SAAM Stories

A photograph of a man holding a red painting.
Simon Bull, official artist of the 2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival, leads a "Beyond the Studio" workshop at the Luce Foundation Center.
This is a photo of Jess McFadden
Jess McFadden
Program Specialist
Martha Rosler, Red Stripe Kitchen
Exhibitions 03/14/2019
Curator Melissa Ho reflects on what drew her to the subject matter for her upcoming exhibition exploring how American artists responded to the turbulence of the Vietnam War. 
A photograph of Melissa Ho by Jeff Elkins
Melissa Ho
Curator (20th-Century Art)
An evocative black and white photo of performer Jax Deluca in bowtie, hat, and tux.
Luce Unplugged interviews Jax Deluca, performing as part of the Community Showcase on March 8, 2019.
This is a photo of Jess McFadden
Jess McFadden
Program Specialist
Media - 1983.95.185 - SAAM-1983.95.185_1 - 7503
Tanner was the first internationally renowned African American painter. "Abraham’s Oak" memorializes a pilgrimage site that the artist likely visited during his travels in the 1890's.
Jeffrey Richmond-Moll
A photograph of a woman standing in front of a black sculpture.
From the Director 02/26/2019
Stephanie Stebich, SAAM's director, takes a look at upcoming events, exhibitions, and programs at the museum.
 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 painting of the word "LOVE" in red with green and blue background
Exhibitions Programs 02/14/2019
Love is in the air and in the museum. Artworks and crafts projects in honor of celebrating (or avoiding) Valentine's Day.
Libby Weiler
IT Specialist - External Affairs and Digital Strategies
a photograph of four individuals looking at a work of art in a museum.
Jill Vaum takes a close look at Thomas Waterman Woods' painting, "Sunday Morning," as part of the Art Bites series.
A woman in a black blazer smiles in front of a dusky landscape
Jill Vaum Rothschild
Luce Curatorial Fellow
An image of Foldhaus' mechanical mushrooms inside the Renwick Gallery.
Exhibitions 01/18/2019
The Renwick Gallery announced that its popular exhibition, "No Spectators: the Art of Burning Man," will travel to the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Oakland Museum of California in 2019.
A photograph of Sara Snyder
Sara Snyder
Former Head of External Affairs & Digital Strategies
Splash Image - Museum: A Tale of Art, Life and Everything In Between
12/27/2018
I'm throwing this one back five years to one of my favorite stories from one of my favorite poets that was originally posted in 2013. It comes with all good wishes from the blog for a wonderful, story-filled, Happy New Year.
A photograph of three green chroma-key dresses.
Exhibitions 12/14/2018
Movies at SAAM hosted a screening of Art 21 and a discussion between the artist, Stephanie Syjuco, the focus of the documentary, and Curator Abraham Thomas.
A photograph of a woman with short brown hair and glasses.
Ryan Linthicum
Public Programs Assistant
This is a photograph of a detail of a side profile of a brown pig's face
Conservation 12/11/2018
Paper Conservator Catherine Maynor shares her experience examining and treating Bill Traylor’s artwork.
A woman standing in front of an artwork.
Catherine Maynor
Paper Conservator
Media - 1967.59.893 - SAAM-1967.59.893_1-000001 - 2803
The Luce Foundation Center currently has 22 paintings on view by William H. Johnson (1901-1970), one of America’s foremost African American artists and a major figure in 20th century art. Luce visitors may notice that Johnson’s paintings appear to be done in two very different styles. These two styles can be separated into time periods, 1926-1938 and 1939-1945.
A photograph of a woman with blonde hair and glasses.
Karen Canova
Luce Foundation Center Volunteer
A detailed photograph of wood carved skulls on a wall.
Disrupting Craft: Renwick Invitational 2018 opens Friday, November 9, and might be just what you need this week.
Libby Weiler
IT Specialist - External Affairs and Digital Strategies
A silhouette of a man in blue with a pipe and hat.
Exhibitions 11/06/2018
Curator Leslie Umberger details the importance of Traylor as one of America's most important artists.
A photograph of a woman standing in front of artwork.
Leslie Umberger
Curator (Folk and Self-Taught Art)
Media - 1984.31.25 - SAAM-1984.31.25_1 - 82175
11/05/2018
Movies at SAAM presents an inside look at Hollywood film scores.
A photograph of a woman with short brown hair and glasses.
Ryan Linthicum
Public Programs Assistant
Black dog in profile against red background
Exhibitions 10/30/2018
An interview with SAAM curator, Leslie Umberger, on the life and art of Bill Traylor.
A photograph of a woman standing in front of artwork.
Leslie Umberger
Curator (Folk and Self-Taught Art)
A photograph of a man with a VIVE headset on while playing a virtual reality game at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Technology 10/25/2018
Noah Kim, Media & Technology intern for summer 2018, describes his experiences helping with the virtual reality project, "Beyond the Walls."
Noah Kim
Visiting Fellow Susana Rodriguez discusses Nocturne (Horizon Line)
Susana Rodriguez, a Visiting Student at SAAM and NPG, discusses Teresita Fernández's work, Nocturnal, (Horizon Line), 2010.
Susana "Xuxa" Rodríguez