WASHINGTON.- The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden announces the appointment of Gabriel Riera as director of communications and marketing within the museum’s division of external affairs. Riera, former communications manager for the Miami Art Museum will join the staff on Jan. 8, 2007.

“Gabriel Riera brings a combination of experiences with contemporary art, museums and cultural tourism that will serve the Hirshhorn well as we continue to seek new audiences and make the best in international contemporary art approachable for the visitors we welcome in our nation’s capital,” said Beth Tuttle, director of external affairs.

Riera joins the Hirshhorn Museum after three years at the Miami Art Museum. His experience includes media relations, marketing, publications, website development and special events. During his tenure at the Miami Art Museum, Riera organized a successful media and marketing campaign for a survey exhibition, organized by the Hirshhorn, on Cuban American artist Ana Mendieta, which drew critical acclaim from the media and Miami community. Prior to joining the Miami Art Museum, Riera was the media relations manager for the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he focused on developing Latin American and Spanish tourism. He has also worked with Walt Disney Attractions in media relations, specializing in Latin American markets. He holds a bachelors degree in English with a creative writing concentration from University of California, Los Angeles.

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the Smithsonian’s museum of international modern and contemporary art, has some 11,500 paintings, sculptures, mixed media installations and works on paper in its collection. The Hirshhorn maintains an active and diverse exhibition program and offers an array of free public programs that explore the art of our time. The museum, located at Independence Avenue and Seventh Street S.W., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ( closed Dec. 25 ), and admission is free.