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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  Contemporary Craft in Focus: Warrior with Color Face

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

  SAAM on May 20, 2022

This Present Moment is Here and Now

New exhibition celebrates the 50th anniversary of SAAM’s Renwick Gallery

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

SAAM on May 13, 2022

Crafting a Better World

SAAM’s director on the exhibition This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World

Contemporary Craft

Stephanie on May 12, 2022

Contemporary Craft in Focus: Harlem Hellfighters

Learn more about artist Bisa Butler's vivid portraits of African American heroes from World War I

Contemporary Craft

From the Collection

New Acquisitions

SAAM on May 2, 2022

Podcast Release: Music and Conversation with Broke Royals

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.

Luce Foundation Center

Anne on April 28, 2022

Why I Am Not a Painter: on Michael Goldberg's Sardines

What happens when poet Frank O'Hara walks into Mike Goldberg's studio while he's working on a painting?

From the Collection

Howard on April 21, 2022

Refreshing a View of Venice: How Paper Conservators Clean a Print

SAAM conservator Kate Maynor explains the delicate process of washing paper

Exhibitions

Conservation

Kate Maynor on April 14, 2022

Depicting Love in Diane Arbus’s A woman with her baby monkey, 1971

An unexpected email reveals more about the subject of one of Diane Arbus’s celebrated portraits

From the Collection

John on April 7, 2022

A Fragile Roman Mosaic Glass Bowl Reveals Its Secrets

Go behind-the-scenes with conservators who make a fascinating discovery about a rarely seen Roman glass bowl

Exhibitions

Conservation

Katya Zinsli on April 1, 2022

Exploring the American Psyche with Carrie Mae Weems

On the multimedia installation, Lincoln, Lonnie, and Me, recently acquired by SAAM

From the Collection

New Acquisitions

Saisha on March 29, 2022

Building a Web of Knowledge Through Wikidata

This Women's History Month, learn how SAAM is using open data platforms to increase the visibility of artists represented in the collection

Technology

Sonoe Nakasone on March 25, 2022

Podcast Release: Music and Conversation with Astra Via

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.

Luce Foundation Center

Five Question Interviews

Anne on March 24, 2022

Through the Lens of Photographer Linda Rich

A look into the daily lives of women living in one close-knit Baltimore neighborhood

Exhibitions

From the Collection

Krystle Stricklin on March 22, 2022

Presenting Ten More Visionaries and Rule Breakers in SAAM's Collection

The Drawn to Art comic series continues to share the lives of women artists you should know

From the Collection

Howard and Gabrielle Ching on March 18, 2022

Drawn to Anni Albers

Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work

Howard on March 10, 2022

Contemporary Craft in Focus: This Present Moment

Discover the inspiration and call to action behind this monumental neon artwork

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection

New Acquisitions

SAAM on March 8, 2022

A Closer Look at Kay WalkingStick's Distinguished Career

Our video series American Art Moments takes a closer look at the artist's career through three paintings new to SAAM’s collection

Howard on March 3, 2022

Podcast Release: Music and Conversation with Maddi Mae

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.

Luce Foundation Center

Five Question Interviews

Anne on February 25, 2022

Grace, Grit, and Joy

Stephanie Stebich, the Margaret and Terry Stent Director, talks about opportunities and challenges in the coming year.

From the Director

Stephanie on February 24, 2022