In a shop in downtown Reidsville lie the secrets of a foreign land. Studebaker's Antiques displays the artwork of Sayed Rawi, which tells the story of Egyptian culture in brilliant color and hieroglyphics.

"I thought this is the right time to show my gratitude to my new home by introducing my ancient Egyptian heritage of magic, knowledge and myth," said Rawi, a native of Cairo, Egypt. "My art work is just an attempt to reveal some of its secrets and fascinating culture."

Rawi's artwork is more than images. The hieroglyphics tell the story of Egypt. Rawi's inscriptions and images on papyrus paper convey the ritual of the Festival of the Nile, an ancient tradition in which the Egyptians offer the most beautiful lady to the Nile River, God's gift to Egypt. Another of Rawi's pieces shares the legend of King Osiris' journey from death to life.

According to Rawi, Osiris' enemies killed him and scattered his body across the Nile, but Osiris' wife, Isis, collected the pieces, reunited his body and restored his spirit.

The piece of artwork illustrates Egyptians' beliefs about life and death. Rawi said Egyptians believe death is not the end of the human journey, but rather the beginning of a new journey, or a type of transformation.

One of Rawi's favorite subjects is King Tut, whose golden mask he has crafted on Egyptian papyrus, on a coffee table and on a chair. "It's spiritual, majestic artwork beyond our human imagination," said Rawi. He said looking into King Tut's deep, soulful eyes could teach a person about Egyptian culture. Rawi described the revolutionary King Tut, whose sudden death impacted a nation, as the Egyptian equivalent of America's John F. Kennedy.

Rawi, who has traveled throughout the world, has called North Carolina home for nearly a quarter of a century. He owned a Times Turn Around store in Reidsville in the 1990s and now owns Times No. 3 in Caswell County, where he lives and has his own art studio.

Rawi teaches art, has a solo art show nearly every year and paints murals, one of which is on display in downtown Greensboro.

"I have to admit that my own journey in life from the Nile River to the Dan River is quite a fairy tale," said Rawi. "My objective of that art show in the heart of Reidsville city is to offer a glimpse of culture from the other side of the world. Yes, you may call it 'cultural diversity.'"

Rawi has studied art at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, in Bologna, Italy, and at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He also worked as an illustrator for Walt Disney publications in Cairo, Egypt, and for Egyptian public TV in the mid 1970s.

As a tribute to Disney, Rawi has painted a cabinet that tells the story of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Each drawer of the cabinet has an image that illustrates a different chapter of the story. Rawi views the cabinet, which is on display at Studebaker's, as a way to teach children about art and culture.

Rawi's favorite painting is an interpretation of Johannes Brahms' Fourth Symphony, inspired by his study of art and music in Europe. "He was more than a musician," said Rawi. "He was an architect and a poet." Another of Rawi's paintings on display at Studebaker's depicts Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons concertos. Rawi painted 65 pieces depicting the works of classical musicians for a solo art show in High Point.

Two of Rawi's modern paintings at Studebaker's depict American jazz. He also explores NASCAR, and two painted hatboxes on a coffee table depict racing legend Dale Earnhardt, who Rawi calls an "icon" of American culture.

Dick Savedge, co-owner of Studebaker's Antiques, said of the art: "It's just different ? it's not run-of-the-mill. You won't find it in a typical art shop.

"Every piece tells a story and has a special meaning."

Studebaker's Antiques is at 223 South Scales St. in Reidsville, and the shop is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.