SAAM Stories

Conservator pulling a print from the sink of water
SAAM conservator Kate Maynor explains the delicate process of washing paper
Kate Maynor
Black and white photograph of a woman holding a monkey that is swaddled like a baby
04/07/2022
An unexpected email reveals more about the subject of one of Diane Arbus’s celebrated portraits
Photography of John Jacob by Friedrich Nill.
John Jacob
McEvoy Family Curator for Photography
Roman glass bowl
Go behind-the-scenes with conservators who make a fascinating discovery about a rarely seen Roman glass bowl
Katya Zinsli
A holographic figure in a dark room behind a velvet rope and drapes.
On the multimedia installation, Lincoln, Lonnie, and Me, recently acquired by SAAM
This is a photograph of curator Saisha Grayson
Saisha Grayson
Curator of Time-Based Media
Bubble graph with interconnected data points.
This Women's History Month, learn how SAAM is using open data platforms to increase the visibility of artists represented in the collection
Sonoe Nakasone
The two members of Astra Via sit on a couch wering matching black turtleneck sweaters.
SAAM's Luce Foundation Center is teaming up with DC local music podcast Hometown Sounds to bring you music and conversations from your favorite artists.
Anne Wilsey
Program Specialist for the Luce Foundation Center
Three women sitting side-by-side preparing food
A look into the daily lives of women living in one close-knit Baltimore neighborhood
Headshot of a woman with brown hair wearing a gray jacket
Krystle Stricklin
NEA Curatorial Fellow
Artist Augusta Savage with her sculpture
03/18/2022
The Drawn to Art comic series continues to share the lives of women artists you should know
Gabrielle Ching
An illustration of an artist weaving at a loom with a vivid blue background with winding orange lines.
03/10/2022
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work
A pink neon sign that reads "This Present Moment Used to be the Unimaginable Future."
Discover the inspiration and call to action behind this monumental neon artwork
SAAM
Landscape of mountains with Native motifs overlayed.
Our video series American Art Moments takes a closer look at the artist's career through three paintings new to SAAM’s collection
Maddi Mae stands in front of a field of grass wearing a red dress and holding a guitar.
SAAM's Luce Foundation Center is teaming up with DC local music podcast Hometown Sounds to bring you music and conversations from your favorite artists.
Anne Wilsey
Program Specialist for the Luce Foundation Center
A woman stands in front of a black sculpture
02/24/2022
Stephanie Stebich, the Margaret and Terry Stent Director, talks about opportunities and challenges in the coming year.
 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
An abstract painting in green and white.
02/15/2022
Celebrating the renowned artist and remembering her long life and remarkable career
SAAM
A multimedia portrait of a Black woman reclining in a chair.
02/04/2022
Hear Black artists speak about their life and work in a selection of videos
SAAM
Image of a boy doing lunar new year crafts
Celebrate Lunar New Year with fun virtual activities designed for the whole family!
An illustration of a young Black artist painting a portrait. Above the text reads "I could afford yarn...glitter...rhinestones..."
01/27/2022
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work
Installation view of New Glass Then
Discover the history of SAAM’s Renwick Gallery through Glass
A photograph of a woman with brown hair and a dress standing inside a building.
Mary Savig
Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft