REGISTER HERE - https://thewalters.org/event/boshell-2025/
Ancient Egyptians mummified animals for many reasons, including to preserve cherished pets after death, to offer food to the deceased in tombs, and so their souls could deliver messages to the gods. Today, taxidermists preserve animals for a variety of other purposes, including educational and artistic uses. Join us for this special lecture during the opening weekend of Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt as we connect modern-day practices with ancient ones.
Listen to a presentation on current practices in animal preservation by Divya Anantharaman, artist and taxidermist, and learn about the unique characteristics of living animals that many seek to highlight and preserve from Colby Bieschke, Manager of Nature Camps and Summer Camp Director at Irvine Nature Center. Following the presentations, audience members can submit questions for a public Q&A moderated by Lisa Anderson-Zhu, Curator of Ancient Mediterranean Art and Curator of Provenance. Stay a little longer for a public reception featuring Egyptian street food from Koshary Corner following the program in the Museum Cafe.
Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt highlights the stories behind animal mummification and is on view from September 27, 2025–January 11, 2026.