SAAM Stories

Media - 1949.10.2 - SAAM-1949.10.2_1 - 1143
Research and Scholarship 10/18/2018
Art Bites: Gold Mining, Cripple Creek
The author looks at Ernest Lawson's painting, "Gold Mining, Cripple Creek," with the environment in mind.
Michaela Rife
Matthew Fields at the Lunder Foundation Center in front of the diorama Reconstruction After the War
Conservation 10/11/2018
Conservation: A Tale of Two Summers
CIBA intern Matthew Fields describes his work conserving a diorama from 1940.
Matthew Fields
An image of kokedama, a ball of soil, covered in moss, on which an ornamental plant grows
Luce Foundation Center 10/04/2018
Beyond the Studio with Lily Cox
A Luce Foundation interview with Lily Cox about her upcoming Beyond the Studio workshop where she'll be demonstrating the art of kokedama
This is a photo of Jess McFadden
Jess McFadden
Program Specialist
Figure of man wearing hat and holding pipe in hand with arms raised.
Exhibitions Behind-the-Scenes 09/28/2018
Between Worlds: The Art of Bill Traylor opens today

Bill Traylor (ca. 1853–1949) is among the most important American artists of the twentieth century.

A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A photograph of Pepper the Smithsonian Robot inside the Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Behind-the-Scenes Technology 09/21/2018
More Pepper, Please!
Scanning... Scanning... Pepper the robot has a few surprising special skills to share at Technology Family Day.
Libby Weiler
IT Specialist - External Affairs and Digital Strategies
This is a photograph of a diorama with a house and man playing guitar outside with his family.
Conservation 09/18/2018
Through the Eye of the Needle: Treating a 1940 Diorama
CIBA conservator Tamara Dissi talks about her work conserving a diorama from 1940.
Laura Hoffman
Lunder Conservation Center Program Manager
Musician Rob Stokes
Luce Foundation Center 09/12/2018
Luce Unplugged: FIVE QUESTIONS FOR Rob Stokes
Luce interview with musician Rob Stokes on his art and inspiration.
This is a photo of Jess McFadden
Jess McFadden
Program Specialist
Media - 1986.65.174 - SAAM-1986.65.174_1 - 83090
Education 09/06/2018
Back to School with SAAM
While many of us are planning one last beach getaway, teachers and students in several places around the country have already headed back to the classroom. You might be surprised, however, to hear some of the ways artworks in SAAM’s collection will be showing up with them!
A photograph of Phoebe Hillemann
Phoebe Hillemann
Teacher Institutes Educator
The sculpture piece, Shrumen Lumen, at Burning Man at night lit up.
Exhibitions From the Director 08/31/2018
From the Director: Burning Man Road Trip
SAAM director Stephanie Stebich recounts some of her experiences at Burning Man, 2017.
 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
Media - 1982.39 - SAAM-1982.39_1 - 6858
08/16/2018
A Woman Deserving our Attention and RESPECT
In honor of the Queen of Soul, the iconic singer and songwriter, Aretha Franklin.
Amy Fox
Social Media and Digital Content Specialist
Media - 1980.71 - SAAM-1980.71_3 - 133487
08/14/2018
The Face of the Madonna and the Eyes of a Child: On Sargent's "Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler"
Taking another look at John Singer Sargent’s portrait of Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler.
A photograph of Angelica Hankins
Angelica Hankins
Former Public Affairs Specialist
Media - 1978.65.4 - SAAM-1978.65.4_1 - 47246
08/07/2018
Road Trip: Painted Deserts
August is for staff Artful Road Trips. Libby shares her journey to Arches National Park, Utah.
Libby Weiler
IT Specialist - External Affairs and Digital Strategies
Concert photo of OG Lullabies who will be performing at Luce Unplugged
Luce Foundation Center 08/01/2018
Luce Unplugged: Five questions for OG Lullabies

On Thursday, August 2nd, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, the Luce Foundation Center hosts another installment of Luce Unplugged. Thursday shows, presented with D.C. Music Download, are a tribute to a Luce Center artwork selected by the performer.

This is a photo of Jess McFadden
Jess McFadden
Program Specialist
A picture with the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Conservator of Media Arts.
Conservation 07/26/2018
Conservation in the Digital Age
Media Conservator Dan Finn addresses the challenges of conserving Jenny’s Holzer’s sculpture For SAAM, a 29-foot column that projects animated phrases onto the cylinder using LED lights.
Miyah Powe
MTO Intern
Electronic Superhighway by Nam June Paik with Amber Kerr
Behind-the-Scenes 07/20/2018
You Are Invited: "Happy Birthday, Nam June Paik"
Curator of New Media, Saisha Grayson, introduces artist Saya Woolfalk who will speak at the Nam June Paik birthday event, July 22, 2018.
This is a photograph of curator Saisha Grayson
Saisha Grayson
Curator of Time-Based Media
Media - 1986.6.92 - SAAM-1986.6.92_3 - 135150
07/20/2018
Revisiting Edward Hopper's "Cape Cod Morning"
A closer look at Edward Hopper's iconic painting, Cape Cod morning, in honor of the artist's birthday on July 22.
A photograph of Angelica Hankins
Angelica Hankins
Former Public Affairs Specialist
The band ParkSnakes, appearing at Luce Foundation Center.
Luce Foundation Center 07/19/2018
Luce Unplugged: ParkSnakes
An interview with ParkSnakes in anticipation of their performance at the Luce Center on July 20, 2018.
This is a photo of Jess McFadden
Jess McFadden
Program Specialist
Playing video games at SAAM Arcade.
SAAM Arcade 07/17/2018
SAAM Arcade: Game Spaces

What does “Game Spaces” mean to me?

This is an image of Lauren Kolodkin.
Lauren Kolodkin
External Affairs and Digital Strategies Assistant