ADVISORY/Pandamania Hits Washington Streets; D.C. Commission on the Arts Unveils Panda Sculptures.

Lifestyle Editors/Feature Editors

ADVISORY...for Monday (May 10)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

  WHAT:       The D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities will unveil
              twelve of the 150 PandaMania sculptures that will be
              placed in prominent locations throughout Washington this
              spring until the end of September. Artists from around
              the world have dedicated their imagination and talent to
              transform the blank sculptures into works of art.

  WHO:        D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams
              Dorothy McSweeny, Chairwoman of the D.C. Commission
               on the Arts
              Tony Gittens, Executive Director of D.C. Commission
               on the Arts
              Lucy H. Spelman, Director of Smithsonian's National Zoo
              Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Yang Jiechi
              Artists

  WHEN:       Monday, May 10, 2004
              Continental breakfast, provided by Marriott, will be
               available at 7:30 AM
              Program will begin at 8:00 AM

+ ALL PRESS MUST CHECK-IN & SET-UP CAMERAS BY 7:45 AM +

  WHERE:      Smithsonian's National Zoo, Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat
              3001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
              Washington, DC

  PARKING:    News media crews use parking lot B
              Microwave live trucks use the Bus Lot next to
               parking lot B

  PANDAMANIA: Similar to its highly successful 2002 Party Animals
              public art project, the D.C. Commission on the Arts &
              Humanities has selected and funded 150 international,
              national, and local artists to design the panda
              sculptures that will be displayed from May through
              September. PandaMania will conclude in September with
              the "Giant Panda Auction", with proceeds going to the
              DC Arts Commission grants programs and art education.
              All sponsors will have plaques on their animals and
              will be recognized on PandaMania's official website:
              www.pandamaniadc.org

  CONTACT:    RSVP to Annette Larkin
              Office: 202-828-9706, Cell: 703-772-6427
              [e-mail]

SOURCE: D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities