Eye Level

Eye Level is the blog of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery. Publishing behind-the-scenes museum stories since 2005.

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  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 and Claudia on October 4, 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.

Exhibitions

Kelly Skeen on September 30, 2022

Drawn to Ester Hernandez

Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work

Chicano Graphics

Women Artists

Howard on September 27, 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.

Women Artists

Howard on September 22, 2022

Drawn to Tiffany Chung

Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work

Women Artists

Howard on September 21, 2022

Drawn to Sarah Goodridge

Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work

Women Artists

Howard on September 21, 2022

Drawn to Loïs Mailou Jones

Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work

Women Artists

Howard and on September 21, 2022

Drawn to Kay WalkingStick

Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work.

Women Artists

Howard on September 21, 2022

Drawn to Sonya Clark

Celebrating the renowned artist with a comic about her life and work

Women Artists

Howard on September 21, 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.

Women Artists

Howard on September 21, 2022

Drawn to Jaune Quick-To-See Smith

Native American artist and curator, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith combines her life experiences and tribal ties in her expressive artworks.

Women Artists

Howard on September 21, 2022

Drawn to Augusta Savage

In addition to her own success, Harlem Renaissance sculptor Augusta Savage dedicated her career to creating opportunities for Black artists.

Women Artists

Howard on September 21, 2022

Drawn to Nellie Mae Rowe

Nellie Mae Rowe’s desire to define herself sparked a joyful and colorful body of art that suffused her home and yard.

Women Artists

Howard on September 21, 2022

Contemporary Craft in Focus: still not

Artist Chawne Kimber stitches her experiences and activism in vibrant, improvisational-style quilts

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection

SAAM on September 16, 2022

Contemporary Craft in Focus: Roberto Lugo

Remixing classical ceramics and underrepresented figures with a hip-hop style

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection

SAAM on September 8, 2022

Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: Homenaje a Cesar Chavez

Exploring the life of a celebrated labor rights activist through his portrait

Chicano Graphics

From the Collection

Rebekah on September 1, 2022

Contemporary Craft in Focus: Glazescape (Green Shade)

The decadent inspiration behind Lauren Mabry's ceramics

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection

SAAM on August 25, 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

Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

Behind-the-Scenes

Amy on August 16, 2022

Translating a Visual Experience

Creating visual descriptions to help blind or low vision visitors experience and appreciate works of art

Exhibitions

Behind-the-Scenes

Craft and Decorative Arts

Hannah Owh on August 9, 2022