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 CenterThe 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 KianoSAAM 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 UlloaThe 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.
Excellent blog and photos!