by Gabrielle Dunn – Case Western Reserve Univerity, USA – Politics and Philosophy

Now I’m not really a museum-kinda-gal; I would much rather learn about the culture of a place through experience rather than reading about it behind a piece of glass. BUT! a) I’m definitely a bit late in time to experience life in ancient Egypt and b) The Cleveland Museum of Art has such a reputation for being outstanding, I simply had to go.

Every first Friday of the month, the Cleveland Museum of Art holds a special 18+ ‘mixer’ event. It’s essentially where artsy people from across the city put their glad rags on and mingle whilst sipping wine and conversing about the latest trends in Cleveland art. This Friday however, the mixer event was also in anticipation of the new ‘Pharaoh: King of Ancient Egypt’ art exhibition opening. The exhibition boasted artefacts over 3000 years old; and through them re-told the story of the ancient Egyptian kingdom. Power, government, civil war, and tales of Queens were among some of the truly fascinating themes that the exhibition boasted.

Also, at the museum reception there were authentic Egyptian people dressed in their traditional ancient clothing, dancing to the live beat of the drummers whilst people socialised their way into the night. I’ve always said if I had to live in a different time period it would be ancient Egypt, and the magic that radiated of the Cleveland Museum of Art that evening again reminded me of why. Cleveland Museum of Art – 10/10 – (and discounted for Case Western students J ) – would deffo recommend.