SAAM Stories

A tight crop of an illustration showing a girl with her hands on the face of a horse. She is smiling.
11/17/2022
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 view of the tree-lined Kogod courtyard
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.
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
Marie Watt honors veterans and Indigenous communities through simple objects that hold powerful stories
SAAM
A close up detail of a drawn bat
10/28/2022
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
A painting of a skull.
Chicano artists and activists blended cultural and visual traditions to create modern Day of the Dead celebrations in the U.S.
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
Marian Anderson and symbols that surround her life
SAAM educator Phoebe Hillemann reflects on creating resources to spark curiosity for learners of all ages who view William H. Johnson’s Fighters for Freedom series
A photograph of Phoebe Hillemann
Phoebe Hillemann
Teacher Institutes Educator
A woman stands in front of a black sculpture
10/19/2022
Stephanie Stebich, SAAM's director, takes a look at exhibitions and programs and welcomes a new head curator to the museum.
 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
Conservator wearing a head lamp, shines light on a mural.
A behind-the-scenes look at how 3D imaging helps a mural conservator preserve Judy Baca's Uprising of the Mujeres.
Wendy Rose
An illustration of a woman drawing at a table and a group of men behind her, looking on.
10/13/2022
Judith Baca is a Chicana artist, professor, arts administrator, community leader, and social and cultural activist, whose murals and paintings give voice to underrepresented communities.
Detail of a mural showing an indigenous woman at the  forefront of a scene of farmworkers
SAAM talks with the artist about her inspirations and the process of creating a portable mural
Wendy Rose
A photograph of Claudia Zapata
Claudia Zapata
Former Curatorial Assistant of Latinx Art
A man seated in his living room, petting his dog.
09/30/2022
Collector Douglas O. Robson offers insights into his mother’s collecting habits, her dedication to self-taught artists, and his own collecting journey.
Kelly Skeen
Detail of comic cover depicting an illustration of the artist with protest signs behind her.
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work
An illustration of 10 women artists
09/22/2022
The comic series Drawn to Art, published online by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, features tales of inspiring women artists.
Detail of quilt that says "i / i am / i am still / i am not still / i am still not free"
Artist Chawne Kimber stitches her experiences and activism in vibrant, improvisational-style quilts
SAAM
A detailed crop of a highly textured ceramic vessel. The center shows a painting of the rapper Notorious B.I.G. The side handles are busts of Notorious B.I.G. on one and Tupac Shakur on the other.
Remixing classical ceramics and underrepresented figures with a hip-hop style
SAAM
Screenprint portrait of Cesar Chavez
Exploring the life of a celebrated labor rights activist through his portrait
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
A detail of a ceramic sculpture with glaze which appears to have melted
The decadent inspiration behind Lauren Mabry's ceramics
SAAM