National Portrait Gallery is coming back!!

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery is coming back in a big way!

After an extensive renovation and a 6-year closure, the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery will open its doors to the public on July 1. One of the most anticipated exhibitions is the Portrait Gallery's first national portrait competition, the "Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition," which will feature the work of 51 finalists who were selected from more than 4,000 entries submitted by artists from across the country.

The seven artists who have been selected for the shortlist are: Brett Bigbee, New York; Nuno de Campos, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Jenny Dubnau, Jackson Heights, N.Y.; Justin Hayward, Bountiful, Utah; David Lenz, Shorewood, Wis.; Yuqi Wang, Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Alan Caomin Xie, Atlanta.

Each artist will be awarded a cash prize; including one $25,000 first prize and a commission from the Portrait Gallery to create a portrait of a prominent living American for the Gallery's permanent collection..

Finalists for the competition were chosen in early March and the first prize winner will be announced at the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition Award Dinner on June 23. This exhibition will be open to the public from July 1 through Feb. 18, 2007.