SAAM Stories

Detail of an illustration showing a person wearing glass art standing in front of a slatted fence. The text says "Border Stories."
Women Artists 03/27/2024
Drawn to Tanya Aguiñiga
Celebrating the renowned artist whose community-based practice involves interactions at the border.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A detail of a painting showing five women and the institutions they built.
Exhibitions From the Collection 03/22/2024
Honoring the Women Fighters in William H. Johnson’s Paintings
Johnson offers historical insights and fresh perspectives of legendary women alongside less well-known changemakers
SAAM
Detail of an artwork showing children holding an American flag.
From the Collection New Acquisitions 03/18/2024
In Focus: Pledge
An item that most people carry in their pockets is key to experiencing Hank Willis Thomas's Pledge.
SAAM
Detail of abstract painting showing red tiles of paint on a white background.
Exhibitions From the Collection 03/14/2024
Dancing While Designing: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Alma Thomas’s Working Methods
Explore the themes of Music and Nature in Composing Colors: Paintings by Alma Thomas.
A photograph of a woman.
Katie Hondorf
Public Affairs Specialist
Illustrated portrait of Sister Gertrude Morgan singing and playing the tambourine.
Women Artists 03/07/2024
Drawn to Sister Gertrude Morgan
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Detail of a wooden carving of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows). She is looking up and away with her hands clasped in prayer.
Conservation 02/15/2024
Conservation of Wooden Figures from the Vidal Collection
Conservation methods reveal layers of history behind Puerto Rican Santos.
Briana Teran
Close up of the face of an African American woman looking off into the distance. Fists are raised behind her in a show of solidarity.
Women Artists 02/08/2024
Drawn to Barbara Jones-Hogu
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Detail of abstract painting showing different bands of different colors.
Exhibitions From the Collection 02/06/2024
In Focus: Light Blue Nursery
A garden blooms in Alma Thomas's exuberant painting.
A photograph of a woman.
Katie Hondorf
Public Affairs Specialist
A photograph of a woman in front of artwork
From the Director 01/22/2024
Director's Letter: Reflection, Dialogue, and Connection
Making artful connections in the new year ahead
 Stephanie Stebich, Former Margaret and Terry Stent Direction in the museum's Lincoln Gallery. Photo by Gene Young. 
Stephanie Stebich
Former Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum
Two dancers perform in SAAM's Kogod Courtyard
01/19/2024
In Focus: Performed Places
Uncovering the memory and meaning of historic sites
SAAM
Abstract sculpture
From the Collection 12/21/2023
Remembering Influential Sculptor Richard Hunt
Head curator Randy Griffey remembers artist Richard Hunt, who died December 16, 2023
Photograph of Randall Griffey
Randall Griffey
Head Curator
Detail of an illustration of the artist Miriam Schapiro. She is surrounded by flowers.
From the Collection Women Artists 12/14/2023
Drawn to Miriam Schapiro
Celebrating the art and life of artist Miriam Schapiro
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Landscape of U.S. capital with marsh land in front of it.
From the Collection 12/04/2023
Beyond the Brush: The Art of Environmental Conservation
A look at landscapes in SAAM's collection and the wildlife that lives beyond the paintings
Brynn Garner
Detail of an artwork with quotes from the Book of Revelations.
From the Collection One Smithsonian 12/02/2023
Howard Finster: Art Meets Music
Take a look into the visual art and musical legacy of Howard Finster
SAAM
A wide angle shot of six prints on the wall, divided by a hanging glass cylindrical artwork
Contemporary Craft 11/20/2023
Dive Into The World of Sustainability with Joe Feddersen
Drawing inspiration from traditional methods of collecting natural resources, artist Joe Feddersen serves as a voice for the Plateau peoples
SAAM
Illustration of the artist Wendy Red Star
Women Artists 11/15/2023
Drawn to Wendy Red Star
Celebrating the renowned artist whose work questions misconceptions around Native identity
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A woven robe with fringe and patterns of brown, blue and white with a yellow border.
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions 11/09/2023
Contemporary Native American Art in Focus: Between Worlds (Child's Robe)
An in-depth look at the ceremonial robe Between Worlds (Child's Robe) by Lily Hope (Tlingit)
SAAM
Side by side artworks displaying symbols in a musical arrangement.
Exhibitions 11/03/2023
Contemporary Native American Art in Focus: For Zitkála-Šá
Award winning composer Raven Chacon combines Diné (Navajo) worldviews with Western classical and avant-garde music traditions
SAAM