SAAM Stories

A detail of a sculpture of fiberglass fists painted gold
10/22/2021
What Happens When an Artist Meets an Olympian?
Evoking Tommie Smith's legacy through a work of monumental sculpture
Photo of Sarah Newman by John DeWolf.
Sarah Newman
James Dicke Curator of Contemporary Art
A woman in a blue mask standing in front of plants.
From the Director 10/22/2021
Representation and the Many-Layered Stories of American Art
Stephanie Stebich, the Margaret and Terry Stent Director, talks about how a variety of voices are represented in SAAM’s collections, galleries, and programming to reflect the complexity of American stories.
 Stephanie Stebich, Former Margaret and Terry Stent Direction in the museum's Lincoln Gallery. Photo by Gene Young. 
Stephanie Stebich
Former Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum
collection of neon lights with stuffed animals and computer parts bundled together
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions 10/19/2021
Contemporary Glass Art Exhibition Brings Fresh Global Perspectives to the Renwick Gallery
New Glass Now showcases artists challenging the status quo, offering new perspectives, and experimenting with what the medium of glass can do!
Ashley Reese
Detail from a painting. Orange and blue organic shapes on a dark blue background.
Exhibitions 10/15/2021
When Kusama Met Cornell
On the surprising friendship between artists Yayoi Kusama and Joseph Cornell
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
An illustration of a woman standing in front of a wall of colorful, abstract art.
Women Artists 10/06/2021
Drawn to Carmen Herrera
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Detail of painting of woman with dark hair holding a blue object
Exhibitions 10/05/2021
American Artists and the Magic of Venice
An interview with the curator of Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass: American Artists and the Magic of Murano
A photograph of Anne Showalter in front of Superhighway.
Anne Showalter
Digital Interpretation Specialist
A photograph of Alex Man by Libby Weiler.
Alex Mann
Former Curator (Prints and Drawings)
An illustration of a young woman with dark hair weaving holding a shuttle in her hand and is sitting a loom, weaving.
Women Artists 09/29/2021
Drawn to Kay Sekimachi
Celebrating Kay Sekimachi’s 95th birthday with a comic about her life and work
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A detail of a painting outside of a house. Through the window, a woman is putting a blanket on a bed..
Chicano Graphics From the Collection 09/24/2021
Exploring Latinx Stories in American Art
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a look into the diversity and depth of SAAM’s Latinx collection
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
Eemcee Night Train 357 poses with his WAMMIE trophy in front of a gold curtain.
Luce Foundation Center Five Question Interviews 09/23/2021
Music and Conversation with Night Train 357
Night Train 357 describes the importance of organization in a creative life and teases his new independent martial arts film.
Anne Wilsey
Program Specialist for the Luce Foundation Center
A detail of a comic book cover showing a young African American girl with a paintbrush in her hand
Women Artists 09/21/2021
Happy Birthday, Alma Thomas
Celebrating what would have been artist Alma Thomas’s 130th birthday with a comic about her life and work
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A black and white photograph of three women looking in the near distance with shocked looks on their faces
From the Collection 09/08/2021
The Art of Remembering 9/11
Artworks in SAAM’s collection and the stories they tell us about 9/11
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
An African American girl wearing a rose-colored hijab stands, smiling, in front of a stone and brick rowhome.
Education 09/02/2021
Centering Black Youth Voices in Baltimore
SAAM educator Elizabeth Dale-Deines talks with Karim R. Amin about the outcomes of creating a youth-focused photography program
Elizabeth Dale-Deines
An African American girl wearing a black hijab looks directly at the camera, smiling. In front of her is a fence painted to resenble piano keys. Her fingers rest atop the fence.
Exhibitions Behind-the-Scenes 08/31/2021
Creating Authentic Community Collaboration
One SAAM educator explores creating a meaningful partnership with a community-based organization to achieve something neither could have done alone.
Elizabeth Dale-Deines
Two visitors wearing cloth masks stand in front of the "Electronic Superhighway" installation. One is pointing at the artwork.
From the Collection 08/27/2021
Connecting with Nam June Paik’s Electronic Superhighway
Reflecting on Paik's innovative installation with a new installment of the video series American Art Moments
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Rachel Kline, of the band Flowerbomb, plays a guitar on a stage
Luce Foundation Center Five Question Interviews 08/26/2021
Podcast Release: Music and Conversation with WAMMIE Award Winner, Flowerbomb
Rachel Kline and Dan Abh of Flowerbomb discuss the release of their WAMMIE award-winning album, Pretty Dark.
A Still-Life of yellow and green sunflowers on a gray background
From the Collection Conservation 08/25/2021
Making William H. Johnson’s Sunflowers Bloom Again
SAAM's conservation fellow explores the extra challenges of treating an iconic artwork during the pandemic
Saki Kunikata
A close up of a cyanotype photogram showing white outlines of blossoms on a dark blue background
Craft Making Activities 08/19/2021
Throwback Thursday: Make a Sun Print
Soak up the summer sun with a photography-inspired craft you can do at home
An image of Gloria Kenyon.
Gloria Kenyon
Public Programs Coordinator
Image of two women looking at tv screen conducting a distance learning class
Behind-the-Scenes Education 08/18/2021
Across the Nation and Around the Globe: Learning with American Art
Hear from SAAM’s education team about leading during the pandemic as teachers transitioned to online teaching
Carol Wilson