Perth Museum opens its doors to internationally renowned curator for an exclusive after-hours talk

Tickets are now on sale for an exclusive event at Perth Museum with former Met Museum curator Dr Barbara Drake Boehm, who will headline a unique evening event exploring the history of unicorns.

Dr Boehm, the Paul and Jill Ruddock Curator Emerita at The Met Cloisters in New York, will visit the newly-opened Perth Museum to give an exclusive after-hours talk, delving into the fascinating history and symbolism of unicorns. Her talk will explore how unicorns have been documented throughout history, revealing their significance across art, religion, and folklore. This unique event will also include exclusive access to the museum’s debut exhibition, Unicorn, which has already garnered critical acclaim.

The unicorn has captivated imaginations for centuries, appearing in stories from a variety of cultures and inspiring countless artistic interpretations. The mythical creature has become a symbol with countless meanings, from Christian iconography to natural science, and medicine. By exploring the many facets of the unicorn, we gain insights into fantasy, world knowledge, and human creativity.

Dr Boehm’s connection to Scotland stems from a year-long study at the University of Aberdeen in 1974-75 during her undergraduate years at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, the alma mater of notable figures including Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright.

Dr Barbara Drake Boehm said “I first discovered Scotland at age 17, and it has called me back again and again over a lifetime. Yours is a land that possesses all the magic of the unicorn. What a privilege for me to come to Perth to speak about Scotland’s wondrous national beast.”

Ashleigh Hibbins, Head of Audiences and Learning for Culture Perth and Kinross, said ‘We are delighted to be able to host such a venerable guest as Dr Boehm. The success of the new Perth Museum and Unicorn has raised the profile of Perth and Kinross and allowed us to attract more internationally-renowned experts to the city than ever before,  benefitting the entire region. This magical evening of unicorns is not to be missed.’

Beyond Belief: Science and the Unicorn with Barbara Drake Boehm takes place from 6pm – 8pm on Friday 21 June at Perth Museum. Doors open at 6pm for exclusive access to the Unicorn exhibition, with the talk starting at 7pm.

Tickets are priced at £20 for adults and £18 for concessions and are available from Perthshire Box Office.