Fine Arts
The Uncertain Promise of Freedom’s Light: Black Soldiers in The Civil War
Sometimes treated as curiosities at the time, black men and women fighting for the Union and organizing for change altered the course of history
February 01, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Lost and Found Again: Photos of African-Americans on the Plains
What would otherwise be a local-interest story became a snapshot of history integral to the American experience
February 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
An Illustrated Guide to the World’s Creation Myths
Each culture has its own version of how the universe began. Artist Noah MacMillan brings this “visual vocabulary” to life
February 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
New X-Ray Technology To Reveal Secrets Beneath a Rembrandt Masterpiece
By 1984, conservators had discovered that there was, indeed, another figure hidden beneath the Old Man in Military Costume, but they haven't been able to see who it is
January 31, 2013 |
By Lauren Kirchner
The Making of a Millennial Jazz Musician: Elijah Jamal Balbed
After being put in "baby jazz" in high school, Balbed has made a name for himself in the Washington, D.C. scene
January 31, 2013 |
By Joann Stevens
Events February 1-3: Maya Angelou, Black History Month Festivities and a Teen Poetry Slam
This week, meet world-renowned Civil Rights poet Maya Angelou, celebrate Black History Month and watch Washington D.C.'s most articulate teens battle in rhyme.
January 31, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Events January 29-31: Ancient Chinese Artifacts, Opera Masters and Rock-and-Roll Trivia
This week, see chinese artifacts once collected in a New Jersey apartment, learn about two of opera's greatest composers and show off your rock knowledge
January 28, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Museums Delay Opening Due to Weather
Smithsonian museums in the Washington, D.C. area as well as the National Zoo will open at noon Monday, due to inclement weather
January 28, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Very Seinfeld: A Museum Exhibit about Visiting Museum Exhibits
"A Day at the Museum" examines documents that tell the stories of artists' trips to museums over the past two centuries
January 25, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Q+A: How To Save the Arts in Times of War
From Iraq to Libya, Corine Wegener works to preserve priceless objects of human history
January 24, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Events January 25-27: Persian Drama, Inuit Face Tattoos and Schubert’s Fantasy
Friday, January 25: A Modest Reception Black comedy, handguns and huge bulging bags of money—three tantalizing teasers offered up in the intriguing trailer for the 2012 award-winning Persian film, A Modest Reception. The story opens on a couple from Tehran who hand out large sums of cash to the residents of an impoverished town and then documents their [...]
January 24, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
These Models Probably Never Thought They’d Be Shooting Fashion Photos With Whale Sharks
A journalist and a photographer juxtaposed beautiful women with whale sharks in order to raise awareness about the species' plight
January 23, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Origami: A Blend of Sculpture and Mathematics
Artist and MIT professor Erik Demaine makes flat geometric diagrams spring into elegant, three-dimensional origami sculptures
January 23, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Polaroid Portraits: Capturing President Obama's Second Inauguration
We sent photojournalist Tamir Kalifa to the inauguration to ask attendees why they came to the National Mall
January 23, 2013 |
By Tamir Kalifa
Inauguration Day 2013
All you need to know for the day: where to eat, rest and what to see
January 21, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Poetry Matters: Lessons From America’s First Inaugural Poet
Introducing a new monthly poetry column, just in time to offer inaugural poet Richard Blanco some advice from Robert Frost
January 17, 2013 |
By David C. Ward
How to Win Inauguration Weekend: There’s an App for That
Only one man won the election, but with free tours and insider information, you can still win the weekend. Plus hours, eating spots and where to rest your feet
January 16, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
If Only Hollywood Would Show Us Lincoln’s Second Inaugural
Our Pop Culture Curator Amy Henderson Strolls the Halls of the Old Patent Office Building Imagining the Scene of Lincoln's 1865 Inaugural Ball
January 15, 2013 |
By Amy Henderson
Events January 14-17: Higgs Boson, Up “Close” with President Obama, Modern Origami and Shiny Pots
This week, learn why the Higgs Boson particle matters, see a huge portrait of President Obama, discover modern origami and stand in DC's most opulent room
January 14, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Beautiful Artwork Cut Out of Feathers
A clever artist uses a scalpel and tweezers to cut beautiful bird silhouettes out of feathers
January 10, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
