SAAM Stories

Two conservators, both wearing masks, re-dress the Gladys doll.
Exhibitions Conservation 11/10/2022
Possum Trot Dolls Get a Wardrobe Refresh
SAAM’s conservators find the delicate balance between original work and restoration through two dolls
Leah Bright
Detail of a mixed media artwork using a flag and military blanket
Contemporary Craft From the Collection 11/01/2022
Native American Arts in Focus: Edson’s Flag
Marie Watt honors veterans and Indigenous communities through simple objects that hold powerful stories
SAAM
A close up detail of a drawn bat
From the Collection 10/28/2022
What We Do In the Art Museum Shadows
A look into the hilarious vampire mockumentary series that now appears to be haunting the museum halls.
A photograph of Sara Snyder
Sara Snyder
Former Head of External Affairs & Digital Strategies
A painting of a skull.
Chicano Graphics From the Collection 10/27/2022
Traditions and Change: The Transformation of Día de los Muertos in the United States
Chicano artists and activists blended cultural and visual traditions to create modern Day of the Dead celebrations in the U.S.
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
Marian Anderson and symbols that surround her life
Exhibitions One Smithsonian 10/19/2022
Discovering William H. Johnson’s Hidden Stories
SAAM educator Phoebe Hillemann reflects on creating resources to spark curiosity for learners of all ages who view William H. Johnson’s Fighters for Freedom series
A photograph of Phoebe Hillemann
Phoebe Hillemann
Teacher Institutes Educator
A woman stands in front of a black sculpture
From the Director 10/19/2022
Director's Letter: A Season of Artful Changes
Stephanie Stebich, SAAM's director, takes a look at exhibitions and programs and welcomes a new head curator to the museum.
 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
Conservator wearing a head lamp, shines light on a mural.
From the Collection Women Artists 10/14/2022
Using 3D Imaging To Preserve Chicana Artist Judy Baca’s Mural Uprising of the Mujeres
A behind-the-scenes look at how 3D imaging helps a mural conservator preserve Judy Baca's Uprising of the Mujeres.
Wendy Rose
An illustration of a woman drawing at a table and a group of men behind her, looking on.
Women Artists 10/13/2022
Drawn to Judy Baca
Judith Baca is a Chicana artist, professor, arts administrator, community leader, and social and cultural activist, whose murals and paintings give voice to underrepresented communities.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Detail of a mural showing an indigenous woman at the forefront of a scene of farmworkers
From the Collection One Smithsonian 10/04/2022
Judy Baca On Her Mural Uprising of the Mujeres
SAAM talks with the artist about her inspirations and the process of creating a portable mural
Wendy Rose
A photograph of Claudia Zapata
Claudia Zapata
Former Curatorial Assistant of Latinx Art
A man seated in his living room, petting his dog.
Exhibitions 09/30/2022
A Family Affair: Collecting American Self-Taught Art
Collector Douglas O. Robson offers insights into his mother’s collecting habits, her dedication to self-taught artists, and his own collecting journey.
Kelly Skeen
Detail of comic cover depicting an illustration of the artist with protest signs behind her.
Chicano Graphics Women Artists 09/27/2022
Drawn to Ester Hernandez
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
An illustration of 10 women artists
Women Artists 09/22/2022
Comic Series Presents Ten (More) Stories About Visionaries and Rule Breakers
The comic series Drawn to Art, published online by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, features tales of inspiring women artists.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Detail of quilt that says "i / i am / i am still / i am not still / i am still not free"
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions 09/16/2022
Contemporary Craft in Focus: still not
Artist Chawne Kimber stitches her experiences and activism in vibrant, improvisational-style quilts
SAAM
A detailed crop of a highly textured ceramic vessel. The center shows a painting of the rapper Notorious B.I.G. The side handles are busts of Notorious B.I.G. on one and Tupac Shakur on the other.
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions 09/08/2022
Contemporary Craft in Focus: Roberto Lugo
Remixing classical ceramics and underrepresented figures with a hip-hop style
SAAM
Screenprint portrait of Cesar Chavez
Chicano Graphics From the Collection 09/01/2022
Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: Homenaje a Cesar Chavez
Exploring the life of a celebrated labor rights activist through his portrait
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
A detail of a ceramic sculpture with glaze which appears to have melted
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions 08/25/2022
Contemporary Craft in Focus: Glazescape (Green Shade)
The decadent inspiration behind Lauren Mabry's ceramics
SAAM
Detail of Renwick 50th Anniversary poster with the banner "This Present Moment"
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions 08/16/2022
The Art and Craft of Printmaking
The Little Friends of Printmaking have created posters for the Renwick Gallery including for the current exhibition, This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World
Amy Hutchins
SAAM Marketing Manager
A visitor stands in the gallery, reading a binder of large print labels
Access Exhibitions 08/09/2022
Translating a Visual Experience
Creating visual descriptions to help blind or low vision visitors experience and appreciate works of art
Hannah Owh