval Commander Neil Nokes, and named "The Spirit of Africa Collection. Although the Egyptian and African Exhibits are always on display there are always different exhibits that transform the interior of the Museum. The Red Thread Project, a unique effort to bring together knitters and crocheters from around the Memphis area to create artwork involving hundreds of interwoven, hand-knit hats, was recently exhibited at the Museum.
For 2006, the AMUM will be holding the 23rd Annual Juried Student Exhibition, which is a competitive art exhibition of all media open to all Grad and Undergrad students enrolled in an art course in 2005. Awards at the exhibition include Best of Show, Undergraduate Award, Graduate Purchase Award, Merit Awards, and ArtLab Award. The Art Museum is open Monday thru Saturday 9 to 5 on the campus of the University of Memphis. Admission is free just remember that the museum is closed for University holidays as well as in between exhibits.
