A Brush with Nature: Alexander von Humboldt and Frederic Church
Humboldt's ideas on art, nature, and philosophy helped to shape American artists, including the influential Hudson River school painters
Eye Level
Eye Level is the blog of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery. Publishing behind-the-scenes museum stories since 2005.
Stemming the Tide: A Call to Climate Action for Cultural Heritage
Stemming the Tide: A Call to Climate Action for Cultural Heritage
Looking at climate change and cultural heritage worldwide as we honor the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
Flower Exploration and Natural Dye Lab
Bring nature indoors in this easy-to-do craft inspired by explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt
Make your own Sun Print and Explore an Early Form of Photography
Did you know that you can create your own work of art with just construction paper and sunlight? You can with a sun print.
SAAM’s Best Friends: Animals in Art and at Home
Because at SAAM everything eventually comes back to American art, some of us have been inspired to model our sweet, sassy, bored, annoyed, sleepy, amusing pets after favorite artworks in our collection. We offer them as amusement and inspiration, and as evidence of the creativity and sense of humor we appreciate in each other.
We’ve Got Your Back...Pack
How SAAM is helping students stay creative when they can’t visit the museum
The Art of the Teleconference
Transform your Zoom virtual background or computer desktop into a work of art
The Art of Difficult Times
Director Stephanie Stebich reflects on connecting online with art, and with one another, during challenging times.
The Writing on the Wall
Why Hearts of Our People exhibition labels have been translated into dozens of Native languages
Shelter from the Storm: the Aftermath of Hurricane Maria
SAAM conservators help to preserve cultural heritage when natural disaster strikes.
Creating Sparks: Five Questions with Lizzie Borden
The groundbreaking director of "Born in Flames" discusses about her work in advance of her talk at SAAM.
Balance and Harmony: Radiant by Felrath Hines
Balance and Harmony: Radiant by Felrath Hines
Applying countless layers of color gives the artist's work depth and luminosity
Women's Films, All of Our Futures
Join us at SAAM for the second Women Filmmakers Festival March 6 and 7
How Native Women Artists Guided the Creation of Hearts of Our People
How Native Women Artists Guided the Creation of Hearts of Our People
The groundbreaking exhibition at the Renwick features more than 80 works from antiquity to the present
Luce Unplugged: Five Questions for Des Demonas
Learn more about Des Demonas in advance of their appearance at Luce Unplugged on February 13, 2020.
Beyond the Studio with Katherine Akey
Beyond the Studio with Katherine Akey
Get to know local artist, Katherine Akey, in advance of her Beyond the Studio Workshop on February 9, 2020.
Before There Was Beyoncé, There Was Humboldt
Meet Alexander von Humboldt, the singular superstar of the 1800s