Through the Eye of the Needle: Treating a 1940 Diorama
CIBA conservator Tamara Dissi talks about her work conserving a diorama from 1940.
Eye Level
Eye Level is the blog of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery. Publishing behind-the-scenes museum stories since 2005.
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!
Road Trip: Burning Man
SAAM director Stephanie Stebich recounts some of her experiences at Burning Man, 2017.
A Woman Deserving our Attention and RESPECT
In honor of the Queen of Soul, the iconic singer and songwriter, Aretha Franklin.
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.
Road Trip: Painted Deserts
August is for staff Artful Road Trips. Libby shares her journey to Arches National Park, Utah.
Luce Unplugged: 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.
Conservation in the Digital Age
A review of conservator Dann Finn's talk on Jenny Holzer's, "For SAAM."
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, Juky 22, 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.
Luce Unplugged: ParkSnakes
An interview with ParkSnakes in anticipation of their performance at the Luce Center on July 20, 2018.
A Brush with History: Letters to Jonathan Van Ness
We imagine the letters of 19th-century sitters to Jonathan Van Ness, star of the Netflix series, Queer Eye.
Get Your Game On: SAAM Arcade 2018
Congratulations are in order! We’re so excited to announce that we’ve selected fifteen incredible independent games to showcase at this year’s SAAM Arcade!
Trevor Paglen: Sites Unseen Now Open
Installing Trevor Paglen's Prototype for a Nonfunctional Satellite in the exhibition Trevor Paglen: Sites Unseen.
Ten Million Patents...and Counting
SAAM is honoring the Patent Office's issuing of its 10 millionth patent on June 19, 2018, with a look at patents in our own collection.
Sites Unseen: Trevor Paglen’s Retrospective at SAAM
"Trevor Paglen: Sites Unseen," is as sanguine as it is surreptitious, inviting viewers to question the very essence of surveillance and to ask themselves whether a surreal sky or landscape can ever be just that.