Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC

One of my favorite places to visit in Washington DC is the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), which is located in the U.S. Patent Office Building, along with the National Portrait Gallery. SAAM is dedicated to presenting the 400+ year history of art produced by artists born and living in the Untied States and its colonies.

Luce Foundation Center

The museum’s permanent collection covers the entire span of European settlement in North America. It is displayed in several galleries arranged by the era produced, throughout the museum.

Indian Image by Fritz Scholder

SOB SOB by Kerry James Marshall

Double Phantom/Entro P.R. and Pa-lan-te by Miguel Luciano

People in the Sun by Edward Hopper

Sunset Dance – Ceremony to the Evening Sun by Joseph Henry Sharp

The Library by Jacob Lawrence

The White Ballet by Everett Shinn

Niagara by George Inness

General View of the Falls of Niagara by Alvin Fisher

The Horseshoe Falls by Alvin Fisher

It also includes the Luce Foundation Center, which stores and cares for the works. They are kept in a visible storage center that visitors can walk through. The center is dominated by “Bridge” by Glenn Kiano which soars down the center of the galley. It consists of two hundred casts of Tommie Smith’s right arm, the one that he raised in a Black Power saluted during the 1968 Olympics.

Bridge by Glenn Kiano

SAAM always hosts several special exhibitions. When I visited in late August, they were hosting an exhibit titled “Passion and Paradox: The Quilts of Amish Women.” This amazing show explored how the women of a population that is known for being demure and plainly dressed, create quilts that are colorful and exuberant. Unfortunately, this exhibit has already closed.

Center Diamond Variation by unidentified maker

Detail of Center Diamond Variation above

Sunshine and Shadow by unknown maker

Fans by unidentified maker

Ocean Waves attributed to Clara Beachy

A second exhibit, which is an ongoing show, is “Experiencing America.” This is a collection of works created during the 1930’s most of which were commissioned by the WPA in an effort to provide art for communities and income for artists during the Great Depression.

Skating in Central Park by Agnes Tait

Ryder’s House by Edward Hopper

Tenement Flats by Millard Sheets

Braceros by Domingo Ulloa

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is a great place to explore the history of art made in the United States. It has a great collection, and produces wonderful shows.

Nuts and Bolts
SAAM is open every day, from 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM.
There is no entrance fee to the museum.