SAAM Stories

An artwork of a figure holding grapes.
Chicano Graphics Exhibitions 01/25/2021
Chicano Graphic Arts and the Making of the Landmark Exhibition ¡Printing the Revolution!
Exploring the origins of the exhibition that combines innovative printmaking practices with social justice
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.
01/21/2021
Inauguration Highlights Rainbow Painting by African American Artist
Curator Eleanor Harvey shares the story of Robert S. Duncanson and his artwork
A photograph of Eleanor Harvey
Eleanor Jones Harvey
Senior Curator (19th-Century Art)
A photograph of a face mask
Contemporary Craft Craft and Decorative Arts 01/15/2021
Sharing Native American History through Art and Craft
Anya Montiel on her work as Curator of American and Native American Women’s Art and Craft
Sara Cohen
A photograph of people looking at art in the galleries with masks on.
12/30/2020
Museum: A Tale of Art, Life, and Everything In Between
A poet's trip to a museum is eye-opening in unexpected ways
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Three people looking up at an art installation inside the Renwick Gallery.
12/22/2020
Looking for Light in American Art
View artworks from the collection that illuminate our world
From SAAM
An artwork with candy.
12/16/2020
Top Ten Favorite Holiday Movies as Seen in American Art
What is cozier than watching old holiday movies on a chilly winter’s night? Pairing them up with favorite artworks, that’s what.
A photograph of Sara Snyder
Sara Snyder
Former Head of External Affairs & Digital Strategies
A photograph of a handmade wreath.
Craft Making Activities 12/09/2020
Getting Crafty: Make a Holiday Yarn Wreath
Make an upcycled DIY wreath with just a few simple materials
An image of Gloria Kenyon.
Gloria Kenyon
Public Programs Coordinator
A photograph of a man's profile.
Luce Foundation Center Five Question Interviews 12/02/2020
Podcast Release: Luce Listening Party with Terracotta Blue
Electronic musician, Terracotta Blue talks inspiration and collaboration with Paul Vodra and Anthony Porecco of Hometown Sounds.
Anne Wilsey
Program Specialist for the Luce Foundation Center
An installation inside an art museum
Exhibitions Craft and Decorative Arts 12/02/2020
From Indigo Farm to Art Gallery with Artist Rowland Ricketts
The work of fiber artist Roland Ricketts, featured in the Renwick Invitational, begins on his farm in Indiana
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
An image of an artwork with different vignettes of photographs.
12/01/2020
World AIDS Day
A blog post to commemorate World AIDS Day, December 1, reflecting on an artwork in our collection.
This is a photograph of curator Saisha Grayson
Saisha Grayson
Curator of Time-Based Media
A photograph of a woman wearing a face mask.
Contemporary Craft New Acquisitions 11/22/2020
Pandemic Face Masks by Native Women Artists
Adding functional and artistic masks to SAAM’s collection during COVID-19 projects artists’ messages of strength, resilience, and hope.
A photograph of a woman holding a large basket in museum collection storage.
Anya Montiel
Curator of American and Native American Women’s Art and Craft
A photograph of the facade of the Smithsonian American Art Museum at night with blue lights honoring healthcare workers.
From the Director 11/22/2020
Time to Hibernate
SAAM's director, Stephanie Stebich, talks about closing the museum due to Covid 19 and the online offering we continue to produce during this time.
 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 drawing of over ten cakes lined up in a store front.
11/15/2020
Happy Birthday Wayne Thiebaud!
Reflecting on the artist’s “light and color and joy and humor,” and his nudge to look closer and think harder about the world that surrounds us
This is a photograph of Virginia Mecklenburg in front of an Edward Hopper painting.
Virginia Mecklenburg
Senior Curator
A photograph of a man in a hat with a mustache
Chicano Graphics Exhibitions 11/13/2020
¡Printing the Revolution! at SAAM Celebrates Chicanx Voices
The groundbreaking exhibition explores how Chicanx artists have linked innovative printmaking practices with social justice
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
A photograph of three people standing next to each other.
Luce Foundation Center Five Question Interviews 11/06/2020
Luce Listening Party: Lotion Princess
Sasha Snoad shares thoughts on making music and creative life in DC in a conversation hosted by Paul Vodra of Hometown Sounds.
Anne Wilsey
Program Specialist for the Luce Foundation Center
A painting of a cake
11/05/2020
Cake It Easy: Celebrating Wayne Thiebaud’s 100th Birthday
We knead your help celebrating this iconic American artist’s centenary!
SAAM Staff
A painting of three men shaking hands
Conservation 11/02/2020
Unpacking and Preserving William H. Johnson’s Fighters for Freedom Series
Explore William H. Johnson’s powerful “Fighters for Freedom” series through the lens of a conservator.
Keara Teeter
A photograph of a gallery with headphones on colorful benches
New Acquisitions 10/29/2020
New Sounds at SAAM 
Christine Sun Kim Acquisition adds Sound Art to SAAM’s Collection
This is a photograph of curator Saisha Grayson
Saisha Grayson
Curator of Time-Based Media