The University Museum at Indiana University of Pennsylvania will hold its annual fundraising gala, “Indiana Bones: An Evening at the Explorers' Club,” on Sept. 6.
The event begins at the University Museum on the first floor of IUP's Sutton Hall with cocktails and the preview of the exhibition, “The Lost World of Sea Creatures and Meat Eaters,” at 6 p.m.
The gala theme reflects the exhibition, which is a showcase of fossils of ancient life from 100 million years ago.
The gala includes dinner at 7:30 p.m., entertainment and a benefit auction in the Blue Room of Sutton Hall. Entertainment will be provided by Vantella Lamar and “Exotica” and music will be provided by Iggy Rocks and His Hot Five. Attire is black tie or explorer khaki.
Reservations are due by Aug. 29, and cost is $125 per person. For more information or to make reservations, call 724-357-2397.
The exhibition opens to the public with a reception on Sept. 13 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
The exhibition features fossils and geological specimens from the Michael and Barbara Sincak Natural History Collection at IUP. The Sincaks, of Hollsopple, Cambria County, are the owners of the Treasures of the Earth stores. In December 2007, the couple made a donation valued at $82,072 of 109 items to IUP and the geoscience department.
The exhibit includes a number of fossils, including a tyrannosaur skull, a triceratops skull, an allosaur skull and a plesiosaur skeleton embedded in rock but partially excavated.
The exhibition is curated by Dr. Steve Hovan and Dr. John Taylor, faculty members in the IUP Geoscience Department.
The University Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from noon to 9 p.m. The exhibition will be on display through Dec. 6.
The University Museum is a program of the College of Fine Arts at IUP.
IUP is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.