Last Chance to See Liza Lou!

The exhibit Star Spangled Presidents: Portraits by Liza Lou ends this weekend at the Renwick Gallery.

Contemporary craft artist Liza Lou uses beads as her primary medium. In Star Spangled Presidents, Lou created a likeness of each of the American Presidents that resembles a historic black and white photograph. She said, "the zillions of beads I used to create American Presidents symbolize grand campaign promises of a sparkling future for America and the fulfillment of the American Dream."

The contested presidential election had a surprise effect on this show. The artist had intended to make a portrait of the next president to include in the exhibit soon after its opening. However, because it took more than five weeks after Election Day for a winner to be declared, Lou's frame was empty much longer than anticipated! Lou unveiled the newest addition to the exhibition in person on January 14.

The Renwick Gallery is located at 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, across from the White House.

Pictured: Artist Liza Lou unveiling her beaded portrait of George W. Bush at the Renwick Gallery on January 14, 2001.