In January, the Friends visited the Freer Gallery's storage vault for an up-close viewing of Chinese lacquer and textiles. The tour was led by Daisy Wang, Chinese art specialist.

Upcoming Friends Events

For more information about or to RSVP to any of the Friends events listed here, please contact Jenn Ryan, Membership Manager, at 202.633.0417 or e-mail Jenn Ryan.

FRIENDS DAY

Saturday, September 21

Mark your calendars for our annual Friends Day celebration. Start the day with breakfast in the Freer, then enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, remarks by Director Julian Raby, and an elegant evening reception and dinner.

Click here to view the Friends Day tour options.

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Friends Travel

TOUR OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
From Madain Saleh to Doha: A Journey Across the Arabian Peninsula
November 1-13, 2013

A once in a lifetime exhibition calls for a once in a lifetime journey. Join us as we travel the ancient spice and pilgrimage roads that were brought so vividly to life in the Sackler's recent and much-talked-about exhibition, Roads of Arabia: Archaeology and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With many of the objects in the exhibition only recently unearthed, this exclusive Friends trip will be a journey of discovery as we search for the past alongside archaeologists and historians and learn more about the present by meeting private collectors and experiencing a vibrant contemporary art scene. We hope you will save the date!

Click here to view the trip brochure and reservation form. If you have questions or are interested in joining this tour, please contact Jenn Ryan at Jenn Ryan or 202.633.0417.

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SAVE THE DATE

Some Enlightened Evening
Thursday, October 17

Join Julian Raby for Some Enlightened Evening, a gala celebration to mark the premier of Yoga: The Art of Transformation. For more information visit http://asia.si.edu/events/galas.asp.

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The Friends Council

The Friends Council, the museums' only fundraising advisory board, welcomes your interest and support. Please call Jenn Ryan, Membership Manager, to learn more about the advisory board and how you can participate.

Nancy K. Mannes, Co-Chair
Penny Yao, Co-Chair
Robin Berrington
Ronald Costell and Marsha Swiss
Lisa Jorgenson
Stephanie and Eugene Lawson
Jane and Kenneth Lieberthal
Susan Lubick
Dickinson Miller
Jean and Jack Pritchard
Hedy and David Rehfuss
Dorothy Robins-Mowry
Sidelle Wertheimer
Gail Yano
David Yao