The American Center is scheduled to open in fall 2001. Housed on12 acres, the American Center will include an 80,000-sf mainpavilion; more than 13,000 square feet of exhibition galleries; 3.5acres of decorative and edible gardens; a 500-seat outdoor concertterrace; a dining room and a gift shop. The facilities willshowcase interactive exhibitions and produce an public educationprograms for all ages, including films, music, garden programs,seminars, lectures, culinary demonstrations, wine tastings andworkshops.

The American Center will recognize the gift from Dawson andKatzner in the building's Presentation Kitchen andArtists-in-Residence Guest House. The Center's staff and guestchefs will use the full-service Presentation Kitchen to preparedishes that incorporate and highlight the many influences andcuisines found in American cooking.

Dawson and Katzer have chosen to name the Center's Guest House,which will house visiting chefs, in honor of a group of winemakersin Walla Walla, Washington who contributed substantially toPortland's wine community. The group operates Canoe Ridge Vineyard,Dunham Cellars, Leonetti Cellar, Glen Fiona Winery, L'Ecole No 41,Walla Walla Vintners and Woodward Canyon Winery.