SAAM Stories

Conservator pulling a print from the sink of water
Exhibitions Conservation 04/14/2022
Refreshing a View of Venice: How Paper Conservators Clean a Print
SAAM conservator Kate Maynor explains the delicate process of washing paper
Kate Maynor
Black and white photograph of a woman holding a monkey that is swaddled like a baby
From the Collection 04/07/2022
Depicting Love in Diane Arbus’s A woman with her baby monkey, 1971
An unexpected email reveals more about the subject of one of Diane Arbus’s celebrated portraits
Photography of John Jacob by Friedrich Nill.
John Jacob
McEvoy Family Curator for Photography
Roman glass bowl
Exhibitions Conservation 04/01/2022
A Fragile Roman Mosaic Glass Bowl Reveals Its Secrets
Go behind-the-scenes with conservators who make a fascinating discovery about a rarely seen Roman glass bowl
Katya Zinsli
A holographic figure in a dark room behind a velvet rope and drapes.
From the Collection New Acquisitions 03/29/2022
Exploring the American Psyche with Carrie Mae Weems
On the multimedia installation, Lincoln, Lonnie, and Me, recently acquired by SAAM
This is a photograph of curator Saisha Grayson
Saisha Grayson
Curator of Time-Based Media
Bubble graph with interconnected data points.
One Smithsonian Technology 03/25/2022
Building a Web of Knowledge Through Wikidata
This Women's History Month, learn how SAAM is using open data platforms to increase the visibility of artists represented in the collection
Sonoe Nakasone
The two members of Astra Via sit on a couch wering matching black turtleneck sweaters.
Luce Foundation Center Five Question Interviews 03/24/2022
Podcast Release: Music and Conversation with Astra Via
SAAM's Luce Foundation Center is teaming up with DC local music podcast Hometown Sounds to bring you music and conversations from your favorite artists.
Anne Wilsey
Program Specialist for the Luce Foundation Center
Three women sitting side-by-side preparing food
Exhibitions From the Collection 03/22/2022
Through the Lens of Photographer Linda Rich
A look into the daily lives of women living in one close-knit Baltimore neighborhood
Headshot of a woman with brown hair wearing a gray jacket
Krystle Stricklin
Assistant Curator of Photography
Artist Augusta Savage with her sculpture
Women Artists 03/18/2022
Presenting Ten More Visionaries and Rule Breakers in SAAM's Collection
The Drawn to Art comic series continues to share the lives of women artists you should know
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Gabrielle Ching
An illustration of an artist weaving at a loom with a vivid blue background with winding orange lines.
Women Artists 03/10/2022
Drawn to Anni Albers
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A pink neon sign that reads "This Present Moment Used to be the Unimaginable Future."
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions 03/08/2022
Contemporary Craft in Focus: This Present Moment
Discover the inspiration and call to action behind this monumental neon artwork
SAAM
Landscape of mountains with Native motifs overlayed.
From the Collection Women Artists 03/03/2022
A Closer Look at Kay WalkingStick's Distinguished Career
Our video series American Art Moments takes a closer look at the artist's career through three paintings new to SAAM’s collection
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Maddi Mae stands in front of a field of grass wearing a red dress and holding a guitar.
Luce Foundation Center Five Question Interviews 02/25/2022
Podcast Release: Music and Conversation with Maddi Mae
SAAM's Luce Foundation Center is teaming up with DC local music podcast Hometown Sounds to bring you music and conversations from your favorite artists.
Anne Wilsey
Program Specialist for the Luce Foundation Center
A woman stands in front of a black sculpture
From the Director 02/24/2022
Grace, Grit, and Joy
Stephanie Stebich, the Margaret and Terry Stent Director, talks about opportunities and challenges in the coming year.
 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
An abstract painting in green and white.
Women Artists 02/15/2022
Remembering Carmen Herrera
Celebrating the renowned artist and remembering her long life and remarkable career
SAAM
A multimedia portrait of a Black woman reclining in a chair.
02/04/2022
Artists at the Center: Celebrating Black History Month
Hear Black artists speak about their life and work in a selection of videos
SAAM
Image of a boy doing lunar new year crafts
Craft Making Activities Programs 02/01/2022
Ring in the Year of the Tiger with Craft Activities
Celebrate Lunar New Year with fun virtual activities designed for the whole family!
Ashley Reese
An illustration of a young Black artist painting a portrait. Above the text reads "I could afford yarn...glitter...rhinestones..."
Women Artists 01/27/2022
Drawn to Mickalene Thomas
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Installation view of New Glass Then
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions 01/24/2022
New Glass Now vs. New Glass Then
Discover the history of SAAM’s Renwick Gallery through Glass
A photograph of a woman with brown hair and a dress standing inside a building.
Mary Savig
The Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge for the Renwick Gallery
Ashley Reese