SAAM Stories

View of SAAM gallery.
Exhibitions 09/22/2023
New Perspectives: Welcome to American Voices and Visions
Your favorite pieces from SAAM’s collection are now on display alongside new works in the redesigned modern and contemporary galleries
SAAM
A photograph of a woman in front of artwork
Exhibitions From the Director 09/22/2023
Director’s Letter: Reopened and Reimagined
SAAM's renovated and reimagined modern and contemporary galleries transform the museum’s third floor into spaces for wonder and reflection
 Stephanie Stebich, SAAM's Margaret and Terry Stent Direction in the museum's Lincoln Gallery. Photo by Gene Young. 
Stephanie Stebich
The Margaret and Terry Stent Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery
A photograph of a person standing in front of an artwork. She is wearing earbuds and holding her phone up to the work.
Exhibitions Technology 09/20/2023
Experience the Museum Your Way With New Audio Tours
SAAM teamed up with the digital firm Smartify to create a series of audio tours that deepen the visitor experience, both in our galleries and online.
SAAM
Photograph of two conservators working on a canvas.
Exhibitions From the Collection 09/19/2023
Technology Catches Up: A Conservation Story About Morris Louis’s Painting Beta Upsilon
The development of a new laser technology allowed for the successful conservation treatment and return of this important color field painting to public view
Photo Anna Nielsen
Anna Nielsen
Conservation Program Coordinator
An illustration of a group of 10 women artists.
Women Artists 09/14/2023
Drawn to Art Returns with Ten New Digital Comics About Inspiring Women
SAAM's comic series launches ten more stories of remarkable women artists
Emma Hitchcock
Detail of a portrait of Sandra Cisneros
From the Collection 09/13/2023
In Focus: The Protagonist of an Endless Story
Uncovering the passion and power behind Angel Rodríguez-Díaz’s portraiture
SAAM
A man stands drawing on a white board.
Exhibitions From the Collection 09/01/2023
Where Creative Growth Happens: The Word on Dan Miller
The second part of an interview with Tom di Maria, director emeritus of the Creative Growth Art Center
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Three people sit at a table. Racks of clothes hang behind them.
Exhibitions From the Collection 08/25/2023
Where Creativity Happens: On Art for People with Differing Abilities
An interview with Tom di Maria, director emeritus of Oakland's Creative Growth Art Center
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A man wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a scarf taking a selfie in the desert. A pyre is in the distance.
Exhibitions Behind-the-Scenes 08/18/2023
Embrace the Dust: A Burning Man Journal
A personal journal by museum educator Geoffrey Cohrs
A picture of a man with a green shirt and tie on standing inside a room.
Geoffrey Cohrs
Docent Coordinator
A woman with brown skin and short hair stands holding an African-inspired mask close to her face, covering one eye. In the background are bright, geometric shapes in red, blue, and yellow.
Women Artists 08/03/2023
Drawn to Loïs Mailou Jones
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Two off-white, beaded bonnets on display in a glass case. In the background is a large painting.
Exhibitions 07/28/2023
The American West Comes East
Many Wests brings a reimagining of this iconic region to SAAM
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
An illustrated portrait of a woman standing in front of a painting. She has medium brown hair, is wearing a brown jacket, and holding paintbrushes.
Women Artists 07/27/2023
Drawn to Kay WalkingStick
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Two traditional robes with traditional Alaskan Native designs side-by-side on mannequins in a gallery.
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions 07/20/2023
Chilkat and Ravenstail Weavings: Honoring Traditions
An in-depth look at Lily Hope and Ursala Hudson’s work and the traditions behind Chilkat weavings
SAAM
A screenshot of a video game with two people on top of a moving train in the desert with the sun in the background.
SAAM Arcade 07/19/2023
Move Your Body to the Beat: Music and Video Games
How do video game developers use "musical thinking" to create fun ways to play?
This is an image of Lauren Kolodkin.
Lauren Kolodkin
External Affairs and Digital Strategies Assistant
A photograph of a woman in front of artwork
From the Director 07/07/2023
Director's Letter: Voices, Visions, and Visitors
SAAM's director on current exhibitions, acquisitions, and the newly reimagined and reinstalled modern and contemporary galleries
 Stephanie Stebich, SAAM's Margaret and Terry Stent Direction in the museum's Lincoln Gallery. Photo by Gene Young. 
Stephanie Stebich
The Margaret and Terry Stent Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery
An illustration of two hands holding a miniature portrait of a woman in an oval frame.
Women Artists 06/29/2023
Drawn to Sarah Goodridge
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A group of students at a rural school sit around the table with colored trips assembling a color wheel.
Education 06/20/2023
Expanding our REACH: Rural Engagement in Art, Culture and History
SAAM's REACH program allows educators to reach out to remote learners....no matter where they are
Carol Wilson
Detail of blown glass artwork. It is circular with a face in the center.
Contemporary Craft 06/15/2023
Contemporary Craft in Focus: Ohio Goza y Más
Brothers and collaborators Einar and Jamex de la Torre bring together carefully chosen objects and humor to craft multifaceted blown glass sculptures
SAAM