The Louisiana Art & Science Museum recently hosted “Appreciation Versus Appropriation: The Art of Ancient Egypt” to celebrate its yearlong exhibit, “Discoveries on the Nile: Exploring King Tut’s Tomb and the Amnin Egyptian Collection.

The event featured a panel of experts on art and Egypt, who demystified how to engage with this unique ancient culture in a respectful way and acknowledged its true origin. On Feb. 20, audience members were able to ask questions about their own curiosities and receive answers straight from the source.

Erika Witt, a doctoral candidate in the Doctor of Design in Cultural Preservation at LSU, serves as the director and chief curator of the Southern University New Orleans Museum of Art. Witt was one of the panel speakers of the night and hopes that attendees were able to leave with a new perspective.

“I would like for viewers of this exhibit to take away the fact that ancient Egyptian history is world history,” Witt said. “I want people to be able to see themselves in the artwork, but also appreciate it in a respectful manner. History belongs to all of us. It’s a part of the human experience.”

The panel discussion was followed by hors d’oeuvres, music by saxophonist Eric Whitfield and time to explore the exhibition. It featured everything from reproductions of artifacts to authentic Egyptian funeral masks. The Essence of Egypt, a collection of custom-made designs inspired by Ancient Egyptian culture, was created by students and faculty of Southern University’s fashion program and was on display.

Artwork by local high school students were themed around the history and culture of ancient Egypt and lined the hallway. The unique approach of including the community in this exhibit will make it memorable for anyone who decides to visit.

The Louisiana Art & Science Museum has been a Baton Rouge staple since 1976, when it moved into the space that previously housed a railroad passenger station. Since then, additions have been made, the location has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and hundreds of thousands of intrigued minds have walked through their doors.

“Appreciation Versus Appropriation: The Art of Ancient Egypt” is a shining example of LASM’s belief that the disciplines of art and science shape and form one another. With over half of the museum’s 45,000 annual visitors being school program participants, many of Baton Rouge’s young people have core memories tied to this special place.

“Participating in the arts and cultural experiences such as this exhibit is of the utmost importance,” LASM President and Executive Director Karen M. Soniat said. “It opens up the world to the people who come to this museum and experience activities, events and the exchange of information.”

“Discoveries on the Nile” will be on view until Sept. 1, 2025. To keep up with LASM and new exhibits, follow their Instagram @lasmbr.