WASHINGTON, D.C.- "Party Animals is a terrific arts project designed to celebrate the talent and creativity of Washington-area artists, as well as our nation’s democracy," said Mrs. Bush. "I encourage D.C. residents and visitors alike to take the time to see these unique sculptures."

The event, held at Freedom Plaza, marked the debut of the whimsical sculptures designed by 200 artists chosen by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Party Animals is the largest local art exhibit in District of Columbia history.

"The extraordinary support of the business and foundation community has made this project possible," said Mayor Anthony A. Williams. "The Party Animals project puts our nation’s capital on par with New York, Chicago and London as great cities that have hosted this type of world-class public art showcase."

Each of the Party Animals bears a distinctive design and over the next few weeks will be placed at strategic locations throughout Washington, D.C. This will include areas of the city that tourists typically visit and neighborhoods and communities where local citizens live and play.

One set of Party Animals was designed by at-risk children who are part of a program developed by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives.

Another pair entitled Stars-The Carousel Donkey and Stripes-The Carousel Elephant was designed by the five-person Bloch family as homage to the dwindling numbers of carousel animals remaining in the U.S. "It was a marvelous opportunity for my family to become involved in this wonderful public art project," said Byron Bloch.

A Party Animals guide map details the locations of the sculptures around the city and will be available at Metro stations starting in May.

Each of the artists was given a $1000 grant and $200 for supplies to create the sculptures. The commission received Party Animal designs from about 700 applicants from all over the world. More than half of the 200 artists selected by the commission are from the D.C. area.

Corporate sponsors provided funds and in-kind contributions and had the choice to fund either a donkey or elephant, or one of each. "The Renaissance Washington D.C. Hotel is thrilled to be a Party Animals sponsor," said Brad Edwards, General Manager of the Renaissance Washington D.C. Hotel. "This project is a creative and fun way to bring more tourists into our city to enjoy the many attractions D.C. has to offer."

Top sponsors include: Clark Construction, Comcast Television, Douglas Development Corporation, Fannie Mae Foundation, Fleishman-Hillard, Hecht’s, The Renaissance Washington D.C. Hotel, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, U.S. Airways, Washington D.C. Convention & Tourism Corporation, The Washington Post, Washingtonpost.com and The Washington Times. For a complete list of sponsors, go to www.partyanimalsdc.org.

The Party Animals exhibition will conclude with each sculpture being sold at a public auction this fall. The proceeds will be used by the D.C. Arts Commission for its grants program and art education.

D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities is the official cultural agency of the District of Columbia Government. Its mission is to ensure that the arts flourish in our nation’s capital, while enriching the lives of its residents and visitors.