Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival

In celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival® and the arrival of spring in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art (Jefferson Drive and 12th Street S.W.) and nearby Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (1050 Independence Avenue S.W.) have partnered with the Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia in sponsoring the annual Cherry Blossom Festival Poster Contest which was open to students at all city public schools. The Best in Show artwork will be on display at the Freer Gallery for the duration of the festival and the galleries will present several programs celebrating this time of year, including a rotation of the Freer's most important and lavish Japanese screens.

The festival, which celebrates the friendship between the United States and Japan, takes place March 23 through April 8. This year's festival marks the 90th anniversary of the original gift of 3,000 cherry trees by the city of Tokyo to the people of the nation. Festival information can be found at www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org or by calling (202) 547-1500.

"As a museum that celebrates the art and culture of Asia, we are happy to once again be a part of this important community celebration and are delighted to partner with the Mayor's Office in this wonderful contest," said Vidya Dehejia, acting director of the Freer and Sackler.

Families visiting the galleries during the festival can go on a "Discover the Art of Japan" tour in the Freer where they will learn about the artistic traditions of Japan as they explore the museum's Japanese paintings, screens, ceramics and lacquer ware. Tours are offered daily from March 23 to April 8 at 11:30 a.m. On March 25 and 28 at 2 p.m., the Freer and Sackler's east Asian painting conservator will give a behind the scenes look at Japanese folding screens in the Freer as he leads a brief talk and tour on the creation and preservation of this art form.

In addition, within an eight-week period beginning March 24, visitors to the Freer will have the rare opportunity to see 32 of the Freer's most important and lavish Japanese screens in a series of small exhibitions.

An art form that originated in China, the screen was adopted as an important visual format as early as the eighth century in Japan. By the 17th century, screens were frequently commissioned by religious groups, as well as court, military and merchant patrons eager to flaunt their wealth. Created in many shapes and sizes, portable screens were used as decorative tools that not only defined space, but also made political or religious statements or commented on the seasons.

On view are stellar works from the Muromachi (1333–1573), Momoyama (1573–1615) and Edo (1615–1868) periods during which a distinctly Japanese style of screen decoration emerged. Typical themes included depictions of animals and plants, as well as Chinese sages, aristocratic entertainments and commoners enjoying outings.

Other exhibitions at the Freer and Sackler featuring Japanese art include a selection of contemporary Japanese porcelain at the Sackler and "The Potter's Brush: The Kenzan Style in Japanese Ceramics" at the Freer.

Visitors may also wish to visit the galleries' shops where items relating to the Cherry Blossom Festival are available, including merchandise featuring the Best in Show artwork, dinnerware and jewelry and other items inspired the arts and cultures of Asia. The shops will also have a booth at the 12th Street Sakura Matsuri street bazaar held on Saturday, April 6 from noon to 5 p.m. at 12th Street between Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues N.W.

The Freer Gallery of Art (12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W.) and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (1050 Independence Ave. S.W.) together form the national museum of Asian art for the United States. The Freer also houses a major collection of late 19th and early 20th-century American art. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day except Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and admission is free. Public tours are offered daily. The galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information, the public may call 202.357.2700 or TTY 202.357.1729, or visit the galleries' Web site at www.asia.si.edu.