SAAM Stories

A photograph of a very colorful face mask
Contemporary Craft 03/23/2021
Standing Together Against Hate
At the Smithsonian, we condemn xenophobia, misogyny, and racial and gendered violence.
 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
Close up of Old Maid's Puzzle quilt
Exhibitions New Acquisitions 03/19/2021
The Graphic Appeal of Amish Quilts
Celebrating National Quilting Day with a gift of Amish quilts
Laura Baptiste
Head of Communications and Public Affairs
Paper cherry blossom tree
Craft Making Activities 03/18/2021
Get Crafty: Cherry Blossom Edition
Celebrate the splendor of spring with cherry blossom crafts you can make at home
An image of Gloria Kenyon.
Gloria Kenyon
Public Programs Coordinator
Close up of a man in a sombrero
Chicano Graphics Exhibitions 03/16/2021
From Recycling to Revolution: Alternative Media in Chicanx Protest Art
How Chicanx protest artists in the 1970s used discarded materials in their work
A photograph of Claudia Zapata
Claudia Zapata
Former Curatorial Assistant of Latinx Art
Close up of a woman's face
Chicano Graphics Exhibitions 03/11/2021
Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: Dolores
Barbara Carrasco's vivid portrait of Dolores Huerta honors the iconic labor activist
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
A photograph of a woman in front of artwork
From the Director 03/08/2021
Honoring Artists as Changemakers for Women’s History Month
Stephanie Stebich, the Margaret and Terry Stent Director, shares her thoughts on artworks by women in the collection.
 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
A photograph of an artwork
Contemporary Craft New Acquisitions 03/05/2021
Making the Most: In the Studio with Linda Lopez
Checking in with the artist who creates lively and unexpected sculptures from clay.
A photograph of a woman with brown hair and a dress standing inside a building.
Mary Savig
Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft
An installation photograph inside the renwick gallery.
Exhibitions Craft and Decorative Arts 03/03/2021
Lauren Fensterstock in Focus: Finding Inspiration in the End of the World
New artwork explores how weather and celestial activity have been used as metaphor
Laura Baptiste
Head of Communications and Public Affairs
An image with mountains in the background and a hand in the foreground
Programs 03/01/2021
Virtual Women Filmmakers Festival Inaugurates Women’s History Month at SAAM
Cecila Vicuña, Coco Fusco, and Miriam Ghani address climate change, social justice, and the pandemic
This is a photograph of curator Saisha Grayson
Saisha Grayson
Curator of Time-Based Media
A photograph of a woman and a man against a wall.
Luce Foundation Center Five Question Interviews 02/26/2021
Podcast Release: Music and Conversation with DC Instrumental Duo, Domingues and Kane
DC Instrumental Duo, Domingues and Kane, discusses soothing sounds and “magick” with Paul Vodra and Anthony Porecco of Hometown Sounds
Anne Wilsey
Program Specialist for the Luce Foundation Center
The text "Emma We Call BS"
Chicano Graphics Exhibitions 02/25/2021
Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: I Stand with Emma
Lalo Alcaraz’s digital poster of Emma González echoes a long tradition of activist posters dating back to political rebellions of the 1960s
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
A photograph of a house with a white fence at night.
Exhibitions New Acquisitions 02/23/2021
Dawoud Bey Photographs in Focus: Underground Railroad Sites
Dawoud Bey’s metaphorical photographs of Underground Railroad sites in Ohio turn scenes of darkness into symbols of hope
Laura Baptiste
Head of Communications and Public Affairs
An installation photograph of trees made out of glass.
Exhibitions Craft and Decorative Arts 02/18/2021
Debora Moore’s Glass Sculptures are Rooted in Nature
Sculptor Debora Moore works with glass to achieve great feats of creativity, craftsmanship, and natural wonder.
Ashley Reese
A photograph of a baby being held by a woman with a fisherman in the background
02/17/2021
The Power of Representation: Black Families in American Art
SAAM’s rich collection of art by African Americans shines during Black History Month
From SAAM
A photograph of a child making crafts at a table
Craft Making Activities 02/11/2021
Lunar New Year Craft Activities to Celebrate Year of the Ox
SAAM’s Family Zone has crafts and activities for the whole family
An image of Gloria Kenyon.
Gloria Kenyon
Public Programs Coordinator
An artwork of two people standing next to each other.
Chicano Graphics Exhibitions 02/10/2021
Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: Quiero Mis Queerce
Artist and activist Julio Salgado challenges a traditional rite of passage
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
An abstract work in red and white
02/09/2021
Skipping Valentine’s Day and Focusing on Friends
Who needs hearts and flowers when you have a group text?
Amy Fox
Social Media and Digital Content Specialist
A photograph of a very colorful face mask
Contemporary Craft New Acquisitions 02/05/2021
Making the Most: In the Studio with Julia Kwon
Julia Kwon’s interactive art projects facilitate solidarity and community
A photograph of a woman with brown hair and a dress standing inside a building.
Mary Savig
Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft