"The Awakening" Moves to National Harbor

Business Wire, Feb 19, 2008

Historic Sculpture Begins Journey Across the Potomac

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Seward Johnson's arresting sculpture "The Awakening," which has delighted the region's residents since it was installed on a bank of the historic Potomac river, is about to move and will soon begin to delight visitors to another bank of the Potomac. On Wednesday, February 20, the sculpture will journey from Hains Point in East Potomac Park to its new home on the waterfront at National Harbor, the 300-acre shopping, residential and entertainment community coming to life just off the Wilson Bridge in Prince George's County, MD.

February 20th "The Awakening" movement approximate timeline:

* 8a.m. - the sculpture will be removed from the earth with cranes and placed on flatbed trucks to be transported to National Harbor. Media interested in covering the removal will be provided with access to restricted areas at Hains Point per National Park Service.

* 11a.m.- 12p.m - the sculpture will be transported to National Harbor where it will be loaded onto a barge and moved to the installation site.

* 1:30p.m.- 6p.m. - "The Awakening" will be installed in its new location on the shore of National Harbor. Media interested in covering the installation will be given access to restricted viewing areas on the property.

* Note: Milt Peterson, developer of National Harbor, will be available for interviews from 9:30a.m.-11p.m. at Hains Point and 2p.m.-4p.m. at National Harbor.

"The Awakening," which includes five cast aluminum elements and is more than 70 feet across, will be installed in a specifically designed beach built along the east side of the Potomac. Previously owned by the Sculpture Foundation, the sculpture was available for sale for several years due to Hains Point's designation as a site for future national memorials, according to the National Park Service. Milt Peterson of The Peterson Companies, developer of National Harbor, purchased the piece to be the centerpiece of his National Harbor community. Once installed at National Harbor, the sculpture will be covered until an official unveiling ceremony is held.

Throughout April, National Harbor will begin to 'awaken' its waterfront by unveiling "The Awakening," launching its water taxi service as well as lunch and dinner cruises, and hosting festive events. Rolling openings of retail, dining, and entertainment will subsequently continue throughout the spring, summer, and fall of 2008.

For media access to restricted areas or more information regarding the moving of "The Awakening," please contact Chris Vassil at cvassil@susandavis.com or 202-414-0779.