Release Date: October 31, 2001

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice-Skating Rink Opens in Mid-November

Washington, DC -- The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden ice-skating rink will be open 15 November 2001, through March 15, 2002, weather permitting. The ice rink, which has become a major Washington area recreational attraction, last year drew more than 48,000 skaters to its unique setting.

The rink's sleek, modern design creates open vistas throughout the garden and offers skaters the added experience of viewing wonderful works of contemporary sculpture. A state-of-the-art music system, with twenty-four speakers installed on light poles encircling the rink, provides uniform sound to skaters without distracting other visitors to the garden. Banners featuring Hendrick Avercamp's A Scene on the Ice (c. 1625), from the Gallery's collection, contribute to the festive atmosphere.

The Pavilion Café, with a panoramic view of the garden and ice rink, serves freshly made wraps, sandwiches, gourmet pizzas, and salads. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, wine, and beer are also available. Hours during the skating season are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The hours for the ice-skating rink are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight; and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission for a two-hour session (beginning on the hour) is $5.50 for adults and $4.50 for seniors (age 50 and over), children (age 12 and under), and students with ID. The skate rental fee is $2.50. The locker rental fee is $.50 ($5.00 deposit required). Discounts on admission and fees are available for groups of ten or more. To arrange a group visit call (202) 289-3360 and for general information and opening announcements call (202) 737-4215. Season tickets are available for $195.00.

Please note:
During the evening ice-skating hours, when the National Gallery is closed to the public, the surrounding Sculpture Garden is also closed. Access to the rink and Pavilion Café during these times is restricted to the Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive entrances at Ninth Street.

General Information

The National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden are at all times free to the public. They are located on the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW, and are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Gallery is closed on December 25 and January 1. For information call (202) 737-4215 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (202) 842-6176, or visit the Gallery's Web site at www.nga.gov.

Visitors will be asked to present all carried items for inspection upon entering the East and West Buildings. Checkrooms are free of charge and located at each entrance. Luggage and other oversized bags must be presented at the 4th Street entrances to the East or West Building to permit x-ray screening and must be deposited in the checkrooms at those entrances. For the safety of visitors and the works of art, nothing may be carried into the Gallery on a visitor's back. Any bag or other items that cannot be carried reasonably and safely in some other manner must be left in the checkrooms. Items larger than 17 x 26 inches cannot be accepted by the Gallery or its checkrooms.

For additional press information please call or send inquiries to:

Press Office
National Gallery of Art
2000B South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785
phone: (202) 842-6353 e-mail: pressinfo@nga.gov

Deborah Ziska
Chief of Press and Public Information
(202) 842-6353
ds-ziska@nga.gov

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