Artists
Visionaries in art, literature, dance, music and design who define the creative tradition
At the Portrait Galley, Private Art Collections Become Public
It is a widely held belief that in the largely political climate of Washington, D.C., more often that not, what you see is not necessarily what you get. And that some of the most interesting aspects of people's lives—including the more fascinating stories— are those rarely seen by the public. The s...
April 15, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
The List: What You Didn't Know About the Smithsonian in the Civil War
By now you know that this year marks the sesquicentennial of the beginning of the Civil War. And you're probably aware of the variety of events, exhibitions and programs taking place across the Smithsonian Institution commemorating that pivotal time in United States history. But what you may not kn...
April 13, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
On View at the Renwick: Judith Schaechter's Stained Glass Works Shatter Convention
According to one of Judith Schaechter's bios, she "single-handedly revolutionized the craft of stained glass through her unique aesthetic and inventive approach to materials." Judith Schaechter, while flattered by the description, wants you to know two things: one, she did not write that bio and tw...
April 13, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
150 Years Ago: The Civil War Begins
“At 4:30 AM, the heavy thud of a mortar broke the stillness. A single shell from Fort Johnson on James Island rose high into the still-starry sky, curved downward and burst directly over Fort Sumter,” writes Smithsonian writer Fergus Bordewich in his April issue feature story “Fort Sumter: The Civi...
April 12, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
Events: "Born to be Wild 3D," Smithsonian Craft Show, Disco at the Postal Museum
Monday April 11 Born to be Wild 3DBorn to be Wild 3D features the conservation efforts of primatologist Birute Galdikas with orangutans in Borneo, along with that of Dame Daphne Sheldrick's work with elephants in Kenya. Both women live near the animals, rescuing them and returning th...
April 11, 2011 |
By Michelle Strange
The Smithsonian Museums and The National Zoo Are Open
All Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are open.Don't miss out on all the events and happenings, all scheduled as planned. Tarantula feedings at the Natural History Museum. A special tour of the Kinsey Collections at American History. An Earth Day celebration at the American Art Museum.And he...
April 08, 2011 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Weekend Events: Robots on Parade, Kennedy Portraits, Creativity Award
At this time, all Smithsonian Institution museums and the National Zoo are open and the weekend's events and exhibitions are ongoing. However, in the event of a government shutdown, please note that all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will be closed. Friday April 8: CreativityDr. ...
April 07, 2011 |
By Michelle Strange
The List: Five Secret Gardens Around the Smithsonian
It seems that the weather is finally breaking and spring temperatures might be here to stay. So, the ATM blog team has come up with a list of the five best kept secret gardens and getaways around the Smithsonian Institution. Get the jump on summer and discover some great new places to take in the b...
April 06, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
Events: FONZ Photo Club, Mad Science, Mars and More
Monday April 4: FONZ Photo ClubIf you’re a shutterbug with a penchant for snapping shots of critters, come on out to the National Zoo and participate in the Friends Of the National Zoo (FONZ) photo club’s monthly meeting. Share your photos, hear from speakers and learn about new techniques that may...
April 04, 2011 |
By Michelle Strange
The Early, Deadly Days of Motorcycle Racing
Photographer A.F. Van Order captured the thrills and spills of board-track motorcycle racing in the 1910s
April 2011 |
By David Schonauer
A Velázquez in the Cellar?
Sorting through old canvases in a storeroom, a Yale curator discovered a painting believed to be by the Spanish master
April 2011 |
By Jamie Katz
Velázquez: Embodiment of a Golden Age
The magic of Velázquez has influenced artists from his contemporaries to Manet and Picasso
April 2011 |
By Jamie Katz
The Lure of Capri
What is it about this tiny, sun-drenched island off the coast of Naples that has made it so irresistible for so long?
April 2011 |
By Tony Perrottet
Weekend Events: Home School Open House, Nanotechnology and Play PHEON on Your Phone
Friday, April 1: Home-School Open House The Portrait Gallery Education Department hosts this home-school open house with mini-tours of special exhibitions, story time for children, hands-on arts activities and resources, including a Smithsonian Field Trip Kit. Free, but registration is required...
March 31, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Events: Lena Horne, Jazz History, Nanotechnology and More
Monday, March 28: March Film Screening: My Name Is KahentiiostaKahentiiosta, a young Kahnawake Mohawk woman, took part in a 78-day armed standoff in 1990 as a part of a land dispute between the Mohawks and the Canadian federal government. Arrested and imprisoned, she was detained longer than her pe...
March 28, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Maria Anna Mozart: The Family’s First Prodigy
She was considered to be one of the finest pianists in Europe, until her younger brother Wolfgang came along
March 28, 2011 |
By Elizabeth Rusch
UPDATED: Pedro Martinez Enshrined in the National Portrait Gallery
It's the rare professional athlete who gets to be known by just his first name. There's Mickey, Babe, Lebron, Kobe, Mario, Ronaldinho and a smattering of others, including Pedro, one of baseball's greatest pitchers. Tomorrow, a painting of Pedro Martinez will be added to the collections of the Nati...
March 24, 2011 |
By Brian Wolly
Weekend Events: Pocahontas, Painted Parasols and A Chinese Documentary Film
Friday, March 25: DisorderUsing footage taken by amateur filmmakers, director Huang Weikai stitched short segments together to create a one-of-a-kind documentary. The film captures the anarchy, violence and seething anxiety animating China’s major cities today, as urbanization advances at a breakne...
March 24, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Mourning the Loss of Actress Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Taylor, actress and legend of the silver screen, passed away this morning at age 79. She suffered from chronic health problems and died at Cedars Sinai Hospital from congestive heart failure, a condition she was initially diagnosed with in 2004.Born in London, Taylor began acting at ...
March 23, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Events: Stargazing, Live Tarantula Feedings, Test Your Women's History Knowledge and More
Monday, March 21: March Film Screening: My Name Is KahentiiostaKahentiiosta, a young Kahnawake Mohawk woman, took part in a 78-day armed standoff in 1990 as a part of a land dispute between the Mohawks and the Canadian federal government. Arrested and imprisoned, she was detained longer than her pe...
March 21, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
