Eye Level Blog

Standing Together

Kayleigh Bryant-Greenwell — Wed, 27 May 2020 10:03:06 -0400

A Conversation about American Art and Anti-Asian Sentiment in the Age of COVID-19

Hey Mom, I Made You This Card

Amy Fox — Fri, 08 May 2020 11:03:34 -0400

Still looking for the right card? SAAM celebrates all mother figures with artworks from our collection.

Mother's Day Crafting

Gloria Kenyon — Fri, 08 May 2020 06:41:52 -0400

Mom always thought you were a little crafty. Surprise her with a hand-made flower...or two.

Take Me to Church: A Road Trip In Honor of Painter Frederic Edwin Church

Katie Hondorf — Mon, 04 May 2020 09:04:24 -0400

Looking back at a remembered road trip to Frederic Church's house, Olana, in celebration of the artist's 194th birthday and the exhibition, Alexander von Humboldt and the United States: Art, Nature, and Culture

A Sonnet for the Tiger King

Sara Snyder — Fri, 01 May 2020 10:58:33 -0400

Think of this as a mash up between the eloquent Patrick Stewart who is reading Shakespeare sonnet's online and the over-the-top Tiger King, the Netflix documentary that has become the talk of Zoom happy hours everywhere. Cheers!

Mysteries of the First Mastodon

Ariel O'Connor — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 09:50:26 -0400

Conservator Ariel O'Connor unearths the mysteries behind Charles Willson Peale’s mastodon.

Chiura Obata: Artist Interrupted

Katie Hondorf — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 16:51:28 -0400

In our time of social distancing, Obata's handwritten notes have us thinking about how we communicate with one another, and how important a simple note can be.

Hips Don't Lie: The American Incognitum

Libby Weiler — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:31:46 -0400

What's a mastodon doing at SAAM? Dr. Advait Mahesh Jukar, a Deep Time Fellow and Paleontologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, answers our questions.

Designing for Humboldt: Five Questions with Karen Siatras

Katie Hondorf — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:13:41 -0400

How a graphic designer at SAAM was inspired to incorporate Humboldt's ideas about nature into the exhibition catalogue

A Brush with Nature: Alexander von Humboldt and Frederic Church

Katie Hondorf — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 21:17:58 -0400

Humboldt's ideas on art, nature, and philosophy helped to shape American artists, including the influential Hudson River school painters

Stemming the Tide: A Call to Climate Action for Cultural Heritage

Amber Kerr — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 09:33:17 -0400

Looking at climate change and cultural heritage worldwide as we honor the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

Flower Exploration and Natural Dye Lab

Gloria Kenyon — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 10:30:59 -0400

Bring nature indoors in this easy-to-do craft inspired by explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt

Make your own Sun Print and Explore an Early Form of Photography

Gloria Kenyon — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 15:14:53 -0400

Did you know that you can create your own work of art with just construction paper and sunlight? You can with a sun print.

SAAM’s Best Friends: Animals in Art and at Home

Amy Fox — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 10:11:24 -0400

Because at SAAM everything eventually comes back to American art, some of us have been inspired to model our sweet, sassy, bored, annoyed, sleepy, amusing pets after favorite artworks in our collection. We offer them as amusement and inspiration, and as evidence of the creativity and sense of humor we appreciate in each other.

We’ve Got Your Back...Pack

Howard Kaplan — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 09:23:37 -0400

How SAAM is helping students stay creative when they can’t visit the museum

The Art of the Teleconference

Sara Snyder — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 09:25:40 -0400

Transform your Zoom virtual background or computer desktop into a work of art

Museum from Home: Crafting Edition

Gloria Kenyon — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:32:29 -0400

Instructions for an easy cherry blossom craft to make at home

The Art of Difficult Times

Stephanie Stebich — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 10:41:56 -0400

Director Stephanie Stebich reflects on connecting online with art, and with one another, during challenging times.

The Writing on the Wall

Juline Chevalier — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 15:42:58 -0400

Why Hearts of Our People exhibition labels have been translated into dozens of Native languages

Shelter from the Storm: the Aftermath of Hurricane Maria

Laura Hoffman — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 11:09:06 -0500

SAAM conservators help to preserve cultural heritage when natural disaster strikes.

Creating Sparks: Five Questions with Lizzie Borden

Saisha Grayson — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 11:09:51 -0500

The groundbreaking director of "Born in Flames" discusses about her work in advance of her talk at SAAM.

On Radiant by Felrath Hines

Staff — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:09:06 -0500

Applying countless layers of color gives the artist's work depth and luminosity

Women's Films, All of Our Futures

Saisha Grayson — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 12:49:00 -0500

Join us at SAAM for the second Women Filmmakers Festival March 6 and 7

How Native Women Artists Guided the Creation of Hearts of Our People

Teri Greeves — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 11:10:53 -0500

The groundbreaking exhibition at the Renwick features more than 80 works from antiquity to the present

Luce Unplugged: Five Questions for Des Demonas

Jessica McFadden — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 18:10:59 -0500

Learn more about Des Demonas in advance of their appearance at Luce Unplugged on February 13, 2020.

Beyond the Studio with Katherine Akey

Jessica McFadden — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 12:52:06 -0500

Get to know local artist, Katherine Akey, in advance of her Beyond the Studio Workshop on February 9, 2020.

Before There Was Beyoncé, There Was Humboldt

Katie Hondorf — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 17:14:08 -0500

Meet Alexander von Humboldt, the singular superstar of the 1800s

Nam June Paik and New Media at SAAM

Saisha Grayson — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 11:41:04 -0500

The "Father of Video Art" takes center stage in a new installation and book.

Luce Unplugged: Five Questions for Pree

Jessica McFadden — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 14:19:48 -0500

The Luce Foundation Center's interview with May Tabol of dark-pop band, Pree, in advance of her performance at the Luce Unplugged Community Showcase on January 31, 2020.

Luce Unplugged: Five Questions for Carly Harvey

Jessica McFadden — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 13:52:26 -0500

Learn more about DC's Queen of the Blues, Carly Harvey, in advance of her performance at the Luce Unplugged Community Showcase on January 31, 2020.

John Baldessari: An Appreciation

Saisha Grayson — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 11:14:07 -0500

Remembering the influential artist whose video works helped define contemporary art

Beyond the Studio with Carlos Carmonamedina

Jessica McFadden — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 18:42:34 -0500

Get to know local illustrator, Carlos Carmonamedina, ahead of his Beyond the Studio Workshop on January 26, 2020.

Museum: A Tale of Art, Life, and Everything In Between

Howard Kaplan — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 16:27:00 -0500

A funny thing happened on the way to the museum...

Saying Goodbye to Artworks by David Best, Ginny Ruffner, and Michael Sherrill

Elana Hain — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 11:53:20 -0500

Last chance to see three exhibitions at SAAM's Renwick Gallery is January 5, 2020

The Lost Kusamas

Melissa Ho — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 13:47:07 -0500

Discovering four watercolors by Yayoi Kusama in SAAM's Joseph Cornell Study Center

Beyond the Studio with Rock Paper Plant

Jessica McFadden — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 11:55:04 -0500

The founders of Rock Paper Plant, Alicia Mazzara and Cielo Contreras, explain how their business got its roots in this interview before their upcoming Beyond the Studio Workshop.

Luce Unplugged: Five Questions for Washington Social Club

Jessica McFadden — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 18:20:53 -0500

The Luce Foundation Center's interview with the recently reunited indie-rock band, Washington Social Club, in advance of their Luce Unplugged performance on December 5, 2019.

We Look to Art

Stephanie Stebich — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 15:38:27 -0500

SAAM's director, Stephanie Stebich, looks to art as a way to elevate stories of our shared humanity

Behind the Screens: Chiura Obata

Libby Weiler — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 10:46:10 -0500

Chiura Obata: American Modern contains some of the artist's rarely seen folded screens.

Take Five! Duke Pearson and Blue Note Records

Bertrand Überall — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 10:30:14 -0500

A closer look at Duke Pearson’s role in creating the "Blue Note sound."

Meet the Director: Street Heroines' Alexandra Henry

Ryan Linthicum — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:33:54 -0500

Learn more about the documentary that celebrates the vision and tenacity of women street artists.

Representation Matters: Bringing Women’s Stories Into the Classroom Through American Art and Portraiture

Phoebe Hillemann — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 07:41:15 -0500

A collaboration between SAAM and NPG illuminates the lives and works of women artists in our collections.

Black and Latinx Art Activism in Los Angeles, 1968-1984

Jeff Gates — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 15:30:24 -0400

A closer look at Black and Latinx art spaces and activism in L.A.

Consider This Maverick of the Aesthetic Movement

John Davis — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 11:56:00 -0400

Smithsonian Provost John Davis takes a closer look at the painter Maria Oakey Dewing, who described herself as a "garden-thirsty soul."

Back in Bacne

Sara Snyder — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 15:34:32 -0400

Lauren Kalman's challenging work is meant to get under our skin.

The Puck Stops Here: David Levinthal's Hockey Photographs

Kari Jones — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 13:56:04 -0400

Giving America's favorite pastime a run for its money

The Aftermath of Hurricane María

E. Carmen Ramos — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 12:35:53 -0400

A closer look at the rich and trans-historical Puerto Rican artworks in the museum.

Modern Romance: Viewing Film Noir through a Different Lens

Shanti Boyle — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 13:06:16 -0400

David Levinthal's photographs shine a light on the darkness of film noir.

How Arthur Jafa Created a Contemporary Guernica

Saisha Grayson — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 13:08:31 -0400

The curator of time-based media examines the importance of a powerful work that speaks to our times...and times past.

Burning Man: Through the Fire

Elana Hain — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 12:50:25 -0400

Nearly one ton of hand-written tablets collected at the Renwick Gallery were burned at Burning Man earlier in the month.

Take 5! Shook and Russo

Bertrand Überall — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 11:21:06 -0400

It's all about the bass: Musician Amy Shook on influences, her quartet, and women in jazz.

On Harriet Whitney Frishmuth's The Vine

Clarisse Fava-Piz — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 12:31:18 -0400

Taking a closer look at an iconic work by the sculptor who was born on September 17, 1880.

From Coast to Coast

Stephanie Stebich — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 15:10:09 -0400

The West is on our minds, featured in our galleries, and is a part of an exciting new collaborative series.

Plastic Fantastic: On Duane Hanson's Woman Eating

Danielle O'Steen — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 15:53:19 -0400

Taking a closer look at the making of Duane Hanson's iconic sculpture

Road Trip: Aurora Borealis

Libby Weiler — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 14:55:15 -0400

Where will American Art Take You? Perhaps to Iceland to see the northern lights...

Dancing with the Spurs: On David Levinthal's Wild West Photographs

Shanti Boyle — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 14:10:42 -0400

What does the "Cowboy Code" have to do with David Levinthal's photographs?

Game Over: Images from SAAM Arcade 2019

Libby Weiler — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 10:25:55 -0400

Gamers gonna game: taking a closer look at SAAM Arcade 2019

Take 5! Celebrating Musician Butch Warren

Bertrand Überall — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 14:48:41 -0400

An interview with bassist Tyrone Allen who performs at Take 5! on August 15.

Art Does Have an Impact: Visitors Respond

Melissa Hendrickson — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 11:49:53 -0400

Visitors share their memories, hopes, and fears after viewing Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War, 1965-1975.

Reframing American Art

Joanna Marsh — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 11:23:02 -0400

A new web series explores American art by making unexpected connections across the Smithsonian

Barbie Girl: Gabby Douglas and the Historical Eminence of the Iconic Doll

Shanti Boyle — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 13:54:19 -0400

Gymnast Gabby Douglas on the deeper meaning of looking at (and being) a Barbie.

SAAM Arcade 2019: Representation Matters

Kayleigh Bryant-Greenwell — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 14:59:48 -0400

This year's Arcade explores games that highlight voices from the LGBTQ+, mental health, and people of color communities.

On Paul Thek's Warrior's Leg

Paisid Aramphongphan — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 16:51:53 -0400

Taking a closer look at Paul Thek's work that investigates the physical body and the body politic.

Joseph Cornell: Reaching for the Moon

Laura Augustin — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 16:21:43 -0400

Artist Joseph Cornell created works that were inspired by his interest in the Space Age.

Unforgettable: Jazz Singer Integriti Reeves Sings Nat King Cole

Bertrand Überall — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 13:00:42 -0400

Jazz singer Integriti Reeves on her art, inspiration, and her upcoming Take5! concert performing songs of Nat King Cole.

50 Things about OBJECTS: USA at 50

Gloria Kenyon — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 16:33:21 -0400

Public programs coordinator Gloria Kenyon revisits the influential Objects: USA exhibition on its 50th anniversary

SAAM Arcade 2019: Art, Video Games, and Empathy

Kayleigh Bryant-Greenwell — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 16:36:50 -0400

SAAM Arcade, "Breaking Barriers," features diverse and inclusive video games by independent video game developers.

Pitch Perfect: On David Levinthal, Roberto Clemente, and Baseball

Anne Showalter — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 11:30:29 -0400

Anne Showalter, digital interpretation specialist at SAAM, reflects on David Levinthal's photo of Roberto Clemente, from the artist's baseball series.

Fourth of July Journey Through American Art

Amy Fox — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 11:56:02 -0400

Whatever your plans for America's birthday, we have an artwork to fit. Pour yourself a lemonade, find a spot in the shade, and enjoy your holiday with a dash of American art.

SAAM Arcade: Breaking Barriers

Lauren Kolodkin — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 15:43:45 -0400

An interview with Tanya DePass, the founder of We Need Diverse Games, who will deliver the keynote at this year's SAAM Arcade.

Artist Ginny Ruffner Reimagines Nature

Shanti Boyle — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 09:03:46 -0400

Ginny Ruffner's exhibition conjures up notions of beauty and frailty through her use of glass, drawing, and augmented reality (AR) technology.

The Art of Hip-Hop

Shanti Boyle — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 13:03:02 -0400

A brief look at Hip-Hop and Contemporary Art in conjunction with America Now

What Domingo Ulloa's Braceros Means to Me

Amaia Noursi — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 15:24:12 -0400

Local student Amaia Noursi responds to the painting, Braceros, by Domingo Ulloa, as part of SAAM's "Creating American Stories" program.

What Mark Bradford's Amendment 8 means to me

Myles Bell — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 14:04:48 -0400

DC public school student Myles Bell, responds to Mark Bradford's painting, Amendment #8

Artist Brendan Fernandes On the Dance Floor as a Space for Resistance and Resilience

Saisha Grayson — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 10:00:35 -0400

Dancer/choreographer Brendan Fernandes talks about his work, including Free Fall 49, making its East Coast debut at SAAM on June 9.

David Levinthal: Toying with the Past?

Howard Kaplan — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 12:40:16 -0400

Populated with toy cowboys and cavalry, Barbie dolls and baseball players, David Levinthal’s photographs reference iconic images and events that shaped postwar American society.

SAAM Hears America Singing

Amy Fox — Fri, 31 May 2019 10:21:51 -0400

Walt Whitman, born in 1819, would be celebrating his two-hundredth birthday today, if such a thing were possible. Let us celebrate the poet with a round of American art from our collection.

From the Director: We Hear America Singing

Stephanie Stebich — Thu, 30 May 2019 16:38:38 -0400

SAAM's director, Stephanie Stebich, on our touring exhibitions, national programs, and museum initiatives.

Wine and Sign at ASL After Five

Phoebe Hillemann — Tue, 28 May 2019 10:14:44 -0400

The second ASL After Five happy hour event for the D.C. area’s Deaf community will take place on May 31, 2019

Popping (Up) With Pride at SAAM

Saisha Grayson — Fri, 24 May 2019 11:06:44 -0400

Saisha Grayson, curator of time-based media at SAAM, discusses the pop-up exhibition for the June 9 celebration of Pride.

Mom's the Word with Artist Tyler Fuqua

Howard Kaplan — Fri, 10 May 2019 11:14:08 -0400

A blog post in honor of Mother's Day, featuring Burning Man artist Tyler Fuqua and his mother talking about his work in "No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man."

Artists Respond: Vietnam on Film

Ryan Linthicum — Wed, 08 May 2019 17:45:48 -0400

SAAM is presenting three films on the Vietnam War in honor of the exhibition, "Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War, 1965-1975."

Nature is the Boss: Tony Bennett's Central Park

Karen Canova — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 12:47:33 -0400

Painter Anthony Benedetto is better known as crooner Tony Bennett. His painting "Central Park" depicts the New York oasis in autumn.

Luce Unplugged: Five Questions for We Were Pirates

Jessica McFadden — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 17:56:50 -0400

An interview with Mike Boggs of We Were Pirates, in advance of their Luce Unplugged appearance.

Notre Dame

Eleanor Jones Harvey — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 17:03:30 -0400

Senior Curator Eleanor Harvey describes the allure of Paris and Notre Dame on American artists beginning after the Civil War.

Niagara by George Inness: Familiar and Strange

Alexander Jackson — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 15:08:44 -0400

A closer look at the late-19th-century landscape of "Niagara" by George Inness.

Beyond Black Boxes and Gender Barriers: A Year of Time-Based Media Art at SAAM

Saisha Grayson — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 13:09:26 -0400

Curator of Time-Based Media at SAAM talks about upcoming initiatives emphasizing women artists and LGBTQ+ perspectives.

Beyond the Studio with Simon Bull

Jessica McFadden — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 09:26:23 -0400

Simon Bull, official artist of the 2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival, leads a "Beyond the Studio" workshop at the Luce Foundation Center.

American Art and the Vietnam War

Melissa Ho — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 10:00:00 -0400

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.

Luce Unplugged: Five Questions for Jax Deluca

Jessica McFadden — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 16:45:37 -0500

Luce Unplugged interviews Jax Deluca, performing as part of the Community Showcase on March 8, 2019.

Souvenir from the Holy Land: On Henry Ossawa Tanner's Abraham's Oak

Jeffrey Richmond-Moll — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 13:36:19 -0500

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.

From the Director: Looking Forward at SAAM

Stephanie Stebich — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 12:37:07 -0500

Stephanie Stebich, SAAM's director, takes a look at upcoming events, exhibitions, and programs at the museum.

L-O-V-E

Libby Weiler — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 08:34:15 -0500

Love is in the air and in the museum. Artworks and crafts projects in honor of celebrating (or avoiding) Valentine's Day.

Art Bites: Sunday Morning

Jill Vaum — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 11:49:24 -0500

Jill Vaum takes a close look at Thomas Waterman Woods' painting, "Sunday Morning," as part of the Art Bites series.

No Spectators: the Art of Burning Man Hits the Road

Sara Snyder — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 16:15:52 -0500

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.

Embrace the Dust: A Burning Man Journal

Geoffrey Cohrs — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 14:32:43 -0500

A personal journal by museum educator and first time Burner, Geoffrey Cohrs.

Museum: A Tale of Art, Life and Everything In Between

Howard Kaplan — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 13:21:13 -0500

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.

Thinking Outside the Box: Joseph Cornell for the Holidays

Laura Augustin — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 15:18:32 -0500

Joseph Cornell, who was born on Christmas Eve, 1903, often created handmade objects to give as gifts during the holidays.

Movies at SAAM: Art21 with Stephanie Syjuco

Ryan Linthicum — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 12:45:00 -0500

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.

Handle with Care: Consolidating Bill Traylor’s Artwork

Catherine Maynor — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 14:33:02 -0500

Paper Conservator Catherine Maynor shares her experience examining and treating Bill Traylor’s artwork.