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Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery

Debris is heaped on the banks of a river.

After Hurricane Helene, Survivors Have Been in a Race Against Time to Protect Family Heirlooms, Photographs and Keepsakes

Disaster recovery isn’t just about repairing bridges, roads and homes. Conservationists from the Smithsonian were on the ground in North Carolina helping families piece their lives back together

A small black and white tv monitor displays a fuzzy image on the screen. On top of it sits a box with nobs.

See You Later, Wobbulator

Exploring Nam June Paik's innovative use of technology to transform video art.

Large-scale installation, "The Throne of the Third Heaven," made of many silver and gold component parts.

Caring for an American Art Treasure

A peek into the world of conservation and the meticulous care of James Hampton’s "The Throne of the Third Heaven."

Carved wooden figure of San Miguel en Lucha con el Demonio

Conservation of Wooden Figures from the Vidal Collection

SAAM conservators reveal layers of history behind Puerto Rican carved Santos

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Using 3D Imaging To Preserve Chicana Artist Judy Baca’s Mural "Uprising of the Mujeres"

A behind-the-scenes look at how 3D imaging helps a mural conservator preserve Judy Baca's "Uprising of the Mujeres"

Judy Baca On Her Mural "Uprising of the Mujeres"

SAAM talks with the artist about her inspirations and the process of creating a portable mural

Keara Teeter treating William H. Johnson’s Historical Scene with Mary McLeod Bethune, ca. 1945, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation. Photo by Lou Molnar

Unpacking and Preserving William H. Johnson's 'Fighters for Freedom' Series

Explore William H. Johnson’s powerful “Fighters for Freedom” series through the lens of a conservator.

Level Up: Playing to Document and Preserve Video Games

Ever wonder what it takes to conserve and preserve video games? Our collections care initiative fellow at SAAM tells us how.

The

Mysteries of the First Mastodon

Conservator Ariel O'Connor unearths the mysteries behind Charles Willson Peale’s mastodon.

Detail of Bill Traylor’s Untitled (Brown Pig), April 1940, pencil and opaque watercolor on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Margaret Z. Robson Collection, Gift of John E. and Douglas O. Robson, 2016.38.70

Handle with Care: Consolidating Bill Traylor’s Artwork

Paper Conservator Catherine Maynor shares her experience examining and treating Bill Traylor’s artwork.

Matthew Fields (left) assessing a diorama at the University of Delaware in 2017

Conservation: A Tale of Two Summers

Matthew Fields was a recent pre-program intern at the Lunder Conservation Center, as part of the Smithsonian Conservation Internship for Broadening Access (CIBA). He is currently a senior at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, pursuing a BA in art.

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