Washington, DC

Tomorrow, December 7, 2008, Monday, December 8, 2008, and Tuesday, December 9, 2008 new exhibits open at Smithsonian museums. The first opens tomorrow at the Anacostia Community Museum. The new exhibit is called “Jubilee: African American Celebrations.” This exhibit focuses on the history, music, and folklore related to African American holidays and celebrations. The exhibit looks at the history of African American celebrations from the 18th century through to present day. This exhibit is expected to remain on display until September 20, 2009.

The second exhibit opens on Monday at the National Museum of Natural History. This exhibit is called “Coastal America Ocean Art Contest.” This exhibit shows the winners in seven Essential Principles of Ocean Literacy categories. The contest was open to kindergarteners through college students in the United States and Mexico. It is expected to remain open until March 29, 2009.

The third exhibit opens on Tuesday at the National Museum of Natural History. The exhibit is called “Cases: The Art of African Exploration.” The exhibit is described by the Smithsonian website as “African exploration enthralled the public in 19th-century Europe and America. But, unlike scientists today, who are armed with digital cameras to discover and record new species, early explorations before photography included an artist to create a visual record of the journey. In these cases are books, periodicals, sketchbooks, and journals featuring artists’s vivid illustrations of the astonishing landscapes, exotic animals, and unfamiliar peoples of 19th-century Africa. Highlights include the cover of Henry Morgan Stanley’s In Darkest Africa, on-the-spot sketch of the Victoria Falls by Thomas Baines, John Cary’s New Universal Atlas, drawing instruments by Griswald, and book by Samuel Daniell of African scenery and animals.” This exhibit is expected to remain open until August 2009.