SAAM Stories

A black and white photograph of Edith Massey standing in front of her store.
Exhibitions From the Collection 01/19/2022
Elinor Cahn: Photographer and Poet of East Baltimore in the 1970s
Exploring the spirit of one American neighborhood in a time of change
Headshot of a woman with brown hair wearing a gray jacket
Krystle Stricklin
NEA Curatorial Fellow
Detail of a quilt featuring images of Martin Luther King Jr.
Education 01/14/2022
Teaching a More Complete Picture of MLK
While Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, there’s more to his life and legacy than that single story. Smithsonian educators share approaches to expand classroom lessons and student understanding of this great civil rights leader.
A photograph of Phoebe Hillemann
Phoebe Hillemann
Teacher Institutes Educator
Candra Flanagan
Eden Cho
Two panels of an illustrated comic. On the left, the artist is sculpting marble while people look on in the foreground. On the left, she stands in front of the finished artwork "The Death of Cleopatra."
Women Artists 01/13/2022
Drawn to Edmonia Lewis
Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Cover of a 1976 calendar featuring a graphic scene of Mexican people with food.
Chicano Graphics Exhibitions 01/06/2022
Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: The Bounty of the Calendario de Comida
Exploring tradition, place, and social justice through food
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
Two glass goblets side by side. The left has serpents on the stem, the right is a floral design.
Exhibitions From the Collection 01/05/2022
Ringing in the New Year with Venetian Glass Goblets: “Auld Lang Syne” Edition
Take a closer look at four fabulous glasses to inspire a virtual celebratory toast to 2022
A photograph of a woman.
Katie Hondorf
Public Affairs Specialist
A holographic figure in a dark room behind a velvet rope and drapes.
From the Collection New Acquisitions 12/31/2021
Growing a Mindful Collection in 2021
Ten artworks we are excited to add to SAAM’s collection
SAAM
Image of two people looking at Mastodon bones
Exhibitions 12/28/2021
Capturing Humboldt in the 21st century using an 18th-century tool
Discover how one local teacher is inspired by the world of Alexander von Humboldt
Carol Wilson
Visitor image from New Glass Now
Exhibitions 12/23/2021
Discover Mind-Blowing Glass Art Through Selfies and Pics at the Renwick Gallery
Stop scrolling and discover the sparkling, flashing sights of New Glass Now
Ashley Reese
A large-scale throne made of found objects.
From the Collection 12/16/2021
Taking a Closer Look at James Hampton’s The Throne of the Third Heaven
Our video series American Art Moments takes a closer look at a powerful yet enigmatic installation in SAAM’s collection by a self-taught artist
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Musician Drew Dave sits on a porch wearing a black hat and black t shirt.
Luce Foundation Center Five Question Interviews 12/14/2021
Podcast Release: Music and Conversation with Drew Dave
Producer Drew Dave discusses his approach to making beats and how working with one of his heroes changed his self-image.
Anne Wilsey
Program Specialist for the Luce Foundation Center
A Byzantine necklace
Exhibitions From the Collection 12/08/2021
The Mystery Around a Byzantine-style Necklace
Uncovering the secrets of one of SAAM’s treasures
A photograph of a woman standing in an art gallery with busts behind her.
Ariel O'Connor
Objects Conservator
Sarah Montonchaikul
Portrait of a woman with blood dripping form her head.
Programs Women Artists 11/30/2021
Body and Blood in Ana Mendieta’s Filmwork
Learn about the legacy of groundbreaking artist Ana Mendieta and how she examined urgent political, personal, and artistic questions through her artwork
This is a photograph of curator Saisha Grayson
Saisha Grayson
Curator of Time-Based Media
Dark starry night sky
From the Collection 11/26/2021
Black Friday Art Browsing
Not to be shady, but sometimes the cure for Black Friday stress is art
Amy Fox
Social Media and Digital Content Specialist
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Large scale installation of fabric made of woven linen with madder dye, on a wodden board.
Contemporary Craft Women Artists 11/18/2021
Sonya Clark’s “Monumental” Achievements
Examining historical imbalances and the roots of racial injustice through fiber art
Photograph of Nora Atkinson by Libby Weiler.
Nora Atkinson
The Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge, Renwick Gallery
A close up crop of a screenprint of Frida Kahlo's face.
Chicano Graphics Education 11/15/2021
Bringing Chicanx Stories Into the Classroom Through Art
Museum educators share Chicanx posters with teachers around the world
A photograph of Anne Showalter in front of Superhighway.
Anne Showalter
Digital Interpretation Specialist
Landscape of mountains with Native motifs overlayed.
From the Collection Women Artists 11/10/2021
Kay WalkingStick and the Indigenous Presence in American Landscape Painting
A look at three paintings that represent three different decades of the artist’s vibrant career
A photograph of Melissa Ho by Jeff Elkins
Melissa Ho
Curator (20th-Century Art)
Diorama showing a miniaturized corner of a room with small paintings and glass
Exhibitions From the Collection 11/04/2021
Decorative Arts in Focus: Miniature Diorama of John Gellatly Collection
How John Gellatly’s eclectic collection of fine and decorative arts took over his New York home and six rooms in the Heckscher Building
A photograph of a woman.
Katie Hondorf
Public Affairs Specialist
open egg shaped basket with flash drive inside
Contemporary Craft Exhibitions 11/02/2021
Native American Arts in Focus: Sustaining Traditions—Digital Memories
Discover how artist Kelly Church is ensuring that centuries of Indigenous traditions are preserved for future generations with her beautifully woven basketry.
Ashley Reese