News

For Immediate Release

 

Contact:         Nancy Knight                                                             Katie Wassmer

                        Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art           Thompson & Berry PR

                        (901) 523-ARTS                                             (901) 251-5103                                  

 

Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art

Kicks Off Series of Open House Nights

 

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, February 11, 2007 – The Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art, 119 South Main, has announced a series of complimentary open house nights for 2007. Each open house will focus on a particular group in the Memphis-area, and will feature a guided tour of the museum’s collection, customized to the group’s interest.

The first open house will be held Tuesday, March 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All teachers and administrators from area city schools are invited.

            The open house series will host other groups throughout the year, including private and county school teachers and administrators, young professionals, and members of several professional organizations. Dates and times for these open houses will be announced in the future.

            “We are extremely proud of the collection we house at the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art,” said Nancy Knight, museum curator. “We can’t wait to show it off and allow these groups to really get a chance to tour the museum in a unique and intimate setting.”

The Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art boasts an impressive array of Asian art and Judaica. Several of the Asian pieces date back as far as the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Pieces include works in jade and ivory, and several rare finds collected on the Jack and Marilyn Belz’ excursions around the world.

The Judaica collection is an impressive host of traditional Jewish ceremonial objects, sculptures and bronze reliefs from some of the world’s best known Israeli artists, and paintings and other works from Holocaust survivors.

“Both the Asian and Jewish cultures have so much to offer in terms of art, and we are excited to showcase such an impressive collection to the people of Memphis,” said Knight.

To register for the February 27 open house or inquire about future open houses, please contact the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art at (901) 523-ARTS.

 

About the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art
Opened in 1998, the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art (formerly the Peabody Place Museum) is home to a world-class collection of 19th century Chinese art and rare Judaic art. The permanent exhibit at the Museum includes objects created for Chinese nobility during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), intricately carved jade sculptures, crafted enamelware pieces, rare objects carved in ivory, and impressive ceremonial and historical pieces. The Museum also has collections of fossils and minerals, contemporary European art glass, Russian lacquer boxes, and more.

The Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art is open from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from noon until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For information on special group rates, guided tours, educational programs, teachers' packets and special event room rental, contact the museum at (901) 523-ARTS.