Eye Level

Eye Level is the blog of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery. Publishing behind-the-scenes museum stories since 2005.

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  Art Bites: Gold Mining, Cripple Creek

  The author looks at Ernest Lawson's painting, "Gold Mining, Cripple Creek," with the environment in mind.

Conservation: A Tale of Two Summers

CIBA intern Matthew Fields describes his work conserving a diorama from 1940.

Conservation

Beyond the Studio with Lily Cox

A Luce Foundation interview with Lily Cox about her upcoming Beyond the Studio workshop where she'll be demonstrating the art of kokedama

Luce Foundation Center

Between Worlds: The Art of Bill Traylor opens today

Bill Traylor (ca. 1853–1949) is among the most important American artists of the twentieth century.

Behind the Scenes

More Pepper, Please!

Scanning... Scanning... Pepper the robot has a few surprising special skills to share at Technology Family Day.

Behind the Scenes

Technology

Through the Eye of the Needle: Treating a 1940 Diorama

CIBA conservator Tamara Dissi talks about her work conserving a diorama from 1940.

Conservation

Luce Unplugged: Rob Stokes

Luce interview with musician Rob Stokes on his art and inspiration.

Luce Foundation Center

Back to School with SAAM

While many of us are planning one last beach getaway, teachers and students in several places around the country have already headed back to the classroom. You might be surprised, however, to hear some of the ways artworks in SAAM’s collection will be showing up with them!

Education

Road Trip: Burning Man

SAAM director Stephanie Stebich recounts some of her experiences at Burning Man, 2017.

From the Director

A Woman Deserving our Attention and RESPECT

In honor of the Queen of Soul, the iconic singer and songwriter, Aretha Franklin.

The Face of the Madonna and the Eyes of a Child: On Sargent's "Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler"

Taking another look at John Singer Sargent’s portrait of Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler.

Road Trip: Painted Deserts

August is for staff Artful Road Trips. Libby shares her journey to Arches National Park, Utah.

Luce Unplugged: OG Lullabies

On Thursday, August 2nd, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, the Luce Foundation Center hosts another installment of Luce Unplugged. Thursday shows, presented with D.C. Music Download, are a tribute to a Luce Center artwork selected by the performer.

Luce Foundation Center

Conservation in the Digital Age

A review of conservator Dann Finn's talk on Jenny Holzer's, "For SAAM."

Conservation

You Are Invited: "Happy Birthday, Nam June Paik"

Curator of New Media, Saisha Grayson, introduces artist Saya Woolfalk who will speak at the Nam June Paik birthday event, Juky 22, 2018.

Behind the Scenes

Games

Revisiting Edward Hopper's "Cape Cod Morning"

A closer look at Edward Hopper's iconic painting, Cape Cod morning, in honor of the artist's birthday on July 22.

Luce Unplugged: ParkSnakes

An interview with ParkSnakes in anticipation of their performance at the Luce Center on July 20, 2018.

Luce Foundation Center

SAAM Arcade: Game Spaces

What does “Game Spaces” mean to me?

Games

4th of July, All Day Long

To celebrate the Fourth of July, here's a parade of artworks.

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