SAAM Stories

An art conservator holds a vacuum nozzle on a piece of artwork.
From the Collection Conservation 05/01/2024
Caring for an American Art Treasure
A peek into the world of conservation and the meticulous care of James Hampton’s The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millennium General Assembly.
Photo Anna Nielsen
Anna Nielsen
Conservation Program Coordinator
Eliza Macdonald
Katya Zinsli
Detail of illustrated portrait of Emma Amos.
Women Artists 04/26/2024
Drawn to Emma Amos
Painter, printmaker, and textile artist Emma Amos created colorful multi-media works that explore themes of identity.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Detail of Phoebe Kline. She is sitting in front of orchids and smiling.
Behind-the-Scenes Education 04/18/2024
What's It Like to Be a Docent at SAAM for Fifty Years?
Docent Phoebe Kline began at SAAM in 1974 and she's still going strong.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A photograph of a woman in front of artwork
From the Director 04/08/2024
Director's Letter: Spring Ahead
More visitors and new exhibitions highlight a season of change.
 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
Marian Anderson and symbols that surround her life
Exhibitions From the Collection 04/05/2024
A Portrait of Marian Anderson
William H. Johnson portrayed the singer in multiple paintings, including in his Fighters for Freedom series.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A detail of a vibrant painting with a dark navy blue circle on the right surrounded by concentric circles of reds, oranges, and yellow.
Exhibitions From the Collection 04/02/2024
Reflecting on the Natural Wonders of an Eclipse
As we gather to celebrate this year’s eclipse, Alma Thomas, whose painting The Eclipse is featured in SAAM's collection, noted the influence of natural phenomena on her work.
A photograph of a woman.
Katie Hondorf
Public Affairs Specialist
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