SAAM Stories

A photograph of a woman in front of artwork
From the Director
01/26/2023
Director’s Letter: A Year of Stories
Director Stephanie Stebich looks forward to the year ahead
 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
A detail of stained glass with a figure, in a fetal position, at the middle
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions
01/26/2023
Contemporary Craft in Focus: The Birth of Eve
Artist Judith Schaechter uses the labor-intensive medium of stained glass to capture a singular moment in time
SAAM
A white man wearing a dark blazer stands leaning on a balustrade. He has a slight smile.
Contemporary Craft
01/17/2023
Remembering the Renwick’s Founding Director Lloyd Herman
A tribute to the Renwick Gallery's Founding Director, Lloyd Herman, a man whose name was synonymous with studio craft
A photograph of a woman with brown hair and a dress standing inside a building.
Mary Savig
Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft
Detail of a sand bottle artwork showing an eagle carrying an American flag.
From the Collection New Acquisitions
01/13/2023
The Wonder and Precision of Sand Art
Andrew Clemens invented, then perfected, the art of the sand bottle in the late nineteenth century.
A photograph of a woman standing in front of artwork.
Leslie Umberger
Curator (Folk and Self-Taught Art)
A woman in a black blazer smiles in front of a dusky landscape
Jill Vaum Rothschild
Luce Curatorial Fellow
A black and white photograph of the artist Philip Pearlstein. He is wearing glasses and has a big smile.
From the Collection Behind-the-Scenes
01/10/2023
Remembering the Influential Figurative Painter Philip Pearlstein
SAAM remembers the towering twentieth-century figurative painter, Philip Pearlstein.
SAAM
A black and white illustration of a African American woman. She is shown in 3/4 profile.
Women Artists
12/27/2022
Drawn to Augusta Savage
In addition to her own success, Harlem Renaissance sculptor Augusta Savage dedicated her career to creating opportunities for Black artists.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A white Christmas with a homemade box.
From the Collection Behind-the-Scenes
12/23/2022
Thinking Outside the Box: Joseph Cornell for the Holidays
Joseph Cornell, who was born in 1903 on Christmas Eve, often created handmade objects to give as gifts during the holidays.
Laura Augustin
Curatorial Assistant
A black and white photo of a man sitting looking away from the camera, his artwork in front of him
From the Collection One Smithsonian
12/20/2022
Exploring the Joseph Cornell Study Center at SAAM
An archivist looks at the important art and objects in the Joseph Cornell Study Center
Anna Rimel
A jeweled-encrusted egg
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions
12/19/2022
Remembering the Talented and Enigmatic Artist Daniel Brush
A look at the extraordinary career of master metalsmith and painter Daniel Brush
Photograph of Nora Atkinson by Libby Weiler.
Nora Atkinson
The Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge, Renwick Gallery
Artist Joseph Cornell standing at worktable with materials for his artworks around him
12/15/2022
More than an Artist: Joseph Cornell as Friend, Collector, and Mentor
A closer look at Joseph Cornell's work and his continuing influence, even 50 years after his death
Laura Augustin
Curatorial Assistant
Detail of quilted portrait showing three African American soldiers
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions
12/05/2022
Threads of History: Bisa Butler’s monumental quilt The Harlem Hellfighters
SAAM’s video series, American Art Moments, takes a closer look at the monumental quilt The Harlem Hellfighters by Bisa Butler
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A explosion of yellows and reds in a scene from WWI
Education
11/30/2022
An Artist’s View of WWI and How to Preserve His Portraits of War
Taking a closer look at Claggett Wilson’s watercolor paintings that depict his experiences as a combat marine in World War I 
Kelly Skeen
Ceramic bowl with ceramic spoons hanging all around its perimeter.
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions
11/22/2022
Contemporary Craft in Focus: scoopbowl service
Artist gwendolyn yoppolo focuses on creating meaningful relationships through a shared dining experience
SAAM
A tight crop of an illustration showing a girl with her hands on the face of a horse. She is smiling.
Women Artists
11/17/2022
Drawn to Jaune Quick-To-See Smith
Jaune Quick-To-See Smith (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation) was born on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana in 1940. Throughout her long and distinguished career she has used her art to powerfully express her support for Native American communities
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A view of the tree-lined Kogod courtyard
One Smithsonian Behind-the-Scenes
11/16/2022
Shake It Off: Trees Gonna Sway, Sway, Sway
For centuries humans have been bringing the outside in, brightening up interior spaces by incorporating plants into homes and offices. Twice a year, horticulturists at the Smithsonian mimic rain and wind to help keep the trees in the Kogod Courtyard happy and thriving.
Virginia Thaxton
Two conservators, both wearing masks, re-dress the Gladys doll.
Exhibitions Conservation
11/10/2022
Possum Trot Dolls Get a Wardrobe Refresh
SAAM’s conservators find the delicate balance between original work and restoration through two dolls
Leah Bright
Detail of a mixed media artwork using a flag and military blanket
Contemporary Craft From the Collection
11/01/2022
Native American Arts in Focus: Edson’s Flag
Marie Watt honors veterans and Indigenous communities through simple objects that hold powerful stories
SAAM
A close up detail of a drawn bat
From the Collection
10/28/2022
What We Do In the Art Museum Shadows
A look into the hilarious vampire mockumentary series that now appears to be haunting the museum halls.
A photograph of Sara Snyder
Sara Snyder
Head of External Affairs & Digital Strategies