WASHINGTON--Nov. 18, 2002-- 40 finalists to have kites displayed at Smithsonian. Top 10 winners, guests to get free airfare, hotel in Washington for 4-day, 3-night event Graphic design professionals and students across North America have the opportunity to see their work hanging at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., in Spring 2003. Forty winning designs of the SMART Papers Kite Contest will be shown at the Smithsonian beginning in late March 2003. Kites do not need to be able to fly to win, but they must be graphically compelling. The contest is particularly significant for graphic design professionals and design students because it provides them with a rare opportunity to get their work exhibited in the Smithsonian, one of the world's most prestigious art and science institutions. Premium papermaker SMART Papers is the lead sponsor of the 37th Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival to be held on Washington's National Mall on March 22, 2003. The top 10 winners and one guest each will be treated to air travel and accommodations in Washington for the Smithsonian Kite Festival and Cherry Blossom Festival. The trip will take place March 20 to March 23, 2003. "For any design professional or future designer, getting your personal work in a Smithsonian exhibit would be an impressive lifetime achievement," said SMART Papers CEO Tim Needham. "We are honored to be able to team up with the Smithsonian, the world's largest museum complex representing America's treasured icons and art of the past and present." A panel of respected graphic design judges will pick 40 of the most creative designs based on a well-executed solution, innovation in aesthetics and materials and presentation. Entries must be postmarked by February 3, 2003. There are separate categories for graphic design professionals and design students. The Smithsonian's colorful Kite Festival is one of the most popular annual events held on the National Mall in Washington. It is sponsored by the Smithsonian Associates and the National Air and Space Museum. It is the first official event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place March 22-April 7. Only electronic or hard copy images of the kites are needed for the initial round of judging. All finalists will be required to present a physical kite with struts for display at the Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building. The top 10 grand prize winners -- each with one guest -- will be flown to Washington D.C. for the exhibit and the festival. Guests will stay at the luxurious Hay Adams Hotel for 4 days and 3 nights, compliments of SMART Papers. A reception will be held for the winners at the Arts and Industries Building on Thursday, March 20. There is a nonrefundable $20 entry and processing fee for design professionals; for students, the nonrefundable fee is $10. For details on contest rules and designing the kite, go to www.smartpapers.com/kite. SMART Papers is one of nation's largest privately held manufacturers of premium printing papers and works closely with the North American graphic design and printing community. The company's well-established brands include Kromekote, Carnival, Benefit, Knightkote Matte, SMART Digital, All Purpose Litho and Kromekote Litho. For more information on the company, go to www.smartpapers.com