CDC Foundation, Georgia-Pacific Professional Debut Handwashing Exhibition at David J. Sencer Museum
ATLANTA – In honor of Museum Day, an annual event hosted by Smithsonian Media, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum in Atlanta opens its doors on a Saturday once each year. This year the Saturday opening coincides with the debut of an innovative handwashing art exhibition, made possible by a generous grant from Georgia-Pacific Professional to the CDC Foundation. Watching Hands: Artists Respond to Keeping Well opens Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, and will showcase the work of six artists who interpret the act of handwashing in unique and unexpected ways.
The exhibition will stretch the boundaries of current public health campaigns by illustrating the connection between handwashing and hygiene through a variety of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, graphic design, video projection and vinyl installation. The exhibition, which coincides with the kickoff of National Clean Hands Week (Sept. 19-25), will feature all new works, ranging from humorous to spiritual themes, by the following six nationally known artists: John Bankston, Didi Dunphy, Joe Peragine, Katherine L. Ross, Laura Splan, and James Victore.
“Recent infection prevention campaigns have pinpointed handwashing as the most effective way to prevent the spread of disease,” said Louise E. Shaw, curator of the David J. Sencer CDC Museum. “This exhibition offers an artistic perspective of such an important public health issue.”
“Georgia-Pacific Professional is committed to helping consumers stay healthy by promoting proper handwashing practices,” said Scott Light, president – Georgia-Pacific Professional Washroom and Wiper Solutions and Communication Papers. “With the support of the CDC Foundation, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum and the Watching Hands artists, we are thrilled for the opportunity to demonstrate this commitment through such a unique exhibition.”
Museum Day 2011 is poised to be the largest to date, exceeding last year’s record-breaking attendance. In 2010, more than 227,747 tickets were downloaded, resulting in more than 500,000 museum-goers visiting over 1,300 venues in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. To learn more about Museum Day 2011, please visit http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday.
Watching Hands: Artists Respond to Keeping Well is curated by Louise E. Shaw, David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and will be on display through Jan. 13, 2012.
ABOUT THE DAVID J. SENCER CDC MUSEUM
Formerly named the Global Heath Odyssey Museum, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, features an award-winning lineup of permanent and changing exhibitions designed to educate visitors about CDC, public health, and the benefits of disease prevention. The museum also offers high-impact educational programs for students and teachers, collects and preserves CDC’s history, and provides access to CDC’s history collection for scholars and researchers. The museum is free and open to the public. Learn more at www.cdc.gov/museum.
ABOUT THE CDC FOUNDATION
Established by Congress as an independent, nonprofit organization, the CDC Foundation connects CDC with outside organizations and individuals to build public health programs that make our world healthier and safer. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has provided $300 million to support CDC's work, launched more than 500 programs around the world and built a network of individuals and organizations committed to supporting CDC and public health. Learn more at www.cdcfoundation.org.
ABOUT GEORGIA-PACIFIC PROFESSIONAL
Georgia-Pacific Professional is a provider of hygienic dispensing systems, towels, tissues, soaps, air fresheners, wipers, cups, cutlery, plates and napkins. Two business groups operate under the Georgia-Pacific Professional business. The Washroom and Wiper Solutions group provides a wide range of products to market segments including office buildings, education, healthcare and manufacturing facilities. The Food Services Solutions group focuses on such segments as restaurants, coffee shops, convenience stores and lodging facilities. Georgia-Pacific Professional’s business features well-known product brands including enMotion®, Compact®, Dixie®, EasyNap®, SmartStock®, Brawny Industrial™ and SofPull™. For more information about Georgia-Pacific Professional, please call 1-866-HELLO GP (435-5647) or visit us at www.gppro.com.
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