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Fine Arts

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Thieves Stole—And Maybe Burned—Millions of Dollars of Fine Art

Tens of millions of dollars of fine art may now be a pile of fine ash

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Smithsonian Displays Its Own AIDS Memorial Quilt Panel

Created by Smithsonian volunteers and staff, the panel will be on view in the Kogod Courtyard one day only, July 17

Grab some popcorn for this summer’s blockbusters.

Minions! Did You See How Much a Movie Ticket Might Cost One Day?

Best way to beat the heat, says curator Amy Henderson, is the summer blockbuster, but are they going the way of the dinosaurs

Alexander Calder’s ‘Gwenfritz’ will be reinstalled in its original location on the west side of the American History Museum in October. This mock-up shows the sculpture at its new and old home in a reflecting pool, part of Calder’s intended aesthetic.

How Do You Freshen Up an Alexander Calder? Bolt by Precious Bolt

Alexander Calder’s 40-foot black steel sculpture is getting a makeover and then returning to its original location near the American History Museum

What do you see?

Fruits and Veggies Get a Close-Up

In the darkroom, photographer Ajay Malghan creates abstract art by casting light through thin slices of produce

Bring your friends to the Renwick Gallery for a night of craft art and craft beer at an adults-only DIY how-to.

Events July 9-11: Verbal Gymnastics, Craft Art and Beer and West African Music and Storytelling

This week, unlock your inner poet, make DIY garden-themed craft art and drink craft beer and sway to the beat of West African music and storytelling

Continue the patriotic celebration Friday, July 5, with the United States Air Force Band, which will perform at the Air and Space Museum.

Events July 5-7: Listen to Air Force Tunes, Dance the Day Away and Get Local with Art

This weekend, listen to sounds of the U.S. Air Force Band, participate in a day of dance and get a glimpse of a local artist’s perspective on art

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The Amazing Public Art Deep in the Heart of Texas

Houston has a healthy allowance for beautifying its streets and parks. See how it spends it

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These Bright Webs Depict Flight Patterns Around Major Airports

Software engineer Alexey Papulovskiy has built Contrailz, a site that generates visuals of flight data over cities around the world

A Museum in New York City Is Exhibiting Fragments of a Melting Glacier

After the exhibition concludes, the ice will be relinquished to its original fate - a melted puddle

“A Democracy of Images,” open today at the American Art Museum, features 113 images that span the history of American photography, including William Eggleston’s Tricycle (Memphis), c. 1975.

How American Photography Went From Family Portraits to Art Form

A new exhibition at the American Art Museum show photography’s role in the development of democracy in America

Hear the voices of the Navy this Friday at the Air and Space Museum, where the Navy Band Sea Chanters and The Anchor Sisters will perform.

Events June 28-30: Navy Band Sea Chanters, Hungarian Folk Dance and ‘Cold War’

This weekend, listen to Navy sea chanteys, dance like a Hungarian and check the Hong Kong action-thriller “Cold War” on the big screen

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Photos of MLK at Work: The Civil Rights Leader Before and After His “I Have a Dream” Speech

The National Portrait Gallery looks at the work of Martin Luther King beyond his most famous hour

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Smithsonian Creates America’s Family Photo Album, Featuring You

Help create the ultimate album with your own memories and photographs from visiting the museums

A horticulturist from the Natural History Museum will give a tour of the Butterfly Garden and provide tips on how to attract butterflies to your own backyard greenery.

Events June 25-27: Electrical Inventions, Revolutionary Knowledge and Butterfly Gardens

This weekend, take a glimpse into Nikola Tesla’s life, sharpen your knowledge on revolutionary figures and tour the Butterfly Garden

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This Incredible Art Installation Makes It Rain, Everywhere But On You

“Rain Room,” on display at MoMA, is an indoor downpour that detects the presence of people and adjusts to keep them dry

In the Lunder Conservation Center Paper Lab with conservator Kate Maynor

A Visit to the Lunder Conservation Center Art Doctor

The pros at the Lunder Conservation Center offer helpful advice for collectors, including our own Jesse Rhodes

Professional skateboarders and a panel of experts will talk about creativity and innovation in the skating world and provide tips, tricks and demonstrations Saturday.

Events June 21-23: Meet Choctaw Princesses, Skate Like the Pros and Unplug with Vandaveer

Experience the culture of the Choctaw people, learn about innovations in skateboarding and get in touch with your folksier side with Vandaveer

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The Beautifully Strange Photography of Roger Ballen

A retrospective exhibit includes 55 works and the artist’s video collaboration with South Africa’s hip-hop-rave duo Die Antwoord

Elvis on the Southern Railroad between Chattanooga and Memphis, Tenn. July 4, 1956

Hanging Out with Elvis in Fort Worth

Hitting the road this month, curator Amy Henderson follows her show “Elvis at 21” to Texas

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