SAAM Stories

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
An installation photograph of an artwork of faces in a rainbow tone
Chicano Graphics Exhibitions 02/03/2021
The Changing Nature of Chicano Graphic Arts from 1965 to Today
Exploring how Chicanx artists continue to use graphic arts as a response to issues of the time
A photograph of Carmen Ramos by Ross Whitaker
E. Carmen Ramos
Former Curator of Latinx Art
A photograph of Claudia Zapata
Claudia Zapata
Former Curatorial Assistant of Latinx Art
A painting of a landscape with a rainbow.
From the Director 02/01/2021
Celebrating Black History Month, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert Duncanson
Stephanie Stebich, the Margaret and Terry Stent Director, shares her thoughts about Black History Month, Martin Luther King, Jr. and hope for American democracy.
 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 four people standing next to each other.
Luce Foundation Center Five Question Interviews 01/29/2021
Podcast Release: Music and Conversation with DC Dream Pop Band, Lavender
DC dream pop band, Lavender, discusses writing songs and building friendships with DC's own Hometown Sounds
Anne Wilsey
Program Specialist for the Luce Foundation Center
A photograph of a woman sitting in a studio.
01/28/2021
Joan Jonas and the Inner Worlds of Video
The iconic artist's work explores the relation between cameras, screens, media stereotypes and contemporary identity.
This is a photograph of curator Saisha Grayson
Saisha Grayson
Curator of Time-Based Media
Two artworks of a skeleton resembling the raison box woman.
Chicano Graphics Exhibitions 01/27/2021
Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: From Sun Mad to Sun Raid
A closer look at two iconic artworks featured in “¡Printing the Revolution!”
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist