From the Collection

SAAM is home to one of the largest and most inclusive collections of American art in the world, capturing the aspirations, character and imagination of the American people. Explore highlights from the eighteenth century to today.

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

Categories

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection

Women Artists

New Acquisitions
- Read more about Threads of History: Bisa Butler’s monumental quilt The Harlem Hellfighters
Contemporary Craft in Focus: scoopbowl service

Artist gwendolyn yoppolo focuses on creating meaningful relationships through a shared dining experience

Categories

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection

Women Artists
- Read more about Contemporary Craft in Focus: scoopbowl service
Native American Arts in Focus: Edson’s Flag

Marie Watt honors veterans and Indigenous communities through simple objects that hold powerful stories

Categories

Contemporary Craft

From the Collection

One Smithsonian

Women Artists
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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.

Categories

From the Collection
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Traditions and Change: The Transformation of Día de los Muertos in the United States

Chicano artists and activists blended cultural and visual traditions to create modern Day of the Dead celebrations in the U.S.

Categories

Chicano Graphics

From the Collection
- Read more about Traditions and Change: The Transformation of Día de los Muertos in the United States
Using 3D Imaging To Preserve Chicana Artist Judy Baca’s Mural Uprising of the Mujeres

A behind-the-scenes look at how 3D imaging helps a mural conservator preserve Judy Baca's Uprising of the Mujeres.

Categories

From the Collection

Women Artists

Conservation

Technology
- Read more about Using 3D Imaging To Preserve Chicana Artist Judy Baca’s Mural Uprising of the Mujeres
Judy Baca On Her Mural Uprising of the Mujeres

SAAM talks with the artist about her inspirations and the process of creating a portable mural

Categories

From the Collection

One Smithsonian

Women Artists

Behind-the-Scenes

Conservation
- Read more about Judy Baca on Her Mural Uprising of the Mujeres
Contemporary Craft in Focus: still not

Artist Chawne Kimber stitches her experiences and activism in vibrant, improvisational-style quilts

Categories

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection
- Read more about Contemporary Craft in Focus: still not
Contemporary Craft in Focus: Roberto Lugo

Remixing classical ceramics and underrepresented figures with a hip-hop style

Categories

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection
- Read more about Contemporary Craft in Focus: Roberto Lugo
Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: Homenaje a Cesar Chavez

Exploring the life of a celebrated labor rights activist through his portrait

Categories

Chicano Graphics

From the Collection
- Read more about Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: Homenaje a Cesar Chavez
Contemporary Craft in Focus: Glazescape (Green Shade)

The decadent inspiration behind Lauren Mabry's ceramics

Categories

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection
- Read more about Contemporary Craft in Focus: Glazescape (Green Shade)
Expression or Meditation: Coloring Pages for All Ages

Coloring books can offer space for creativity or release for children and adults. Inspired by artwork in SAAM’s collection, while away a quiet afternoon with some art supplies and our coloring sheets.

Categories

From the Collection

Luce Foundation Center
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Performing Ambiguity: The Art of Tseng Kwong Chi

In his all too short career, the photographer rejected conventional codes of identity and insisted on new, ambiguous conditions of being.

Categories

From the Collection

Pride

New Acquisitions
- Read more about Performing Ambiguity: The Art of Tseng Kwong Chi
Contemporary Craft in Focus: The Queer Houses of Brooklyn

Artist L.J. Roberts integrates queer theory with traditional “domestic crafts” such as knitting and embroidery.

Categories

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection

Pride
- Read more about Contemporary Craft in Focus: The Queer Houses of Brooklyn
Artists, Friends, Lovers: Paul Cadmus and George Tooker

Celebrating Pride with paintings by two artists whose lives intersected and whose artworks explore similar themes

Categories

Exhibitions

From the Collection

Pride
- Read more about Artists, Friends, Lovers: Paul Cadmus and George Tooker
Contemporary Craft in Focus: Warrior with Color Face

Sculptor Wanxin Zhang explores history, politics, and culture through clay

Categories

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection
- Read more about Contemporary Craft in Focus: Warrior with Color Face

SAAM Stories: From the Collection

Threads of History: Bisa Butler’s monumental quilt The Harlem Hellfighters

Contemporary Craft in Focus: scoopbowl service

Native American Arts in Focus: Edson’s Flag

What We Do In the Art Museum Shadows

Traditions and Change: The Transformation of Día de los Muertos in the United States

Using 3D Imaging To Preserve Chicana Artist Judy Baca’s Mural Uprising of the Mujeres

Judy Baca On Her Mural Uprising of the Mujeres

Contemporary Craft in Focus: still not

Contemporary Craft in Focus: Roberto Lugo

Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: Homenaje a Cesar Chavez

Contemporary Craft in Focus: Glazescape (Green Shade)

Expression or Meditation: Coloring Pages for All Ages

Performing Ambiguity: The Art of Tseng Kwong Chi

Contemporary Craft in Focus: The Queer Houses of Brooklyn

Artists, Friends, Lovers: Paul Cadmus and George Tooker

Contemporary Craft in Focus: Warrior with Color Face