LITTLE ROCK, AR.- In conjunction with the monumental exhibition World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed, presented by Stephens Inc. Investment Bankers, Guest Curator William H. Peck will present the lecture Egypt and the Egyptians: An Introduction to World of the Pharaohs Thursday, August 27, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. in the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre. A reception will be held at 6 p.m. before the lecture.

In this introductory lecture on the land of Egypt and ancient Egyptian civilization, Peck, an internationally acclaimed art historian and Egyptologist, will discuss daily life, kingship, religion and the afterlife by highlighting objects featured in the exhibition World of the Pharaohs. "The most fascinating objects in the exhibition are the ones that were handled by the Egyptians and used in everyday life," said Peck.

The Arkansas Arts Center contracted William H. Peck, former senior curator of ancient art at the Detroit Institute of Arts, to serve as guest curator. Peck, an active archaeologist, exhibition consultant and lecturer, authored the book Drawings from Ancient Egypt and has contributed to several other publications, including exhibition catalogues, encyclopedias and other books. Peck said World of the Pharaohs is unique because “the exhibition [is] not about one Pharaoh or one time period or facet of Egyptian history and culture” and that “no single king's life or treasure is enough to evoke the spirit of a place and a people as fascinating as the ancient Egyptians.”

World of the Pharaohs will be on view September 25, 2009 – July 5, 2010. This exhibition explores the long-vanished world of ancient Egypt through art and artifacts that span over 3,000 years of dynastic history. More than 200 magnificent objects, including mummies, a majestic colossus of Ramses the Great, Egyptian art, jewelry, statues, sculptures and funerary artifacts, illustrate the life of ancient Egypt.