SAAM Stories

Illustration of a girl sitting in front of a canvas. She is painting a portrait.
Women Artists 07/11/2024
Drawn to Lilly Martin Spencer
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Print of a hot dog bridge under a rainbow.
From the Collection 07/02/2024
Fourth of July Journey Through American Art
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.
Amy Fox
Social Media and Digital Content Specialist
Illustration of a woman surrounded by flowers and a rainbow motif.
Asian American Art Pride 06/27/2024
Drawn to Chitra Ganesh
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and art.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Two visitors look at a timeline on a wall. Behind them is a painting hanging on a blue wall and the words "Fighters for Freedom" with text underneath.
African American Art Exhibitions 06/18/2024
Who Are Today's Fighters for Freedom?
SAAM's educators invite students and visitors to reflect on William H. Johnson's portraits and make connections to our world today.
Emily Berg
A photograph of Phoebe Hillemann
Phoebe Hillemann
Teacher Institutes Educator
Detail of fiber art with a silhouette of woman. Her arms and one leg are raised as if mid-jump.
Women Artists 06/13/2024
Sisterhood of Sublime Fiber Artists
Artists and visitors mingled at the Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art Open House
A photograph of a woman.
Katie Hondorf
Public Affairs Specialist
Illustration showing a person with short, brown hair. They are holding a camera up to their face.
Pride Women Artists 06/06/2024
Drawn to Laura Aguilar
Laura Aguilar challenged accepted standards of beauty and represented the LGBTQ+ community, becoming one of the most influential Chicana photographers of her generation.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Two people in 60s mod clothing face each other. They stand in a gray, gauzy space.
From the Collection Pride 05/31/2024
In Focus: Clubbing
Martine Gutierrez’s work is an ode to the importance of dance floors as places for self-discovery and community building
SAAM
Sculpture of a woman. Massive antlers on her head cradle a delicate, translucent adult figure in a fetal position, like a creature preparing to emerge from its cocoon. Scattered on the ground below are antlers.
Exhibitions From the Collection 05/24/2024
Artist Alison Saar's Self-Awakening
Exploring the personal transformation reflected in her artwork Rouse.
SAAM
An art conservator holds a vacuum nozzle on a piece of artwork.
From the Collection Conservation 05/01/2024
Caring for an American Art Treasure
A peek into the world of conservation and the meticulous care of James Hampton’s The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millennium General Assembly.
Photo Anna Nielsen
Anna Nielsen
Conservation Program Coordinator
Eliza Macdonald
Katya Zinsli
Detail of illustrated portrait of Emma Amos.
Women Artists 04/26/2024
Drawn to Emma Amos
Painter, printmaker, and textile artist Emma Amos created colorful multi-media works that explore themes of identity.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Detail of Phoebe Kline. She is sitting in front of orchids and smiling.
Behind-the-Scenes Education 04/18/2024
What's It Like to Be a Docent at SAAM for Fifty Years?
Docent Phoebe Kline began at SAAM in 1974 and she's still going strong.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A photograph of a woman in front of artwork
From the Director 04/08/2024
Director's Letter: Spring Ahead
More visitors and new exhibitions highlight a season of change.
 Stephanie Stebich, SAAM's Margaret and Terry Stent Direction in the museum's Lincoln Gallery. Photo by Gene Young. 
Stephanie Stebich
The Margaret and Terry Stent Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery
Marian Anderson and symbols that surround her life
Exhibitions From the Collection 04/05/2024
A Portrait of Marian Anderson
William H. Johnson portrayed the singer in multiple paintings, including in his Fighters for Freedom series.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A detail of a vibrant painting with a dark navy blue circle on the right surrounded by concentric circles of reds, oranges, and yellow.
Exhibitions From the Collection 04/02/2024
Reflecting on the Natural Wonders of an Eclipse
As we gather to celebrate this year’s eclipse, Alma Thomas, whose painting The Eclipse is featured in SAAM's collection, noted the influence of natural phenomena on her work.
A photograph of a woman.
Katie Hondorf
Public Affairs Specialist
Detail of an illustration showing a person wearing glass art standing in front of a slatted fence. The text says "Border Stories."
Women Artists 03/27/2024
Drawn to Tanya Aguiñiga
Celebrating the renowned artist whose community-based practice involves interactions at the border.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A detail of a painting showing five women and the institutions they built.
Exhibitions From the Collection 03/22/2024
Honoring the Women Fighters in William H. Johnson’s Paintings
Johnson offers historical insights and fresh perspectives of legendary women alongside less well-known changemakers
SAAM
Detail of an artwork showing children holding an American flag.
From the Collection New Acquisitions 03/18/2024
In Focus: Pledge
An item that most people carry in their pockets is key to experiencing Hank Willis Thomas's Pledge.
SAAM
Detail of abstract painting showing red tiles of paint on a white background.
Exhibitions From the Collection 03/14/2024
Dancing While Designing: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Alma Thomas’s Working Methods
Explore the themes of Music and Nature in Composing Colors: Paintings by Alma Thomas.
A photograph of a woman.
Katie Hondorf
Public Affairs Specialist