HOUSTON, TX— It’s the culmination of decades of travel to exotic lands. An eclectic collection of unique artifacts acquired by Drs. Palmer Beasley and Lu Yu Hwang as their study of Hepatitis B took them to China, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Mexico and a host of other countries. Vanishing Arts: Highlights from the Beasley-Hwang Collection, opening at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on March 24, features 50 of the most fascinating objects from this stunning collection. Sadly, Dr. Beasley passed away in 2012, and HMNS received their collection shortly thereafter.

Highlights from this collection includes an intricately carved and painted mask; an actual Tao sea-going canoe from Taiwan; and a stunning Dragon Robe from the Imperial Court of China, replete with symbolism.

Through descriptive text, photographs and videos, visitors learn how they were created, and why. But it’s up to the guest to imagine why each piece captured the attention of this husband-and-wife team of physicians.

Vanishing Arts: Highlights from the Beasley-Hwang Collection is included with admission to the permanent exhibit halls and free for museum members. For tickets or more information, visit www.hmns.org or call (713) 639-4629.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science—one of the nation’s most heavily attended museums—is a centerpiece of the Houston Museum District. With four floors of permanent exhibit halls, and the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center, Burke Baker Planetarium and George Observatory and as host to world-class and ever-changing touring exhibitions, the Museum has something to delight every age group. With such diverse and extraordinary offerings, a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, located at 5555 Hermann Park Drive in the heart of the Museum District, is always an adventure.

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