Release Date: November 5, 2003
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
CELEBRATES THE 2003 HOLIDAY SEASON
National Gallery of Art West Building Rotunda decorated for
the holidays
© 2001 National Gallery of Art
Washington, DC -- Throughout December, the National Gallery of Art will celebrate the 2003 holiday season with free programs that include caroling, concerts, gallery talks, and a special lecture, while a selection of holiday treats from around the world will be served in the East Building's Espresso and Gelato Bar and the Sculpture Garden's Pavilion Café. Decking the West Building's grand Rotunda and Garden Courts will be an array of traditional holiday plants and greenery, from amaryllises and poinsettias to fir trees decorated with sparkling white lights. Seasonal items and art-related gifts for sale are already on display in the Gallery Shops.
Gallery Talks and Lectures
The Christmas Story in Art, a 50-minute talk led by Gallery lecturers Philip Leonard and J. Russell Sale, will present paintings in the collection with holiday themes. Meet in the West Building Rotunda on December 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, and 31 at 1:00 p.m.
A slide lecture A Painting for the Medici? The Gallery's "Adoration of the Magi" Tondo, will take place on Sunday, December 21, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the East Building Auditorium.
Holiday Caroling
Visitors are invited to sing along with guest ensembles in the West Building Rotunda at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on December 13, 14, 20, and 21, and at 12 noon on December 19.
December 13
First Mount Zion Baptist Church Massed Choir
Dumfries, Virginia
Sylstea C. Sledge, minister of music
December 14
The Xaverian High School Chorus
Brooklyn, New York
Joseph Loposky, director, Joseph Appel, pianist
December 19
The Potomac School Madrigal Singers
McLean, Virginia
Jerry Rich, director
December 20
Bolling Air Force Base Gospel Choir
Washington, DC
December 21
The Alexandria Choral Society Children's Choir
Alexandria, Virginia
Kevin Carr, director
Concerts
Concerts take place on Sunday evenings in the West Building, West Garden Court, and are free to the public. Performances are from 7:00 to approximately 8:30 p.m. Audiences are admitted on a first-come, first-seated basis starting at 6:00 p.m. The Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, entrance to the West Building remains open until 7:00 p.m. (no one is admitted after the doors close), and the Garden Café is open until 6:30 p.m.
December 21
Traditional Christmas Concert
National Men's Chorus
Thomas Beveridge, conductor
January 4
Gala Viennese New Year Concert
National Gallery Orchestra
Peter Wilson, guest conductor
Gallery Shops and Restaurants
The Gallery Shops, voted by The Washington Post readers as the "best museum shop in Washington, DC", offer a delightful array of distinctive art-related gifts. The West Building Shop specializes in jewelry, scarves, ties, illustrated books, greeting cards, note card sets, wrapping paper, calendars--including the popular National Gallery of Art engagement and Advent calendars-- and new ornament designs inspired by works of art. The Concourse Bookstore offers an extensive selection of books on art, architecture, and photography, and the Children's Shop carries a unique assortment of gifts designed to inspire creativity.
Special refreshments--mulled cider, cocoa, and holiday sweets with an international flavor-- can be purchased in the Espresso and Gelato Bar in the East Building concourse and in the Sculpture Garden Pavilion Café during the month of December.
# # #
