ASHEVILLE, NC.- On Saturday, September 26, 2009, the Asheville Art Museum will participate in the fifth annual Museum Day presented by Smithsonian magazine.

Museum Day is a day when museums and cultural institutions nationwide open their doors free of charge to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors. A celebration of culture, learning and the dissemination of knowledge, Smithsonian’s Museum Day reflects the spirit of the magazine and emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based properties.

The Asheville Art Museum, celebrating its 60th anniversary, annually presents an exciting, inviting and active schedule of exhibitions and public programs based on its permanent collection of 20th and 21st century American art. Any visit will also include experiences with works of significance to Western North Carolina’s cultural heritage including Studio Craft, Black Mountain College and Cherokee artists. A must-see for individuals of all ages, the Asheville Art Museum has been called “a gem of a museum.”

The exciting and dynamic exhibitions Ruth Asawa: Drawing in Space, Looking Back: Celebrating 60 Years of Collecting at the Asheville Art Museum, Looking Forward: New Work and New Directions for the Permanent Collection and Cherokee Carvers: Tradition Renewed will be on view during Museum Day 2009.

Last year upwards of 100,000 people attended Museum Day. All 50 states plus Puerto Rico were represented by 651 participating museums.

Attendees must present Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry to participating institutions. The Museum Day Admission Card will be available in the September 2009 issue of Smithsonian magazine. The general public is welcome to participate by going to the Smithsonian.com Web site and downloading the Museum Day Admission Card.