Genghis Khan: The Exhibition Brought Hordes to Irving Arts Center

Oct. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- The Irving Arts Center announced today that Genghis Khan: The Exhibition, the largest collection of 13th century Mongolian artifacts ever gathered in a single showing, brought in the largest crowds to date with 50,988 visitors attending the touring exhibition during the Irving run. Organized by Don Lessem, a noted science journalist, Genghis Khan: The Exhibition premiered at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in 2009, traveled to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, followed by the San Jose Tech Museum in California and the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands Resort in Singapore.  Post Irving stops for Khan include the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the Field Museum in Chicago.

“The exhibition was a great success on so many levels,” said Richard Huff, Executive Director of Irving Arts Center, “especially in terms of outreach, community involvement and raising the profile of the Irving Arts Center. Our field trip program brought in 13,000 students from throughout Texas, including the Irving ISD and smaller school districts all the way up into southern Oklahoma.

Over 50,000 visitors came from 49 states and Washington, DC.  Surveys indicated that over 80% of them, most notably many in the DFW area, had never been to the Arts Center before. Local volunteers also contributed enormously to the success and popularity of the exhibition; over 150 individuals logged in an excess of 8,000 hours working in the exhibition, providing great customer service and sharing their knowledge of Genghis Khan and the exhibition.”  

Running concurrent with the exhibition in Irving was an online Conquer Your Fears Sweepstakes.  The contest invited visitors to enter to win a variety of “thrilling” prizes with three drawings throughout the summer and a grand prize given at the conclusion of the exhibit run.  The grand prize winner was Donna Delhagen of Arlington. When notified that she had won a haunted San Diego adventure package, Donna said, “We loved the exhibition and then went online and saw the contest.  This will be our last family vacation before our son gets married this spring.”

The grand prize features round trip coach airfare for two on American Airlines; five nights at the famous Hotel Del Coronado Hotel staying in the haunted ghost room of the historic property; $1,500 in Del Dollars; a limousine tour of haunted Old Town; the Go San Diego Card for admission to San Diego's top attractions; and $1500 in spending cash. TOTAL VALUE: $6,297

About Genghis Khan: The Exhibition
The world tour of Genghis Khan: The Exhibition captures the essence of Genghis Khan’s empire, his military prowess, cultural influence, mysterious burial and lasting legacy on modern-day culture. The exhibition, the largest collection of 13th century Mongolian artifacts ever gathered in a single showing, includes gold jewelry, weaponry, tomb treasures, silk robes, religious relics, and porcelain vases.  Video screens, handicraft and weaponry activity stations, a life size ger (traditional Mongolian home) and role-playing kiosks create a highly interactive, educational and historical experience that is fun for the whole family.

About The Irving Arts Center
The Irving Arts Center is a department of the City of Irving. The Arts Center became an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in 2007 and is one of only 160 institutions nationwide to earn the honor. More than 135,000 visitors representing 28 states and 205 cities attend Arts Center events each year. For more information please contact the Arts Center at (972) 252-7558 or visit www.irvingartscenter.com.

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About Genghis Khan: The Exhibition
The world tour of Genghis Khan: The Exhibition captures the essence of Genghis Khan’s empire, his military prowess, cultural influence, mysterious burial and lasting legacy on modern-day culture. The exhibition, the largest collection of 13th century Mongolian artifacts ever gathered in a single showing, includes gold jewelry, weaponry, tomb treasures, silk robes, religious relics, and porcelain vases. Video screens, handicraft and weaponry activity stations, a life size ger (traditional Mongolian home) and role-playing kiosks create a highly interactive, educational and historical experience that is fun for the whole family.