Vermont artist Susan Osgood to discuss Egyptian art at BMAC on May 23
Presentation accompanies the exhibit "Children of the Oasis"

BRATTLEBORO, VT -- In a free presentation scheduled for Saturday, May 23 at 2 p.m. at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC), artist Susan Osgood will discuss the influence of nature in tapestries created at Egypt's Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre, as well as in ancient and contemporary Egyptian art. Osgood will also discuss parallels in the work she does in Egypt as an archaeological illustrator and her practice as an abstract artist.

The Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre is located in Harrania, Egypt, not far from the pyramids of Giza. For over six decades it has been the setting for a tapestry workshop for local children who have neither formal education nor artistic training. The Centre's founder, Ramses Wissa Wassef, has said, "Human freedom never has as much meaning and value as when it allows the creative power of the child to come into action. All children are endowed with a creative power which includes an astonishing variety of potentialities. This power is necessary for the child to build up his own existence.”

The exhibit "Children of the Oasis," on view at BMAC through June 21, features a selection of tapestries by current and former students of the Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre. It appears at BMAC in cooperation with Izdahar, a non-profit organization based in Burlington, Vermont, working to foster understanding between America and the Middle East and North Africa through artistic exchange.

Since 1985 Vermont-based artist Susan Osgood has worked as an archaeological illustrator in Luxor, Egypt. When she is not drawing ancient monuments and artifacts, Osgood produces abstract art, which has been exhibited widely and is held in private and corporate collections around the world. Osgood is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, and she has previously taught art at Community College of Vermont.

In addition to "Children of the Oasis," five other exhibits are on view at BMAC through June 21.

Founded in 1972, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center presents rotating exhibits of contemporary art, complemented by lectures, artist talks, film screenings, and other public programs. The museum’s exhibits and gift shop are open every day except Tuesday, 11-5. Regular admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for students. Members and children 18 and under are admitted free of charge. Located in historic Union Station in downtown Brattleboro, at the intersection of Main Street and Routes 119 and 142, the museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 802-257-0124 or visit www.brattleboromuseum.org.

Major support for BMAC is provided by its members and Entergy Vermont Yankee, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters, People’s United Bank, Brattleboro Ford Subaru, Whetstone Station Restaurant & Brewery, and Allen Brothers Oil.

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