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
Celebrating the renowned artist whose community-based practice involves interactions at the border.
A detail of a painting showing five women and the institutions they built.
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.
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.
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
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work.
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 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
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work.
Detail of abstract painting showing different bands of different colors.
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
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
Uncovering the memory and meaning of historic sites
SAAM
Abstract sculpture
From the Collection 12/21/2023
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.
Celebrating the art and life of artist Miriam Schapiro
Landscape of U.S. capital with marsh land in front of it.
From the Collection 12/04/2023
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.
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
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
Celebrating the renowned artist whose work questions misconceptions around Native identity
A woven robe with fringe and patterns of brown, blue and white with a yellow border.
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
Award winning composer Raven Chacon combines Diné (Navajo) worldviews with Western classical and avant-garde music traditions
SAAM