Open daily, 11:30 a.m.–7 p.m.

The nation’s first collection of American art, an unparalleled record of the American experience.

Open daily, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Located just feet from the White House, a branch of the museum that is home the nation's collection of contemporary craft and decorative art.

Plan your visit

How Do I Research My Art?

Want to learn more about the painting you found while clearing out the attic? For answers, be prepared for a little detective work.

How to Care for Your Collections

Regardless of the monetary value of your artwork, if it is personally meaningful, you should consider having the object conserved.

Recording a Changing Nation

This resource uses images from photographic surveys in 55 communities in 30 states across the United States as source documents to spark sustained inquiry.

Critical Thinking in Action

These 60-to-95-minute units pair thinking patterns with works of art to instill a thinking disposition transferable across classroom curriculum and into the wider world.

Event Venues and Space Rental

Museum Store Online

Detail of brown ceramic jar with writing and the signature "Dave" inscribed around the top.

David “Dave” Drake: Potter and Poet

Craftsman David “Dave” Drake, enslaved for most of his life, produced uncommonly large ceramic jars in 19th-century South Carolina adorned by his poetic verses

A black case that is open to reveal smaller compartments and utensils mounted in the lid. Boxes wrapped in brown paper are stacked on the side.

Contemporary Craft in Focus: The Weight of Deferred Gratification

Metalsmith David Harper Clemons creates art that gives new meanings to everyday objects

Director’s Circle

A national membership group of museum friends who share a love of American art and craft and our commitment to celebrating the extraordinary creativity of our nation’s artists.

Join now

SAAM Creatives

A membership group for young professionals who are interested in immersing themselves in the American art experience.

Join now

Nightswimmer

Image Not Available

Copied Michael Mazur, Nightswimmer, 1983, monotype on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1995.68

Artwork Details

Title: Nightswimmer
Artist: Michael Mazur
Date: 1983
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: sheet and image: 42 ¹⁄₂ x 30 in. (107.9 x 76.1 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of the artist
Mediums Description: monotype on paper
Classifications: Graphic Arts
Print
Keywords: Recreation — sport and play — swimming
Waterscape — time — night
Figure — fragment — face
Landscape — island
Object Number: 1995.68
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1995.68

Visit Planning

Access Programs

Museums

Explore Art

Explore Artists

Something Fun

Exhibitions

Art Conservation

Museum Services

Collection Highlights

Research Resources

Publications

Fellows and Interns

Featured Resources

For K-12 Teachers

For Lifelong Learners

Learn from Home

Featured Resources

Latest News

Special Initiatives

About the Museums

Host an Event

Connect with Us

Shop Online

Featured SAAM Stories

Donate

Join

Become a member

Nightswimmer

Artwork Details