Joel A. Bartsch holds responsibilities as CEO of the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) and has wide-ranging responsibilities that include planning and overseeing exhibitions. In February 2021, Joel Bartsch and the HMNS staff opened the doors to POMPEII: The Exhibition. This exhibition provides a unique look at a cataclysmic eruption two millennia ago that preserved an ancient Roman city intact at the moment of the catastrophe.

In 79 AD, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius suddenly covered Pompeii under blankets of pumice and ash, with a vivid snapshot of life preserved until it was rediscovered in the late 16th century. An impetus for the development of the discipline of archaeology, the residences included intact pottery, mosaics, painting, and graffiti.

A primary value of the excavations was in providing an accurate snapshot of everyday Roman life. The HMNS exhibit includes a food stand of ancient Pompeii that features well-preserved paintings of ducks and a rooster. This artwork apparently served the same function as a branding logo does for contemporary fast food establishments, in enticing customers to sample culinary offerings.