Smithsonian's Sackler closing In July, to reopen In October with "Buddha and Cats"

THE WASHINGTON POST
By Pat Padua

Courtesy of the Freer and Sackler Galleries

WASH., DC---If you miss the collections of Asian and Middle Eastern art at the Freer Gallery of Art, which has been closed for major renovations since January of 2016, things will get worse before they get better. The Smithsonian's Arthur M. Sackler Gallery will temporarily close on July 10 for the installation of new collection galleries. There's more to look forward to at the reopened Freer, whose new roster of special exhibits will include "Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt," originally organized by the Brooklyn Museum of Art. This exhibit will feature displays of cat coffins and representations of the cat goddess Bastet; and in the spirit of inclusiveness, there will be a few dog related pieces as well. Also opening is "Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice Across Asia," which draws on the Freer's collection of Buddhist art. [link]