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Artists

Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe: Pioneer, Genius, Oddity

On this day in 1849, America lost an innovative, unique and utterly strange literary giant

The film Shadow Magic features the arrival of motion pictures in China.

Weekend Events Oct. 7-9: Native Americans and the Courts, Balloons and Blimps and Shadow Magic

Understand how the U.S. courts system has affected Native Americans, learn about the science of balloons and take in a Chinese film at the Freer gallery

Film still from 55 Days at Peking (1963)

The List: Top Eleven Things to Do this Month at the Smithsonian After Work

Date night at the Smithsonian, grab your special someone and head out to these after-hours events

Andy Warhol, "Shadows," 1978-79. Dia Art Foundation. Copyright 2011 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

A Fresh Look at Andy Warhol

Hirshhorn curator Evelyn Hankins discusses the new Warhol show, on view through January 15, 2012

See the documentary "Columbus Day Legacy" this Saturday at the American Indian Museum.

Weekend Events Sept. 30 – Oct. 2: Treasures at the Museum, Columbus Day Legacy, and Portrait Discovery

This weekend, get a book autographed, see a thought-provoking documentary, and see the Portrait Gallery in a whole new way

Empress Dowager Cixi strikes a pose

The Extreme Makeover of Empress Dowager Cixi

China’s Empress Dowager commissioned portraits—now on display at the Sackler Gallery—in an attempt to polish her public image

Visit the Peacock Room, restored to its 1908 condition

Events Sept 26-29: Great Apes, The Peacock Room, Immigrants and Revolutionists, and Talking About Andy

This week, learn from gorillas, see a masterpiece of Asian art, play a pop quiz, and hear from an expert about Andy Warhol

Historian Amy Henderson at work, wearing her boa

Historian Amy Henderson: Movies Make Museums Move

Guest blogger Henderson ponders the idea that the big screen deserves its own gallery

For the first time ever, all 102 of Andy Warhol's Shadows are installed together, at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden through January 15.

Bringing Andy Warhol’s Shadows to the Hirshhorn

Later in his career, the 20th century painter explored abstract art in numerous large paintings

"B.B. King," by Morgan Monceaux.

Celebrating B.B. King, the Face of the Blues

A look back at the American music icon

Kogod Courtyard is a 28,000-square-foot space with seating, free Wi-Fi and a Courtyard Café.

The List: Five Study Nooks in and Around the Smithsonian Museums

Calling all students, finding it hard to concentrate on your studies, we recommend five cool places to hit the books

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The Different Faces of Korean Heritage at the Portrait Gallery

Artist CYJO discusses The KYOPO Project, a portrait ensemble of more than 200 individuals born in Korea, but living abroad

Learn about the Andean Chawaytiri community at Jose Barreiro's lecture.

Events Sept 12-15: The Star-Spangled Banner, The Chawaytiri of Peru, Smith Art Lecture, and Airmen of Note

See American history come alive, listen to lectures by distinguished speakers, and enjoy the sounds of one of the country’s top jazz bands

Thoreau daguerreotype

Thoreau Leaves Walden Pond

On this day in 1847, Henry David Thoreau ended his celebrated time in solitude and took up the great task of writing about it

The Leaf-tailed Gecko

Events September 6-8: Zoo Photo Club, Hands-on Astronomy and ASL Art Tour

This week, learn how to photograph exotic animals, get a telescopic look at the sky, and see American Art through a new perspective

Come see animals like this porcupine at mealtime.

Events August 29-September 1: Zoo Cuisine, “For All the World To See,” Let’s Eat!, Apache 8

This week, see feeding time for exotic animals, get a guided tour of the Civil Rights movement and more

Still from "67 Bows" (2006) by Nira Pereg

Flamingos Duck for Cover in the Hirshhorn’s New Black Box Installation

Sketch of Capote. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the artist

Truman Capote, America’s Author-Celebrity

Just a few decades ago, one of the country’s biggest superstars was a writer. Capote’s story goes from pariah to celebrated socialite and back again

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Events August 22-25: Addy’s World, Draw & Discover, Child of the Civil Rights Movement and More

Take a tour through American history, create your own art, listen to an author speak about civil rights, and enjoy a tour of an exhibition soon to close

Men of Progress

Meet Amy Henderson, Historian at the National Portrait Gallery

Our guest blogger ponders the “spirits” of America’s heroes and their legacies as she walks the museum’s hallways

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