Benet

June 1-Oct. 31, 2004 will be the dates of the Etruscan Treasures Exhibit at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art on the campus of St. Gregory's University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. There will be over 200 pieces of gold Etruscan jewelry from the private collections of Italian Prince Fabrizio Alliata and Dr. Francesco Buranelli, the Director Gen. of the Vatican Museums. There will be over 30 artifacts from the Gregorian-Etruscan Museum of the Vatican Museums. This will be the only venue for this exhibit. For more information go to www.mgmoa.org. St. Gregory's University and the Museum are owned and operated by the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory's Abbey. There will be tours of the University campus and tours of the Abbey church that has wonderful stain glass windows. Shawnee is on I-40 35 minutes east of Oklahoma City. You may wish to visit www.stgregorys.edu. Come to Shawnee to see something from Rome.

ski4me

Benet,
Have you seen the exhibit since it has opened and can you give us an update? I am particularly interested in the gold jewelry. Also do you have to schedule the tours of the Abbey church? I have passed the church many times in my childhood and always thought it was beautiful.

Is it possible to get in without purchasing a ticket in advance?

Since I usually just pass Shawnee on the interstate can you tell me some good local places to eat, not the chains off the hwy. Thanks!

ski4me

Benet may be a one time poster, so has anyone else seen this exhibit yet?

Benet

Tours of St. Gregory's Abbey church are free. We only request a donation. I have seen the Exhibit 7 times. It is wonderful. Still cannot believe that this Exhibit of Etruscan jewelry and artifacts from Italy and the Vatican is here. Tours of the church are scheduled for Tues-Sat at 10:30, 1:30, and 3 pm. On Sundays they are 1:30 and 3 pm. There are no tours on Monday since the Museum is closed that day. If there is no tour guide one can do a self-guided tour of the church and its wonderful stained glass windows. There are also tours of St. Gregory's University available too.
Dr. Buranelli and his wife and Prince Alliata's son were in Shawnee for the previews and were very happy to see how the displays had turned out.

Places to eat: The Shawnee visitor's center could be of better help, but what I know off the top of my head is: Delta, McDonald's, Garfield's, KFC, Charlie's Chicken, Denny's, Braum's, Golden Choral, Red Lobster, Chili's, several Mexican and Chinese food places. There is an Italian restaurant on Kickapoo which is very good. They are not open on Sundays. It is owned by Italians who came over from Italy.
Now is a great time to come to the Exhibit. The crowds of tourists are not very long. Later in August to Oct. that may change.
The Museum's gift shop has many wonderful items that are of various price ranges. Again the Exhibit is wonderful!
I am one of the monks.

ski4me

Thanks for all of the information Benet. I will try to come out to the exhibit soon so to avoid the crowds. My sister is going to come in from San Antonio so we can go together. We visited relatives in Shawnee often as children and rembember driving by the campus. I look forward to seeing the Abbey church with the stain glass windows!

Are children allowed in the exhibit? My daughter is five, but very behaved. I would need to know before I visit.

Benet

Yes children are allowed in the Exhibit and does age 5 and under are free.