Science Center’s ‘Pompeii’ exhibit to welcome arts events
Orlando Science Center’s “Pompeii” exhibit will be bolstered by art, theater, film, dining and other special events to turn the blockbuster exhibition into a community affair.
The science center — one of only four museums nationwide to host the traveling exhibit of ancient artifacts — on Wednesday announced a series of special events to engage the public in the run-up to the opening of “Pompeii: The Immortal City” next June.
“With something this big, we wanted to have a real community feel,” said center president JoAnn Newman, pointing out that science-arts collaborations “raise everybody up.”
Pompeii was a city in present-day Italy that was destroyed by the volcano Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 A.D. The volcanic ash preserved much of the city, which was later uncovered and provided a unique glimpse into the lives of people then. Many of the artifacts that make up the touring exhibit have never been seen outside of Italy.
Among the special Pompeii-related arts events, Mad Cow Theatre will stage a theater piece based on women of the city. The Downtown Arts District will host themed art exhibits. Enzian Theater in Maitland will screen films related to Pompeii and ancient Rome.
The University of Central Florida will host a symposium on life in the city, and UCF’s Center for Research and Education in Arts, Technology and Entertainment (CREATE) will teach the science of frescoes — a popular art form of the time — to school students.
Food journalist Joseph Hayes will curate pop-up dining events, looking at the food of the time period. Snap! Space art gallery will devise an augmented-reality experience for the public. And in perhaps the most terrifying announcement, Orlando’s Creative City Project will design a realistic volcano installation.
“We wanted to get as broad a crosssection [of events] as we could,” Newman said.
In all, 29 projects were proposed; a committee made the final selections. Originally, Orange County had agreed to grant $75,000 from its “blockbuster fund,” money set aside for large-scale community events. But the grant, funded by the tourist-development tax on hotel stays, was increased to $93,000 in order to fully fund the selected projects, said Terry Olson, director of Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs.
“This will create an experience larger than any one single museum,” said Newman, calling the collaboration “an experience that represents our entire region.”
“Pompeii: The Immortal City” will open at the science center, in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park, on June 4.