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Find behind-the-scenes museum stories about artworks, artists, and more.
![Person leaning toward a vase in a plexiglass covered case in a museum gallery, other artworks fill the space in the distance.](http://cdn.saam.media/enf7Vj6BbukvjgxuZmrt2npVjCc/960/0/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Fimage%2F1732205903%2F2.jpg)
The artist builds futuristic worlds and characters he pairs with his traditionally sourced and formed pots, where knowledge of the past provides guidance for future generations.
SAAM
![Sculpture of a person completely covered with multiple colorful, intricate patterns standing against a dark red wall with the exhibition title "The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture."](http://cdn.saam.media/-XASDNeTQtj0_PHxOldSSNerXA4/960/0/center/cover/png/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Fimage%2F1731083465%2FShape%2520of%2520Power_title%2520wall_edited_home%2520page%2520crop.png)
A new exhibition explores how the history of race in the United States is entwined in the history of American sculpture.
SAAM
![Print of a hot dog bridge under a rainbow.](http://cdn.saam.media/B2DNhJD3cBM3UEZYeWGd30xXDtY/960/0/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Fimage%2F1719858195%2FHot%2520Dog%2520Bridge_home%2520page%2520crop.jpg)
From the Collection07/02/2024
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
![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.](http://cdn.saam.media/4vjPkmoHVeCnUrMpsc16_7QXh4k/960/0/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Fimage%2F1718742884%2F2024_3_1_SAAM_WilliamJohnson_FighterForFreedom-117_home%2520page%2520crop.jpg)
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](http://cdn.saam.media/QICiPiRxU7ntqNM7k2dQ1vc-1VM/640/640/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fuser%2FMejoradoR%2540si.edu%2FPhoebe%2520Headshot%25202023.JPG%25202.jpg)
Phoebe Hillemann
Teacher Institutes Educator
![Two people in 60s mod clothing face each other. They stand in a gray, gauzy space.](http://cdn.saam.media/5GxdGQuTefT78D2Wa6x-n4VSt7A/960/0/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Fimage%2F1717161024%2FClubbing_home%2520page%2520crop.jpg)
Martine Gutierrez’s work is an ode to the importance of dance floors as places for self-discovery and community building
SAAM
![An art conservator holds a vacuum nozzle on a piece of artwork.](http://cdn.saam.media/2mdD_YiCpgPVVoSkENAoRAGtMDw/960/0/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Fimage%2F1714490419%2Fconservation%2520photo_throne_home%2520page%2520crop.jpg)
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.
![Marian Anderson and symbols that surround her life](http://cdn.saam.media/zSVifk4z8rP-mRQl4LsqrLVF_BQ/960/0/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Fimage%2F1666109422%2FMarian%2520Anderson_homepage%2520crop.jpg)
William H. Johnson portrayed the singer in multiple paintings, including in his Fighters for Freedom series.
![A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.](http://cdn.saam.media/jaP7JT4VHm2s_pCD-MNeCeKuYl4/640/640/top/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fuser%2Fweilerl%2Fhoward-kap.jpg)
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.](http://cdn.saam.media/B2qoCcL2KWqfI675bwGhe44y33Y/960/0/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Fimage%2F1711981044%2FThomas_Eclipse_home%2520page%2520crop.jpg)
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.](http://cdn.saam.media/SpXV_2KVhc7bLAE-5F0VAcZvLLw/640/640/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fuser%2Fweilerl%2FKatie.jpeg)
Katie Hondorf
Public Affairs Specialist
![A detail of a painting showing five women and the institutions they built.](http://cdn.saam.media/d_ejqXWEXJFzwCTztpuLB2Qea_c/960/0/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Fimage%2F1711110702%2FWomen%2520Builders_home%2520page%2520crop.jpg)
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.](http://cdn.saam.media/C0-1EEsGSZv6BK2hhgN1ZVvAvnc/960/0/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Fimage%2F1710517386%2FSAAM-2023.12_1_2_home%2520page%2520crop.jpg)
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.](http://cdn.saam.media/8AEoZUcFNOMe9tJhJMjojsG3V8M/960/0/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Fimage%2F1710422881%2FSAAM-1978.40.5_1.jpg)
Explore the themes of Music and Nature in Composing Colors: Paintings by Alma Thomas.
![A photograph of a woman.](http://cdn.saam.media/SpXV_2KVhc7bLAE-5F0VAcZvLLw/640/640/center/cover/jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ec1vt3scx7rr.cloudfront.net%2Ffiles%2Fuser%2Fweilerl%2FKatie.jpeg)
Katie Hondorf
Public Affairs Specialist