People
These influential artists, celebrities, leaders and scholars have shaped our world
Women’s History Month at the Smithsonian
From a Confederate spy to a deepwater researcher, women are everywhere and the Smithsonian is telling their stories
March 05, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The Greatest R&B Singer Who Never Existed
How the make-believe alter ego of an imaginative teen in the 1970s won him the fame he always dreamed of 40 years later
March 05, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Events March 5-7: Understanding Contemporary Art, Québec Microbrews and Lute Player Naseer Shamma
This week, learn how to interpret contemporary art, taste some Canadian microbrews and listen to one of the world's best flute players
March 04, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Transforming Raw Scientific Data Into Sculpture and Song
Artist Nathalie Miebach uses meteorological data to create 3D woven works of art and playable musical scores
March 01, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Jane Goodall Reveals Her Lifelong Fascination With…Plants?
After studying chimpanzees for decades, the celebrated scientist turns her penetrating gaze on another life-form
March 2013 |
By Jane Goodall
Events March 1-3: A thriller film, a Women’s Suffrage Festival and Influential African American Women
This week, see Nicole Kidman melt down, celebrate women's rights and learn about great African American women you've never heard of
February 28, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Snakes in a Frame: Mark Laita’s Stunning Photographs of Slithering Beasts
In his new book, Serpentine, Mark Laita captures the colors, textures and sinuous forms of a variety of snake species
February 26, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
The Dead Woman Who Brought Down the Mayor
Vivian Gordon was a reputed prostitute and blackmailer—but her murder led to the downfall of New York Mayor Jimmy Walker
February 25, 2013 |
By Rachel Shteir
Events February 26-28: A Garden Scavenger Hunt, Japanese Flute and Drums and Author Taylor Branch
This week, get active in Smithsonian's gardens, jam out to jazz on traditional Japanese instruments and meet the author of The King Years
February 25, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Oscar Redux: Life is a Cabaret; An Old Friend is Back
For the 40th anniversary of the Oscars that made Cabaret a classic, actor Joel Grey stops by the Smithsonian for a special donation and screening
February 22, 2013 |
By Amy Henderson
The Story of How An Artist Created a Genetic Hybrid of Himself and a Petunia
Is it art? Or science? With DNA, Eduardo Kac pushes the limits of creativity and ethics
February 22, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Eleanor Roosevelt and the Soviet Sniper
Lyudmila Pavlichenko was a Soviet sniper credited with 309 kills—and an advocate for women's rights. On a U.S. tour in 1942, she found a friend in the first lady.
February 21, 2013 |
By Gilbert King
Interview: Jane Goodall on the Future of Plants and Chimps
The renowned chimp expert discusses her new book, her efforts to protect the rainforest and why she misses living with chimps
February 21, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Renwick, the Grand Dame of Washington, Is Slated for Rehab
The historic 1859 art gallery, which has served many other purposes in its lifetime will undergo a two-year renovation
February 20, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Locking Eyes With Spiders and Insects
Macrophotographer Thomas Shahan takes portraits of spiders and insects in the hopes of turning your revulsion of the creatures into reverence
February 20, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Birds and Bards: Beautiful Japanese Images from the Edo Period
Everything from parrots to gossipy novels influenced art in Japan between 1603 to 1868
February 20, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Events February 19-21: Native Voices, a Modern Silent Film and Trumpet Jazz
This week, watch films by American Indian youths, see Academy Award-winner "The Artist" and snap your fingers to some world-class jazz
February 19, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Into the Cave of Chile’s Witches
Did members of a powerful society of warlocks actually murder their enemies and kidnap children?
February 19, 2013 |
By Mike Dash
“Freakish Absurdities:” A Century Ago, An Art Show Shocked the Country
The Armory Show provoked reactions of love and hate; today it is recognized as changing American art forever
February 15, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
