COMMUNITY & CULTURE
The Trish Set
An award-winning journalist recognized for her media leadership and for promoting diversity , Trish Muyco-Tobin has more than 20 years of experience in print and broadcasting . She is also a dedicated community volunteer .
Preparations for a groundbreaking exhibition making its North American debut continue at the Saint Louis Art Museum . “ Sunken Cities : Egypt ’ s Lost Worlds ” will offer visitors a once-in-a-lifetime chance to view one of the greatest finds in the history of underwater archeology : artifacts from the long-lost city of Thonis-Heracleion and the nearby community of Canopus . Thonis-Heracleion served as Egypt ’ s main Mediterranean port in the Late Period of Ancient Egypt ( 664 – 332 B . C .). By 800 A . D ., earthquakes and other natural catastrophes had caused the area to submerge , and ruins remained underwater for more than 1,000 years .
Colossal , 16-foot-tall sculptures and other excavated treasures uncovered by French archeologist Franck Goddio will be on display for an extended six-month run beginning March 25 . In the middle of it all is the museum ’ s associate curator of ancient art , Lisa Çakmak , who has been busy overseeing the installation since November .
“ From a logical perspective , ‘ Sunken Cities ’ is a huge undertaking . It ’ s also a costly one . There aren ’ t many art museums in this country that
2018 Visionary Awards honorees have the professional staff , the financial resources and the experience to take on a project like this ,” she recently told Gazelle STL .
Çakmak added that the exhibit serves as the perfect complement to the museum ’ s Egyptian collection .
“ Almost everything from our collection is from a funerary context , so we have borrowed material that offers a more domestic perspective about daily life . That ’ s something we ’ ve never done before ,” Çakmak said , adding that technology will also allow visitors to see the collection ’ s mummies from a whole new perspective , including from inside the coffins and beneath the wrappings .
We salute this year ’ s Visionary Awards honorees , who are being hailed for their numerous contributions to the arts in St . Louis . They are : Cheeraz Gormon ( Outstanding Working Artist ), Lana Pepper ( Major Contributor to the Arts ), Allison Felter ( Outstanding Arts Professional ), Asha Premachandra ( Outstanding Teaching Artist ), Yvonne Osei ( Emerging Artist ) and Antionette Carroll ( Community Impact Artist ). An awards ceremony and reception will be held Monday , April 23 , at the Sun Theater . For ticket information , visit vizawards . org .
Direct from the Kennedy Center , “ Bud , Not Buddy ,” the play based on Christopher Paul Curtis ’ award-winning novel and set with an original score by Terence Blanchard , is coming to Metro Theater Company . And to celebrate the coup , Metro Theater is holding a benefit concert featuring the trumpet maestro himself . Blanchard will appear at the Saturday , Feb . 3 concert at The Grandel , along with St . Louis favorites Peter Martin and Brian Owens . Proceeds from the event benefit Metro ’ s work to make the arts more inclusive to people of all ages , regardless of ability to pay . “ Bud , Not Buddy ” runs Feb . 4 through Feb . 25 at The Grandel . For more information , visit metroplays . org .
Photo by Diane Anderson
82 GAZELLE STL