| October at SAAM is full of artful conversations and experiences. |
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Featured Program
With Drawn Arms Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Wednesday, October 9, 6:30 p.m.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
McEvoy Auditorium
Free | Registration required Explore the story behind artist Glenn Kaino’s powerful aerial sculpture Bridge, in a screening of his documentary With Drawn Arms (2020, running time 1 hour, 24 minutes). The film looks back 50 years to the moment that helped define a movement and changed the course of Olympic gold-medalist Tommie Smith’s life forever. The screening is followed by a panel discussion moderated by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie G. Bunch III, featuring Kaino, Smith, and sports journalist and professor Kevin Blackistone.
Before the screening, experience Bridge, which is currently on view in SAAM’s Luce Foundation Center. |
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| | Art Signs: Artful Conversations in ASL
Thursday, October 10, 5:30 p.m. Smithsonian American Art Museum
Meet in the F Street Lobby
Free | Registration required Curious about American art? Join us for a 30-minute in-person conversation about selected works from the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection. This program is presented in American Sign Language (ASL) with voice interpretation for hearing participants. |
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| | Handi-hour
Thursday, October 17, 5:30–8 p.m. Renwick Gallery
Rubenstein Grand Salon
$25 | Registration required Jump into fall with autumnal crafts at the Renwick Gallery! Design your own paper pumpkin decorations and enjoy cider and beer provided by ANXO. Light snacks, crafting materials, two drinks, and after-hours access to the second-floor galleries are included in the price of the ticket.
Attendees must be 21+ to attend and show a valid ID at the door. Please note space is limited for this program and registration is required. Tickets are $25 and available beginning October 3. |
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| | Bridge Gallery Conversation
Thursday, October 23, 6 p.m. Smithsonian American Art Museum
Meet in the G Street Lobby
Free | Registration required Join SAAM’s Lunder Education Chair Carol Wilson for a guided conversation about Glenn Kaino’s aerial sculpture Bridge. The work is comprised of 200 golden arms, each a casting of the outstretched right arm of American Olympian Tommie Smith, who famously bowed his head and raised his black-gloved fist in a symbolic act of protest during a medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. The monumental sculpture is part of an ongoing collaboration between Kaino and Smith and is a reflection on the power of the athlete’s gesture about 50 years after it occurred. In this interactive program, participants will explore the piece while viewing it from all three levels of SAAM’s Luce Foundation Center. |
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| | Eye-Popping Art: Tours for People with Colorblindness
Thursday, October 24, 5:30 p.m. Smithsonian American Art Museum
Meet in the F Street Lobby
Free | Registration required Join the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a docent-led tour of highlights from the museum’s collection using museum-provided, colorblind correcting glasses that bring the vibrancy of these works to life. |
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| | Art Bites Gallery Talk
Friday, October 25, 12:15 p.m.
Renwick Gallery
Free | Meet in the Renwick Gallery Lobby Join SAAM’s research fellows for this lunchtime series of gallery talks as they share new discoveries about artworks on view. Learn the stories behind these objects and how each one tells us about an ever-changing culture in the United States. Maeve Hogan, SAAM Predoctoral Fellow in American Craft and Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellow, discusses Else Regensteiner’s Red and Blue. |
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| | Día de los Muertos Family Day
Saturday, October 26, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Kogod Courtyard
Free | Registration encouraged Celebrate Día de los Muertos with the Smithsonian American Art Museum! Bring the whole family to see exciting live performances, including traditional Mexican folk dance by Corazon Folklorico, a mariachi performance by Mariachi Aguila DC, and a showcase of different Latin American music genres and dances with Sol y Rumba.
Attendees ages 12 and younger can enjoy face painting throughout the day, while visitors of all ages can participate in hands-on craft activities. Round out the day by exploring the museum’s collection with our Día de los Muertos-themed scavenger hunt. |
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| | Art in the A.M.
Tuesday, October 29, 10:30 a.m. Smithsonian American Art Museum
Meet in the G Street Lobby
Free | Registration required Spark your imagination with SAAM during Art in the A.M! Children ages 0-5 and their caregivers are invited to the museum before hours to learn, connect, and create in the galleries. In this program, participants will explore SAAM’s Luce Foundation Center before-hours, with a special focus on Glenn Kaino’s aerial sculpture Bridge. Attendees will then create their own clay artwork.
Please note space is limited for this program and registration is required. |
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The Smithsonian American Art Museum is able to create and share experiences like these thanks to funding from generous supporters like you. Thank you for ensuring that American art is available to all. Donate to support SAAM. |
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Installation photography of Glenn Kaino: Bridge, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2024; Photos by Albert Ting
Art Signs; Photo by Mary Tait
Handi-hour; Photo by Norwood Photography
Mickalene Thomas, Portrait of Mnonja, 2010, rhinestones, acrylic, and enamel on wood panel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2011.16, © 2010, Mickalene Thomas
Else Regensteiner, Red and Blue, 1969, wool and other fibers, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Helga Regensteiner Sinaiko, 2006.29.2, ©, Helga Sinaiko
Día de los Muertos Family Day; Photo by Norwood Photography |
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