Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art

February 26, 2004, Washington, D.C.
Contact: Washington Foreign Press Center Program Officer: Jennifer Archibeque
Telephone: 202-504-6319; Email: jennifera@state.gov

The Washington Foreign Press Center organized a reporting tour to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art .  Five journalists from Brazil, Nigeria, Romania, South Africa, and Sudan participated in the event.  The tour featured a discussion with museum director Dr. Sharon Patton, who spoke about the significance of African art in the United States and outlined her vision for the museum's collection and outreach programs.  Participants also previewed "Insights," the museum's new exhibition of contemporary art with the exhibit's curators.  The tour concluded with a behind-the-scenes visit to the museum's conservation laboratory, where conservators demonstrated techniques for preserving and preparing pieces of art.