SAAM Stories

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, 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 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
Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft
Ashley Reese
A close up of a woman of color's face on a stamp.
From the Collection
01/21/2022
Edmonia Lewis and Her Stamp on American Art
Explore the life and work of this groundbreaking American sculptor
Amy Fox
Social Media and Digital Content Specialist
An illustration of an inclusive girl band.
Programs Luce Foundation Center
01/20/2022
Using Your Voice: Songwriting and Community Action with Girls Rock! DC
Noel Schroeder and Shady Rose, Co-Executive Directors of Girls Rock! DC, discuss their approach to collaborative creative experiences.
Anne Wilsey
Program Specialist for the Luce Foundation Center
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 Photography Encouraged
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