The NIU School of Art and the Elizabeth Allen Visiting Scholars program are sponsoring a presentation titled “Maya Body” by an accomplished Yale art history professor tonight.

Mary Miller, who is the Vincent Scully Professor of the History of Art at Yale University, will be sharing her knowledge of Mayan ideals of human perfection with NIU students and staff.

Jeff Kowalski, an NIU art historian and professor, is excited about the event.

“Students can gain insight into the history and development of human culture,” Kowalski said. “This will help give them a sense of how visual art and media are used to illustrate cultural standards of ideal beauty.”

Miller is also the principal organizer and author of the recent major exhibition entitled “Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya” that was on display at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.

She has also written and co-authored numerous major books including “The Blood of Kings: Dynasty and Ritual in Maya Art,” which she wrote with Linda Schele.

The presentation will take place at 5:30 p.m. today in the Jack Arends Visual Arts Building, Room 100. After the presentation there will be a reception in the Olson Gallery, Room 200. Students and faculty are invited to attend.

For more information on this presentation, contact the Olsen Gallery acting coordinator Ann O’Brien at 753-4521.