Smithsonian American Art Museum Will Present a Series of Public Programs as Part of the 2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival
Free March 23 Family Day is Premiere Event
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is collaborating with the 2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival to present a series of cherry blossom-themed public programs March 23 through March 29 at its main building (Eighth and F streets N.W.) and at its Renwick Gallery (Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W.). The museum’s family day is a signature event of the festival. Special cherry blossom-themed products, including scarves, t-shirts, mugs, ornaments and tote bags, will be available in the museum’s stores.
Saturday, March 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the museum will present free activities for children and families in its Kogod Courtyard. Taiko drummers will perform at the beginning of the program on F Street N.W. at the museum’s entrance. Activities include cherry blossom-themed crafts, live music performed on traditional Japanese instruments, a scavenger hunt to find spring-themed artworks in the museum’s galleries and face painting. Additional information and a schedule of activities is online at americanart.si.edu/family. The museum’s Cherry Blossom Celebration is part of the museum’s popular Family Festival series of monthly programs designed to spark learning, creativity and appreciation for the arts.
Also on March 23, from 1 to 3 p.m., the official artist of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Simon Bull, will lead a “Beyond the Studio Workshop” in the museum’s Luce Foundation Center. Bull will share highlights from his experience as a local artist then instruct participants on how to create their very own craft. Tickets ($10) are available for purchase beginning March 9 at noon.
Monday, March 25, from noon to 1 p.m., The 6821 Quintet will perform a free lunchtime, pop-up concert in the Betty Rubenstein Grand Salon at the museum’s Renwick Gallery. Named after the approximate distance between Washington, D.C., and Tokyo, this group of international musicians collaborates every year to debut a new work commissioned for the opening ceremonies of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The performance will showcase four commissioned works from past festivals.
Friday, March 29, the museum will host Cherry Blossom Sunrise with Daybreakers. The program features yoga at 6 a.m. followed by dancing from 7 to 9 a.m. Tickets are $25. Register at daybreaker.com/city/dc for additional information and to purchase tickets.
About the National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the nation’s greatest springtime celebration. The 2019 Festival, March 20 through April 14, includes four weeks of events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty and community spirit. Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org or call (877) 44-BLOOM for more information, or check out Facebook (CherryBlossomFestival), Twitter (@CherryBlossFest) and Instagram (@CherryBlossFest).
The 2019 Festival media partners are Washington Parent, 97.1 WASH-FM and 98.7 WMZQ.
About the Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is the flagship museum in the United States for American art and craft. It is home to one of the most significant and inclusive collections of American art in the world. The museum’s main building, located at Eighth and G streets N.W., is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The museum’s Renwick Gallery, a branch museum dedicated to contemporary craft, is located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W. and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Check online for current hours and admission information. Admission is free. Follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000. Museum information (recorded): (202) 633-7970. Website: americanart.si.edu.
