For Release:      February 23, 2007
Contact:           Susan Burgess, Special Events Coordinator 202-245-4565

U.S. National Arboretum and the
Japan Information & Culture Center of the Embassy of Japan
to Co-Sponsor first North American Exhibit of
The Botanical Art of Yoshitsugu Koyanagi

March 4 though May 31, 2007.
Artist to attend exhibit opening and public reception on March 4.

[Washington, DC] The U.S. National Arboretum and the Japan Information & Culture Center of the Embassy of Japan will present the first North American exhibit of The Botanical Art of Yoshitsugu Koyanagi from March 4 through May 31. The exhibit, open daily from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm in the U.S. National Arboretum’s Administration Building, will also be included in the National Cherry Blossom Festival official calendar of events.

Mr. Koyanagi, a botanical artist from Japan, is known for his Sumi-e (brush painting), watercolors, oil paintings, and drawings. His work has been significantly influenced by the 16th century German artist Albrecht Durer and his philosophy that “art is found in nature.” Flowering cherries will be featured among the broad sampling of his botanical creations.

Mr. Koyanagi received an appointment as a research artist from the Japan Agency of Cultural Affairs and was selected as one of the youngest committee members of the Japanese Oil Painters’ Association. An author as well as an artist, Mr. Koyanagi has published five textbooks and his work and articles have appeared in botanical art books and magazines. Japan’s National Public television station, NHK, featured his work in an instructional art series on botanical illustration. He has received numerous awards for his work and participated in many of Japan’s prestigious art exhibitions. Mr. Koyanagi is currently a Botanical Art Instructor for NHK Cultural Center, the Asahi Cultural Center, and the Showa Girls University Open College.

The National Arboretum will host an opening reception on Sunday, March 4, at 2:00 pm, during which the public is invited to meet Mr. Koyanagi. For more information on the exhibit, visit the National Arboretum's web site at www.usna.usda.gov, or call the National Arboretum at 202-245-4548.

The National Arboretum was established by an Act of Congress in 1927 and is located in Northeast Washington, D.C. The Arboretum is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. Its mission is to serve the public need for scientific research, education, and gardens that conserve and showcase plants to enhance the environment.

Click here for images from the exhibit.