Artists
Visionaries in art, literature, dance, music and design who define the creative tradition
The Smithsonian Spelling Bee
On the eve of the 2011 Scripps National Spelling Bee, we present a list of some of the toughest words to spell from around the Smithsonian
June 01, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
Where Agatha Christie Dreamed Up Murder
The birthplace of Poirot and Marple welcomes visitors looking for clues to the best-selling novelist of all time
June 2011 |
By Joshua Hammer
The Story Behind the Peacock Room's Princess
How a portrait sparked a battle between an artist–James McNeill Whistler—and his patron–Frederick R. Leyland
June 2011 |
By Owen Edwards
An Unforgettable Photo of Martha Graham
Barbara Morgan's portrait of the iconic dancer helped move modern dance to center stage
June 2011 |
By Joan Acocella
The Timeless Wisdom of Kenko
A 14th-century Japanese essayist's advice for troubled times runs the gamut from quirky to prescient
June 2011 |
By Lance Morrow
The Top 10 Moments of Bob Dylan’s Career
In honor of the folk singer’s 70th birthday, we have selected 10 of the many pivotal events that have shaped his tumultuous life
May 20, 2011 |
By Jim Morrison
Weekend Events May 20-22 Celebrate Hawai’i, Very Special Arts, Renwick Craft Invitational
Events for the weekend of May 20-22 include a celebration of Hawaiian culture and the Renwick Craft Invitational
May 18, 2011 |
By Michelle Strange
Laurent Grasso’s Own Reality at Hirshhorn’s Black Box
French multimedia artist Laurent Grasso, 2008 winner of the prestigious Prix Marcel Duchamp, has a mania for naturally occurring scientific phenomenon like electromagnetic energy. He enjoys controlling reality on his own terms through his art
May 18, 2011 |
By Jeff Campagna
See Bill and Melinda Gates at the Portrait Gallery
This morning, the National Portrait Gallery unveiled its latest acquisition, a painting of the philanthropic team Bill and Melinda Gates by the New York City and Truro, Massachusetts-based artist Jon Friedman
May 17, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
Agatha Christie on the Big and Small Screen
Even though Dame Agatha may not have enjoyed adaptations of her mysteries, audiences have been loving them for decades
May 16, 2011 |
By Daniel Eagan
Weekend events May 13 - May 15: Cosmic Collisions, "Metropolis" With Music, Stripmall Ballads
Friday, May 13 Not Your Father's Planetarium ShowCosmic Collisions, a planetarium show, is the story of a speeding comet that collides with Earth's atmosphere. Zipping along at 40 million years per second, the film takes visitors on a journey through time and space that includes colossal impacts...
May 13, 2011 |
By Michelle Strange
The List- Five Must-See Butterfly Spots Around the Mall
It is said that April showers bring May flowers. So what do May flowers bring? Pollen, which attracts bees (and attacks the sinuses), and nectar which feeds the butterflies, emblematic of the welcome change in seasons. We know it's spring when we start to see butterflies again, but how do butterfli...
May 12, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
At the Portrait Gallery: The Civil Rights Legend Ambassador Andrew Young
Ambassador Andrew Young has led a distinguished career, filled with firsts. A graduate of Howard University and Hartford Theological Seminary, Young was the first black congressman from the Deep South elected since reconstruction and the first black U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Now, the c...
May 11, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
This Thursday Make it a Movie Night at the Film Forward Festival
International and indie film buffs should check out the veritable bonanza of fine selections at the Film Forward Festival coming up this Thursday night, May 12. Movies will be showing in eight Smithsonian venues on the National Mall. See below for details, and check here for ticket information.A Sm...
May 10, 2011 |
By Jeff Campagna
George Ault’s World
Structured with simple lines and vivid colors, the paintings of George Ault
captured the chaotic 1940s in a unique way
May 10, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
Events for May 9-May 13: Harry Potter, Cultural Dialogue, "Cosmic Collisions"
Monday, May 9 -- Beautiful butterfliesWith new summer hours in place, you can stroll through this special butterfly exhibit with exotic plants and live butterflies from around the world until the last entry at 6 PM. Tickets are required, however and rates are as follows: $6 for adults; $5.50 for ...
May 09, 2011 |
By Michelle Strange
Weekend Events: Asian Pacific American Heritage, Garden Fest, Mother's Day
Friday, May 6 Garden Fest!Family-friendly celebration of plants, gardens and gardening. Add to a garden mural, build a puppet, make a miniature Japanese garden and take home seeds for your garden. Saturday will include live music and a stilt walker. Location: Enid A. Haupt Garden, south of the C...
May 06, 2011 |
By Michelle Strange
At the National Portrait Gallery: Remembering the Death of Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth
As we continue our four-year-long coverage of the Civil War, highlighting the exhibitions and events around the Smithsonian Institution that commemorate the seminal moments of the war during this, its sesquicentennial, the ATM blog team focuses our attention today on the death of Col. Elmer E. Ells...
May 02, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
May 2-6 Events: Written in Bone, Smithsonian Garden Fest and More
Monday, May 2 Written in BoneFamily-friendly and hands-on. Forensic anthropology is not just for scientists! Meet at Natural History in the exhibition, "Written in Bone: Forensic Files of the 17th-Century Chesapeake," and learn to use human bones to solve mysteries. In no time at all, be an expert ...
May 02, 2011 |
By Michelle Strange
Weekend Events: Andrew Young, Kabul Museum, Poetry
Friday, April 29 Poets & PaintersCelebrate National Poetry Month! Use the paintings at the museum to inspire your poetry. View the paintings and read poetry aloud, followed by a discussion of the artwork. Free. 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. American Art Gallery. Madeline Andre and Arcynta Ali-Childs blog...
April 28, 2011 |
By Michelle Strange


