Friday, June 30, 2006

After a 6 1/2 -year makeover, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery reopen to the public Saturday from 11:30 to 7, with a Grand Opening Family Festival featuring musical and dance performances; art demonstrations; gallery tours; roaming actors dressed as historical personalities from the museums' collections; and free ice cream at the G Street entrance. A free shuttle bus will run throughout the day between the museums and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall.

Collectively known as the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, the two museums are in the Old Patent Office Building at Eighth Street between F and G streets NW (Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown). Both are open daily 11:30 to 7 with free admission. 202-633-1000 (TDD: 202-357-1729). http://www.americanart.si.edu/ , http://www.npg.si.edu/ and http://www.reynoldscenter.org/ .