Virtual and In-Person Programs at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery in Washington DC
Join us for upcoming virtual and in-person programs. Enjoy American art no matter where you are. Please see each program listing for details; registration is required via Eventbrite.
Programs are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
May 2022 Programs
America InSight Online: Verbal Description Tours
Thursday, May 5, 5:30 p.m. ET
Join the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a docent-led virtual tour designed for participants who are blind or have low vision. Discover highlights from the collection through rich verbal descriptions that invoke a multisensory experience.
Location: Online
Tickets: Free | Registration Required via Eventbrite
Event Link
In-person Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass Gallery Talk
Thursday, May 5, 5:30 p.m. ET
Travel to Venice and discover the magic of the city’s nineteenth-century artistic revival during this in-person tour of Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass: American Artists and the Magic of Murano. Join Diana Jocelyn Greenwold, the Lunder Curator of American Art at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art and contributor to the Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass exhibition catalogue, for a closer look at how women, lacemaking, and a group of prominent American artists working in Venice inspired a broader story of American art and cross-cultural influences.
Space is limited to allow for social distancing. Registration is required and will be available starting April 28.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and G Streets, NW, Washington, DC
Tickets: Free | Registration Required via Eventbrite
Event Link
In-Person Exhibition Open House: This Present Moment
Friday, May 13, 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. ET
Experience American craft like never before during this in-person open house at SAAM’s Renwick Gallery. Be one of the first to see our newest exhibition, This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World, which activates both floors of gallery space with artworks that honor the history of studio craft while also introducing progressive contemporary narratives.
Featuring artists like Bisa Butler, Sonya Clark, Sharon Kerry-Harlan, Preston Singletary, and Wanxin Zhang, this exhibition highlights the role that artists play in our world to spark essential conversations, stories of resilience, and methods of activism—showing us a more relational and empathetic world.
Join Nora Atkinson, the Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge, and Mary Savig, the Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft, for special gallery talks about the exhibition and the history of the Renwick Gallery, as the nation’s preeminent center for the enjoyment of American craft. Bring the whole family and discover more than 100 new artworks, never before seen at the Renwick Gallery, with a special self-guided scavenger hunt.
Gallery Talk Schedule:
11 a.m. Tour with Mary Savig
1:30 p.m. Tour with Nora Atkinson
Location: Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW, Washington, DC
Tickets: Free | Registration Required via Eventbrite
Event Link
This Present Moment Opening Party
Friday, May 13, 2022, 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. ET
Let’s raise a glass and toast to fifty years of the Renwick Gallery and celebrate the opening of This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World! Experience American craft like never before while enjoying fabulous food and drinks during this in-person exhibition opening party. Be one of the first to explore the nearly 150 artworks, including 135 new acquisitions on view for the first time at the Renwick Gallery. This Present Moment marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery as the nation’s preeminent center for the enjoyment of American craft by honoring the history of studio craft while also introducing progressive contemporary narratives. Featuring artists like Bisa Butler, Sonya Clark, Sharon Kerry-Harlan, Preston Singletary, and Wanxin Zhang, this exhibition highlights the role that artists play in our world to spark essential conversations, stories of resilience, and methods of activism—showing us a more relational and empathetic world. Ticket price includes a preview of the exhibition, savory and sweet treats, open bar, valet parking, and entertainment. Festive attire encouraged.
Location: Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Tickets: $100 – $200 | Registration Required via Eventbrite
Event Link
In-Person Handi-hour
Thursday, May 19, 5:30 p.m.–8 p.m. ET
Handi-hour is back and better than ever! Join us for DC’s original crafting happy hour for its in-person return to the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. Create your very own mini macramé piece while sipping on craft cider from DC-based ANXO Cidery. Then, explore our latest exhibition, This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World, which activates both floors of gallery space.
Tickets ($20) include two drinks, crafting supply kits, and light snacks. Space is limited to accommodate social distancing. Registrants must be 21 years or older to attend and must present a valid ID.
Please note that space is limited for this program, and registration is required. Tickets are available starting May 5.
Location: In-person | Renwick Gallery, 2nd Floor: Rubenstein Grand Salon
Tickets: $20 | Registration Required via Eventbrite
Event Link
Luce Unplugged Podcast Release: Luce Listening Party with Hometown Sounds and Sir E.U.
Friday, May 20
Luce Unplugged has gone digital! SAAM’s Luce Foundation Center has teamed up with Paul Vodra and Anthony Porecco of local music podcast Hometown Sounds to feature music and conversations from DC artists. Hear from Sir E.U., a multimedia artist whose rap lyrics include both political commentary and metaphysical explorations.
Listen to this episode and subscribe to the Hometown Sounds podcast now!
SAAM is celebrating ten years of Luce Unplugged and our local music community! Check out our anniversary page and enjoy performance recordings, interviews, and special content highlighting the amazing local musicians who have performed in the museum’s Luce Foundation Center as part of this popular concert series.
Location: Online
Tickets: Free | Registration Not Required
Event Link
Beyond the Studio Virtual Workshop: Paper Flower Making with Emily Paluska
Sunday, May 22, 1–2 p.m. ET
Emily Paluska of Revery Paper Flora is back this spring to lead her popular paper flower making workshop with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Join us for this engaging virtual workshop and learn the fundamentals of how to create one-of-a-kind floral design masterpieces. Register now. Tickets will sell out fast!
Tickets include the cost of materials needed for the activity, instructions, and postage. Materials kits will be shipped to participants in advance of the program. Please note that space is limited for this program, and registration is required. Join the waitlist at Eventbrite.
This program is presented in collaboration with Revery Paper Flora.
Location: Online
Tickets: $15 | Registration Required via Eventbrite
Event Link
Double Take Online: Feast Your Eyes
Wednesday, May 25, 1 p.m. ET
Bring your appetite for art and food history and dig into Breakfast Tacos with two Smithsonian experts. This rich photograph by artist Chuck Ramirez magnifies the remnants of a hearty meal to reveal the personal and cultural significance of the foods we eat. Join Claudia Zapata, curatorial assistant for Latinx art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and Steve Velasquez, curator for the division of home and community life at the National Museum of American History, for this engaging virtual program.
This program is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Double Take series. Widen your perspective on American art as Smithsonian specialists from different disciplines team up to talk about artworks from SAAM’s collection. This popular series features experts from an array of fields—from anthropology and geology to aeronautics and history—and shows how art can connect to just about anything.
Location: Online
Tickets: Free | Registration Required via Eventbrite
Event Link
——————————
For more information on this museum, visit our Smithsonian American Art Museum page.
Event listings are provided by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery
Leave a Reply