We’re celebrating Smithsonian Associates’ connection to museums across the National Mall—and the world—in a wide range of programs in your August guide.
Did you know that one of the curators at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has long been on the trail of artifacts connected to American elections? Learn how lawn signs, campaign buttons, and other memorabilia provide insights into our political landscape (p. 16).
For more than a decade, the Smithsonian has been a key player in assisting with recovery and protection of cultural heritage around the world. Hear from a trio of speakers about how collaborations with colleagues at Ukrainian cultural institutions are supporting those efforts (p. 27). Increasing scrutiny on how Western museums have acquired treasured artifacts is the topic of a program that explores that controversy (p. 6).
The enigmatic subject of the Mona Lisa is another topic for endless debate: A set of 16th- and 17th-century copies of the masterpiece, scattered in collections from Russia to Spain, complicates the mystery (p. 41). There’s more intrigue in the story of a missing masterpiece by one of the few female members of the prestigious Paris Salon. Trace how a stunning still life by Anne Vallayer-Coster reappeared after 100 years and came to be at the National Gallery of Art (p. 43).
We send cheers to colleagues at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, which is marking its 50th anniversary with a major survey of artworks from its permanent collection. A curator discusses how the exhibition captures a shifting cultural landscape (p. 40). Step into the Hirshhorn’s galleries for two Associates studio arts programs: a morning spent drawing sculptures and a session focused on deepening your understanding of composition (p. 46).
More anniversaries are on the horizon: The Smithsonian was founded on August 10, 1846. And Smithsonian Associates is gearing up for our 60th in 2025. We can’t wait to share our plans with you!
Frederica R. Adelman, Director adelmanf@si.edu
On the cover: A Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton takes a bite out of a Triceratops horridus skeleton in the National Museum of Natural History. Photo: Gary Mulcahey National Museum of Natural History
Programs with these icons showcase Smithsonian’s world of knowledge and long-term initiatives
Smithsonian Associates In Person
We invite you to join us for selected in-person programs, concert series, and studio arts classes and workshops in our nation’s capital, as well as walking tours, full-day study tours, and overnight tours.
Kathy Reichs
Kathy Reichs: Fire and Bones
Mon., Aug. 5
Forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs is known for her crime novels chronicling the adventures of Temperance “Bones” Brennan, a forensic anthropologist at the fictional Jeffersonian Institute. Join her as she discusses the inspiration behind her latest, Fire and Bones, which centers on a Washington arson investigation that produces a surprising link to the notorious Depression-era Foggy Bottom Gang. (see p. 17)
Why We Love Football
Wed., Sept. 18
Sports columnist Joe Posnanski uses his new book, Why We Love Football, to kick off reminiscences about pivotal moments in the sport. He’s joined by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and veteran Washington Post football reporter Len Shapiro for a lively conversation about the sport moderated by Phil Hochberg, longtime stadium announcer for the Washington Football Team. (see p. 22)
Spotlight on DC’s Stages
Mon., Sept. 23
Join Amy Austin, president and CEO of Theatre Washington, dramaturg Lauren Halversen, and a panel of experts as they explore the exciting lineup of productions awaiting audiences on stages both large and small and how to make the most of their theater-going experience. Take home a curated list of the most-anticipated productions, complete with critics’ picks of shows not to be missed. Hosted in partnership with Theatre Washington. (see p. 23)
Al Roker and Courtney Roker Laga
Fri., Oct. 18
Join Al Roker and his daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, a chef by training, as they discuss the food they enjoy as a family and what it was like to write a cookbook together. Copies of Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By: Easy, Memory-Making Family Dishes for Every Occasion (Legacy Lit) are available for purchase. (see p. 28)
Smithsonian Chamber Music Society
The 48th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features musical masterpieces from the late-16th to the early 21st centuries.
The Axelrod String Quartet
Sat., Oct. 5, Dec. 14, Jan. 25, May 3
Sun., Oct. 6, Dec. 15, Jan. 26, May 4
Enjoy the unparalleled experience of being able to hear two magnificent quartets of instruments. (see p. 25)
Studio Arts
Masterworks of Five Centuries Sat., Nov. 2, Nov. 23, Dec. 7, Mar. 29, Apr. 12
Sun., Nov. 3, Nov. 24, Dec. 8, Mar. 16, Mar. 30, Apr. 13
The season presents works from composers ranging from Gibbons to Golijov. (see p. 26)
Let your creative side shine in a wide variety of hands-on classes led by professional artists. (see pp. 46–49)
Tours
Our expert-led tours offer one-of-a-kind travel experiences. (see pp. 59–65)
Joe Posnanski
2024–2025 Concert Season
Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.
Denmark’s Defiance
Protecting a Nation’s Jews During WWII
In 1943, most of occupied Europe was hunkered down against the Nazis. The people of Denmark—led by King Christian X—dared to stand up for their Jewish citizens in one of the largest actions of collective resistance to aggression in the countries occupied by Germany. Hitler ordered the arrest and deportation of Denmark’s 8,200 Jews on October 1, which coincided with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Remarkably, when the Nazis arrived to collect them, virtually all were “gone.” Amazingly, the Danish people hid, protected, and then smuggled most of the country’s Jewish population out of the country, using anything that floated to ferry them to safety in Sweden. Ultimately, over 95% of Danish Jews survived the Holocaust. Historian Ralph Nurnberger recounts this extraordinary act of courage on the part of an entire nation under severe duress.
Mon., Aug. 5, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-057; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
The Hidden History of America’s First Ladies
The role is unpaid and undefined, yet many women serving as First Lady made pivotal contributions that helped shape the United States. From early trailblazers, like Dolley Madison, to those in the role who are less wellknown, like Harriet Lane, explore how first ladies can be the definition of persistence and perseverance. Uncover forgotten legacies, such as that of Helen Taft, who helped bring the iconic Japanese cherry trees to the Tidal Basin.
Join staff from A Tour Of Her Own to hear stories of America’s first ladies, not often recognized with physical monuments but ingrained in the fabric of history.
Tues., Aug. 6, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-045; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon
Pat Nixon was voted Most Admired Woman in the World in 1972 and made the Gallup Poll’s top 10 list of most admired women 14 times. And yet the media often portrayed her as elusive and enigmatic. Drawing on new interviews with Nixon family members, friends, and staff for her new book, The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon, Heath Hardage Lee examines a figure who bore little resemblance to the woman so often described in the press.
Lee discusses the essential nature of this first lady, an empathetic, adventurous, self-made woman who wanted no power or influence but who connected warmly with both ordinary Americans and people from different cultures she encountered worldwide.
Copies of The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon: The Life and Times of Washington’s Most Private First Lady (St. Martin’s Press) are available for purchase.
Tues., Aug. 20, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-589; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
Registered for a Smithsonian Associates online program but missed it because of a schedule conflict? Wish you could take a second look at a presentation you loved? Associates Encores offers the answer to these questions—and more.
The daily ride through Copenhagen by King Christian X became a symbol of Danish sovereignty during the German occupation
Mrs. James Madison by Bass Otis, 1817
Pat Nixon, 1972
Unique Memorials of Washington
Sitting in the long shadow of the Washington Monument is one of the oddest and most obscure landmarks on the National Mall. The Jefferson Pier, a 3-foot-tall stone marker, stands due west of the monument in the middle of a grassy field. This diminutive structure marks what our third president hoped would be the center of the world.
Just to the south, nestled among cherry trees is a small 170-year-old Japanese stone pagoda. And hidden among the grand neoclassical buildings and government offices along Pennsylvania Avenue is a longneglected fountain, a testament to the sordid past of a neighborhood once known as “Murder Bay.” Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, surveys the capital’s most distinctive, surprising, and little-known monuments, memorials, and landmarks.
Wed., Aug. 7, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-096; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
The Borgias
A Scandalous Family Portrait
The Borgias—a family synonymous with murder, rape, incest, and torture—have been immortalized by historians, authors, and a pair of dueling series on Showtime and Sky. But was it all sex, simony, and scandal?
Art historian Elizabeth Lev frames their story in the context of a society rife with artistic highs and the lows of such notable figures as Savonarola and Machiavelli. She highlights the family’s political aspirations, religious conflicts, and particularly their fascinating artistic commissions—which, despite their extraordinary beauty, could not redeem the reputation of the Borgias—as well as the surprising epilogue to the clan’s inevitable downfall.
Wed., Aug. 7, 12 p.m.; CODE 1H0-824; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
The Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio encompasses more history than any other site within San Francisco. It was also the longest-operating Army base in the country when it shuttered in 1994. Historian John Martini unfolds its story that encompasses Spanish colonial settlers, 1906 earthquake refugees, more than 140 years of U.S. Army history, and the dizzying variety of military architecture found throughout the post. He also offers insights into its ongoing preservation efforts and why the Presidio’s 30-year transition
“from post to park” has become a model for the conversion of former military sites into public spaces.
Thurs., Aug. 8, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV097; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
The Spice Race
The West’s Enduring Obsession with Asia
Starting in the 15th century, Europeans embarked on dangerous maritime voyages to reach Asia. The Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, French, and British competed to acquire spices like pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom, as well as porcelain, silks, tea, and other treasures from Asia. The great names of Western exploration were driven to find new and faster routes to India, China, and other Asian sources of alluring commodities. In this quest to obtain goods from abroad, Europe built empires, established colonies, and left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Writer and former foreign correspondent Adam Tanner examines why this historic Western focus on Asia is essential to understanding our world today.
Thurs., Aug. 8, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-095; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
Japanese pagoda on the Potomac River Tidal Basin
Soldiers parade before the Montgomery Steet barracks in the Presidio as officers look on
Afonso de Albuquerque, viceroy of Portuguese India, 16th century
A Glass of Wine with Caesar Borgia by John Collier, 1893
The California Gold Rush
The Gold Rush radically altered the development and course of history for California, the United States, and the world. Sparked by the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in early 1848, it was the impetus behind one of the largest voluntary migrations of people in U.S. history. It accelerated industrial and agricultural development, provided routes to personal and economic freedom, and facilitated California’s rapid transition into statehood.
But the discovery of gold also had severe negative impacts: The Indigenous population and non-white immigrants faced severe abuse and discrimination, and many forms of mining compromised the environment. Katy Bartosh of California’s Gold Rush Museum examines the period and discusses how the zeitgeist of the Gold Rush in many ways epitomizes what came to be known as the American Dream.
Thurs., Aug. 8, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-587; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
The Rise and Fall of Agrippina
Empress of Rome, Mother of Nero
Agrippina the Younger emerges from history as an ambitious political strategist and a ruthless killer. Her rise to power is remarkable: Her mother and father were murdered when she was a child and her own brother, the emperor Caligula, abused and exiled her. And yet, Agrippina developed an impressive web of political alliances— securing a return to the center of Roman politics by her early 30s. Ancient sources seem to both admire Agrippina’s power and guile and question her methods, expressing suspicion at the many convenient deaths that paved the way for her ascendance as Roman empress. Historian Colin Elliott leads a fascinating exploration of Agrippina and the complexities of her legacy— forever intertwined with the rise and fall of Nero—and her impact on the history of ancient Rome.
Grant’s Overland Campaign
A Portrait in Command
Ulysses S. Grant’s rise during the four years of the American Civil War was nothing less than meteoric, and a critical part of his successes was his ability to communicate his strategic vision to his subordinates.
Historian Christopher Hamner uses Grant’s often-overlooked 1864 Overland Campaign as a window into his special gift for clear communication. As commander of a team of officers spread across multiple theaters, including the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, he provided his lieutenants with plans that outlined precise goals for their operations while also affording them the latitude to exploit opportunities as they arose. Grant’s effectiveness as a commander and communicator proved crucial in driving the Union toward its overall victory the following year.
Wed., Aug. 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-500; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
Mon., Aug. 12, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-060; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
The Maya of Yucatan
Ancient Monuments, Modern Lives
The Classic Maya city-states of Central America that flourished from the 3rd through the 9th centuries famously “collapsed” in the 9th and 10th. However, in the distinctive environment of the Yucatan Peninsula the Maya experienced a greater continuity, and a resurgent Post-Classic Maya culture arose that persisted uninterruptedly until the incursion of the Spanish in the 16th century. Cultural historian George Scheper leads a virtual excursion to the most storied ancient Maya sites of Yucatan and considers the historical persistence of Maya cultural life through the impacts of the Spanish colonial period, Mexican sovereignty, and contemporary international tourism. Tues., Aug. 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-335; Members $30; Nonmembers $35
Castillo at Chichen Itza
Bust of Agrippina the Younger
General Grant at his headquarters in Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 1864
In the Footsteps of St. Paul
As the chief persecutor of believers in Jesus as the Messiah, Saul of Tarsus seemed the most unlikely candidate to become the lynchpin in establishing and shaping the early days of Christianity. But as the apostle Paul, he and his associates both spread and shaped the emerging theology and began to attract gentiles, or pagans, as well.
Ori Z. Soltes, a professor of Jewish civilization, focuses on the largely urban shape of Paul of Tarsus’ missionary activity and his evolving theology and examines this remarkable transformation against the backdrop of the pagan, Greek, Roman, and Judaean worlds in which he lived and worked.
Thurs., Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-825; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
Daily Life in Tudor London
The Tudor dynasty (1485–1603) spanned just three generations of monarchs, but each left an indelible mark on the character of London. The city on the Thames bustled with the daily life of common people living in a rapidly evolving world simultaneously shaped by— and conforming to—the revolutionary changes in government, culture, and religion that ushered in early-modern England and left a legacy for the entire English-speaking world.
Historian Cheryl White examines the role that London played in securing the Tudor dynasty and illuminates this extraordinary era by looking through the lens of the ordinary Londoners who worked its docks and shops, paid taxes to the Crown, and spent their everyday lives in one of the greatest cities of the world.
It has become increasingly common for Western museums to be portrayed not as sites of preservation and education but rather as homes of works stolen by imperialist Westerners. Drawing on his upcoming book, Plunder? How Museums Got Their Treasures, historian
Justin M. Jacobs challenges that perspective, providing an overview of the five primary channels through which Western museums acquired their artifacts: military plunder, diplomatic gifts, antiquity dealers, stationary excavations, and mobile expeditions. Only by better appreciating the historical context that informed the transfer of art and antiquities from the source country to a Western museum, Jacobs argues, can calls for cultural restitution be properly assessed.
Tues., Aug. 20, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-382; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
Railroads and the National Parks Partners in Western Preservation
The conservationists who worked to create the National Park Service found willing partners in the nation’s railroads. In the golden age of rail travel people rushed to see what they considered to be a vanishing frontier, and Union Pacific and other railroads worked to preserve its landscape. When that goal became a reality with the Park Service’s founding in 1916, a mutually beneficial relationship began and extended through most of the 20th century.
Patricia LaBounty, a curator at the Union Pacific Museum, draws on archival photographs to illustrate the surprising role railroads played in the development of Western national parks and examines the history of some of their most beloved sites.
Wed., Aug. 21, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-098; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
Saint Paul Preaching in Athens by Raphael, 1516
Trestle at New Castle, Placer County, California, ca. 1860s
Emperor Justinian
Savior or Destroyer of the Roman Empire?
Emperor Justinian (527–565) is one of history’s greatest and most controversial rulers. During his reign, the Eastern Roman, or Byzantine, empire reached its largest extent since the last Western Roman emperor was deposed in 476. In addition, Justinian and his wife, Theodora, oversaw a wide-ranging series of reforms that laid the foundation for later Western law and saw the construction of the magnificent church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.
Yet Justinian’s attempts to impose religious unity on his empire failed, and his wars caused widespread devastation. Historian David Gwynn explores contradictory assessments of Justinian, from the judgments of contemporary sources to those of modern scholars.
Thurs., Aug. 22, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-383; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
Alexander Hamilton
Man, Myth, Musical , Mensch
Founding Father Alexander Hamilton fought at General George Washington’s side in the American Revolution, aided in the passage of the Constitution, and helped save the United States from financial ruin. A great leader, writer, soldier, and lawyer, Hamilton did not let his poor birthright stop him from achieving greatness.
Historian Robert P. Watson surveys the intriguing story of Hamilton’s life, including his difficult and little-known upbringing and war service. He also includes highlights of his meteoric rise to power, his many contributions to the nation, and his legacy. Do you think you already know everything there is to know about Hamilton? Along the way, Watson fact-checks the hit Broadway musical biography.
Thurs., Aug. 22, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-497; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
The Dead Sea Scrolls: Why They Matter
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the late 1940s and early 1950s forever changed the study of ancient Judaism and early Christianity. As additional documents surfaced and archaeological fieldwork continued, the understanding of these religious traditions came into greater focus.
Dead Sea Scrolls scholar Gary Rendsburg describes the discovery of these precious manuscripts, what we know about their origins, the controversies surrounding them, and their influence on the development of both ancient Judaism and early Christianity.
Tues., Aug. 27, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-334; Members $30; Nonmembers $35
Medical Practices of the Civil War
Civil War medicine often suggests squalid environments, excruciating amputations, ignorance, and chaos. According to historian Kelly Hancock, these conditions were more prevalent during the first two years of the war, when the Union and the Confederacy were unprepared to deal with the magnitude of casualties. By the end of the conflict great strides had been made as surgeons, administrators, and military professionals learned on the job.
Hancock, director of programs at the American Civil War Museum in Richmond, explores the tragedy and triumph of Civil War medical practices, discussing why disease was the deadliest foe; the treatment of the wounded; field surgery; the development of the hospital system; and the advancements that came out of the war, including the growth of nursing schools.
Wed., Aug. 28, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-099; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
Emperor Justinian I, Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy
Portrait of Alexander Hamilton by John Trumbull, 1806
Temple Scroll, column 23, one of the longest of the Dead Sea Scrolls, 2nd century B.C.E.
No presidential election in American history carried stakes as high as the contest in November 1864. Three years into the Civil War, voters would head to the polls to cast a ballot to determine not just the nation’s highest office but its very future. Lincoln’s failed Democratic challenger, former Union Gen. George B. McClellan, had promised to end the war with an honorable peace if elected—an idea that suggested recognition of the Confederacy’s independence in some form. There was no precedent for a democracy holding a general election during a national crisis, and some Republicans urged Lincoln to consider postponing the vote, to which he responded, “If the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us.”
Historian Christopher Hamner examines the months leading up to the election, drawing on primary source material from the people who witnessed the turmoil it engendered—and for whom its ultimate outcome was a frightening unknown.
In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement ended a 30-year period of violence in the north of Ireland known as “the Troubles,” but the difficult legacy of that era still overshadows politics in Ireland north and south to this day.
Historian Jennifer Paxton explores the origins of the Troubles in the partition of Ireland into the nationalist, majority-Catholic Republic of Ireland and the Unionist, majorityProtestant province of Northern Ireland resulting from the Irish War of Independence. She also discusses the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland and the prospects for Irish unity now that the United Kingdom’s territory has its first-ever nationalist first minister.
Few figures in history can match the career of Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette. It spanned over half a century during the tumultuous Revolutionary era that ushered in the modern world. Historian Alexander Mikaberidze traces Lafayette’s journey from a young nobleman to a seasoned revolutionary, from the salons of Versailles to the battlefields of the New World and back to the halls of the National Assembly in Paris.
He explores Lafayette’s famous 1824 farewell tour of the United States and what it can tell us about the man and the myth that shrouds him, as well as his contrasts: an idealist who was a glory-seeking opportunist and an ardent proponent of American republican tenets who eagerly supported monarchy.
A republican mural commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strikes
A loyalist mural, 2007
1864 presidential election poster for the Republican ticket of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson
Portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette by Ary Scheffer, 1824
Making the Presidency
The Leadership and Legacy of John Adams
The United States of 1797 faced enormous challenges. George Washington left his vice president, John Adams—who had never held an executive position—with relatively little guidance and impossible expectations to meet. As president, Adams was confronted with intense partisan divides, debates over citizenship, fears of political violence, potential for foreign conflict with France and Britain, and a nation unsure that the presidency could even work without Washington at the helm.
Ancient Sparta
A Template for Authoritarianism
Drawing on her new book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic, historian Lindsay M. Chervinsky explores the critical second U.S. presidency, illustrating the unique challenges faced by Adams and examining how he shaped the office for his successors.
Making the Presidency (Oxford University Press) is available for purchase.
Of all the empires and citystates in the ancient Mediterranean world, Sparta was the most feared because of its military prowess. At the same time, paradoxically, it was the most praised by philosophers because of the political consistency and social stability it provided to its citizens. Spartan society was founded on the philosophy that the whole is greater and more important than any of its parts and that an individual can only find true happiness and fulfillment when part of something larger. Money and private property were abolished, transforming citizens into cogs to keep the great wheel turning.
In this century, Sparta is considered the template for repressive regimes such as those in North Korea and Iran, and commentators are fearful that it could become the repressive future for our own country. Historian and classicist John Prevas analyzes ancient Sparta’s approaches to education, government, and social relations, drawing parallels to modern dictatorships and the prospects for America.
How could a lowly Florentine preacher almost singlehandedly overthrow the mighty Medici family at the height of the Italian Renaissance and unleash the Bonfire of Vanities that consigned priceless paintings, books, and jewelry to flames?
The impassioned Girolamo Savonarola both upended the civic and cultural norms of Florence and installed himself as the head of a ruthless theocracy.
Historian Janna Bianchini of the University of Maryland, College Park, tells the story of Savonarola’s unexpected rise, years-long domination of the city in the face of fierce outside opposition, and meteoric fall. He was burned at the stake in 1498—a fiery end to a cautionary tale about the dangers of blending religious and political extremes.
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Lindsay M. Chervinsky
Portrait of Girolamo Savonarola by Fra Bartolomeo, 1498
Ancient Israel and Its Neighbors
A Biblical Connection
Two centuries of archaeological excavation and exploration have revealed that ancient Israel’s neighbors—Egypt, Canaan, Aram, Assyria, and Babylonia—all contributed significantly to its history, from its origins through the Babylonian exile and beyond. Biblical narratives reflect connections to these ancient cultures. In an illustrated all-day program, biblical scholar Gary Rendsburg explores how the people who left us the Bible were informed by other civilizations and how these influences are reflected in its books.
Sat., Sept. 21, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2-342; Members $80; Nonmembers $90
Amsterdam in the 17th Century
The Golden Age from Tulip Mania to the New World
As the wealthiest city in Europe in the 17th century, Amsterdam transformed itself into a thriving center for great artists, scientists, writers, and scholars, as well as a hub of banking and finance. Once the city rid itself of Spanish rule and set up a society based on capitalism and world trade, it also became a metropolis that was philosophically enlightened and religiously tolerant. Amsterdam encouraged the growth of art, philosophy, science, new universities, publishing, and the beginnings of international law.
Historian Ralph Nurnberger explores the many facets of this capital city, from its heady rise to the collapse of tulip futures—capitalism’s first “bubble.” He also highlights how the city’s religious tolerance enabled Dutch Jews to modernize and practice their religion openly, as well as engage in trade in Europe and the New World.
The Allies had not yet defeated the Germans in North Africa when British and American civilian and military leaders met at Casablanca in January 1943 to decide where to turn next. After sometimes-bitter negotiations, they decided to turn their attention to Sicily and, ultimately, mainland Italy.
Codenamed Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily in July and August 1943 was the largest combined amphibious undertaking in history and provided lessons in warfare that enabled the successful planning and execution of Operation Overlord the following June. Kevin Weddle, professor emeritus of military theory and strategy at the U.S. Army War College, offers an illustrated discussion of this critically important but often-forgotten operation that contributed to the Allies’ success in the war in Europe.
Ishtar Gate, ca. 4 B.C.E., Pergamon Museum, Berlin
Baal with thunderbolt stele, ca. 15th–13th century B.C.E., Louvre Museum
Still Life with Flowers by Hans Bollongier, 1639
British Army, 51st Division Sicily, July 1943
The Shakers
Pursuing “a New Heaven and a New Earth”
The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, also known as the Shakers, was one of the most fascinating religious groups in America from the late-18th through the early-20th centuries. During an era of widespread secular and religious reform initiatives, Shakers sought to embody a purity of life, re-make human relations, and fulfill a utopian vision of a “New Heaven and a New Earth.”
Pacifists who lived celibate communal lives, Shakers accepted the divinity of a female God; embraced expectations of a millennium foretold in the New Testament; and practiced a form of primitive communism. Lecturer William Dinges examines the Shaker movement’s origins; theological worldview; community life; relations with the outside world; and the broader social, cultural, and historical factors that both contributed to the sect’s longevity and led to its demise.
Even though the United States escaped World War II with little physical damage, the war shaped the development of American life, society, and culture in numerous ways in the years that followed. Some people remember the 1950s nostalgically, but this decade also saw radical changes to the way Americans lived. Allen Pietrobon, a professor of global affairs at Trinity Washington University, explores the ripple effects of the war on how Americans lived, traveled, ate, and grappled with racial issues.
Early American Elections and the Origins of Party Politics
How We Got Here From There
Elections during the first few decades of America’s existence were often haphazard affairs. Everything from who could vote to the location of the polls to how long the polls would be open varied from state to state and often from election to election. Women could vote in New Jersey from 1776 to 1807. Riots at the polls were not uncommon. Surprisingly, too, the Framers never anticipated the development of a two-party political system.
George Mason University history professor Rosemarie Zagarri explores how the idea of democracy evolved less by design and more from a constant push-and-pull between those seeking to cast their ballots and those who made the rules about when, where, and how the ballots were to be cast. William Gormley, professor emeritus of government and public policy at Georgetown University, draws some connections between the first political parties and the present.
What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A
The Women of the Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses, a series of 15th-century battles between the houses of York and Lancaster for the crown of England, was a domestic drama that saw the Plantagenet family locked in years of in-fighting over control of the country. Though the story usually focuses on the men who fought, died on the battlefield, or survived to take the crown, some of its main personalities were queens, princesses, and duchesses—remarkable women who publicly and privately exerted the influence and wielded the power that shaped the conflict.
Under the Dome
Tudor and Renaissance scholar Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger introduces seven wives, mothers, and sisters who helped spin and shred the web of conspiracies that blanketed the English throne: Margaret of Burgundy, Marguerite of Anjou, Margaret Beaufort, Cecily and Anne Neville, Elizabeth Woodville, and Elizabeth of York.
Politics, Crisis, and Architecture at the United States Capitol
The domed U.S. Capitol is one of America’s most iconic symbols. The building has been renovated many times under the direction of the person serving as architect of the Capitol. This official heads the agency (also called the Architect of the Capitol) tasked with taking care of the Capitol plus the government buildings and grounds of Capitol Hill.
Alan Hantman, who held the position from 1997 to 2007, shares insights into how the Capitol works as a physical space, who runs it, and how decisions are made about security. Hantman’s book Under the Dome (Georgetown University Press) is available for purchase.
In 1763, colonists across British North America could not have been prouder to be citizens of the British Empire. King George, his ministers, and his military were toasted in towns and cities. Grateful New York colonists erected a statue to their great king—a testament to the belief that their future lay with him.
On July 9, 1776, a crowd of American soldiers and sailors tore down that statue and melted its precious lead into 42,088 musket balls to fire at the king’s army. The two sides were now at war, one that would rage for the next seven years.
Historian Richard Bell examines the extraordinary events that turned loyal British colonies into a united confederation willing to go to war to achieve independence.
Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2-345; Members $80; Nonmembers $90
Scandal and Crime in Victorian Britain
From rumors of the queen’s alleged romances to ghoulish reports of body snatching, lady poisoners, or Jack the Ripper’s murder spree, there was never a lack of scandal or crime for Victorians to read or talk about over tea. Aside from being newsworthy, terrifying, and titillating, these goings-on shed light on the wider culture’s rigid class system and restricted gender roles.
Historian Julie Taddeo spotlights some of the period’s most intriguing crimes and scandals, using them as a lens to explore the Victorian era and how its history is presented in today’s popular culture.
U.S. Capitol dome under construction during President Lincoln’s inauguration, March 1861
The tarring and feathering of a British loyalist by patriots in Boston, 1774
Alexander von Humboldt and American Democracy
One of the most influential intellectuals of the 19th century, Alexander von Humboldt was a Prussian polymath, geographer, naturalist, explorer, and proponent of Romantic philosophy and science who visited the United States in 1804 specifically to meet President Thomas Jefferson, whose writings Humboldt had taken to heart.
Preferring democracy to European monarchy, Humboldt used his influential voice to urge the United States to live up to its democratic ideals, especially the innate equality of all people. Smithsonian American Art Museum curator Eleanor Jones Harvey, author of Alexander von Humboldt and the United States: Art, Nature and Culture, illuminates Humboldt’s efforts to influence American cultural values through the visual arts, sciences, literature, and politics.
The Untold Story of the Struggle for Civil Rights in Tuscaloosa
On Bloody Sunday (March 7, 1965), activist John Lewis led over 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, and faced attacks by oncoming state troopers. That violence shocked the nation, yet the previous year an even more brutal incident dubbed Bloody Tuesday took place in Tuscaloosa.
Historian John M. Giggie tells the dramatic story of one of the most violent episodes of the civil rights movement: a pivotal moment in a Southern city unwilling to shed its long history of racial control and Klan brutality until forced to do so by armed Black self-defense groups, a bus boycott, and the federal government.
Giggie’s new book, Bloody Tuesday: The Untold Story of the Struggle for Civil Rights in Tuscaloosa (Oxford University Press), is available for purchase.
Over the past half century, dwarves, hobbits, magic, dragons, runes, and other staples of fantastic realms have become entrenched in popular culture, from The Lord of the Rings to the Harry Potter series. There are substantive historical inspirations behind these phenomena. Historian Justin M. Jacobs discusses the evolving conceptions of fantastic elements in Eurasian history and lays bare the truth behind what he sees as four distorted myths of fantasy in our culture surrounding magic; elves, dwarves and hobbits; Norse runes; and medieval bestiaries.
Drawing from The Black Pullet, an 18th-century book of magical spells
19th-century depiction of dwarfs illustrating the poem “Völuspá” by Lorenz Frølich, 1895
What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A
Portrait of Baron von Humboldt by Charles Willson Peale, 1804
Growing Up in the Ice Age
It is estimated that in prehistoric societies children made up between 40 to 65 percent of the population, yet by default, our ancestral landscapes are peopled by adults who hunt, gather, fish, shape tools, and make art. But these busy grown-ups had to make space physically, emotionally, intellectually, and cognitively for the infants, children, and adolescents around them.
Utilizing evidence from the tiniest deciduous teeth in South Africa to richly adorned burials in Russia, April Nowell, a Paleolithic archaeologist and professor of anthropology, draws on recent data from the cognitive sciences and ethnographic, fossil, archaeological, and primate records to render these “invisible” children visible and open a new understanding of the contributions children have made to the biological and cultural entities we are today.
In Spain during the 11th and 12th centuries, women of the royal family, whether married or not, ruled alongside men. They governed shares of the crown lands and wielded remarkable power, partnering with their brothers and fathers.
Some of them, like Sancha Raimúndez, the sister of Alfonso VII of León-Castile, never married. Others, such as Elvira Alfonso, sister of the reigning queen, Urraca of León-Castile, wed outside the kingdom and returned home as widows to resume their royal duties. Historian Janna Bianchini explores the bonds among these princesses and how this unusual system ultimately came apart in the 13th century.
The six wives of Henry VIII have been presented to us in movies, television shows, and all kinds of popular culture—from an old English rhyme (“Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived”) to the blockbuster musical SIX. They’re the most well-known group of royal consorts in history, and all were given one main job: to provide a male heir to ensure the succession and the survival of the Tudor dynasty.
But who were they? Where did each come from, what was she like as a person, and how did she become part of the famous sextet? And is there anything new to learn about them? Tudor scholar Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger examines these women individually to unpack the legends and rumors that have clouded our understanding of them, providing a new perspective on each and what they contributed to court life and to history.
At the start of WWII, the United States found itself in desperate need of an intelligence agency. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a precursor to today’s CIA, was quickly formed—and turned to academia for recruits to fill its ranks. Suddenly, literature professors, librarians, and historians were training to perform undercover operations and investigative work, and these surprising spies would go on to profoundly shape both the course of the war and our cultural institutions with their efforts.
Drawing on her new book, Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II, historian Elyse Graham tells the story of a small but connected group of these humanities scholars. Along with other unlikely spies, they helped to beat the Nazis and lay the foundations of modern intelligence, as well as transform American higher education when they returned after the war.
Copies of Book and Dagger (Ecco) are available for purchase.
Catherine of Aragon, ca. 1860, by Richard Burchett
The Napoleonic Wars: A Global Conflict
Between 1792 and 1815, Europe was in turmoil. The French Revolution unleashed a torrent of political, social, cultural, and military changes, which Napoleon extended beyond the country’s frontiers. The ensuing struggle was immense in its scale and intensity. Never had European states resorted to a mobilization of civilian and military resources as total as during this period. Its scale and impact dwarfed all other European conflicts and came to be known as the “Great War.”
In a full-day seminar, historian Alexander Mikaberidze of Louisiana State University, Shreveport, tells the story of the Napoleonic Wars and explains how European affairs did not unfold in isolation from the rest of the globe. The names of Austerlitz, Trafalgar, Leipzig, and Waterloo all hold prominent places in the standard histories. But also significant in the story are Buenos Aires, New Orleans, Ruse, Aslanduz, Assaye, Macao, Oravais, and Alexandria.
Sat., Oct. 19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2-349; Members $100; Nonmembers $120
Hadrian: The Mercurial Emperor
Hadrian, who ruled from 117 to 138, was one of the most consequential but controversial Roman emperors. He was a Roman who loved Greece but is best remembered in Italy, where he built the Pantheon in Rome, and Britain, where he constructed his eponymous wall. He is remembered in Judea as well, where he incited a rebellion that devastated the country and bled the Roman armies dry before they suppressed it.
Hadrian was a man’s man who owed his success to the women who loved him, but he gave his heart to an adolescent boy. To one ancient writer he was austere and genial, deceitful and straightforward, cruel and merciful, and always changeable. Who was Hadrian and why does he still matter? Classicist and historian Barry Strauss shares the story of this forceful ruler.
Mary Todd Lincoln and Varina Banks Howell Davis experienced 19th-century political life at its highest levels. They shared similarities, as each was Southern-born, well-educated, and a gifted conversationalist. Both had their fair share of critics during their husbands’ time in office, and neither woman was one to sit back quietly.
In addition to carrying out their public duties, they raised young children during a time when disease took a deadly toll on families and were forced to deal with stress and grief. Each survived her husband and sought to preserve his memory—and dealt with the numerous challenges in the war’s aftermath in her own way. Kelly Hancock of the American Civil War Museum in Richmond examines the reasons.
Before Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia invaded the North in 1862, it battled Union forces in the Second Manassas campaign. Civil War tour guide Marc Thompson analyzes the army’s movement from Richmond toward Manassas following the Seven Days Battles and explains how the evolving nature of the Civil War can be seen through the fielding of two kinds of Federal armies in response to the threat posed by Lee’s Confederates.
Related tour: The Battle of Second Manassas, p. 64
The Battle of Alexandria by Philip James de Loutherbourg, 1802
Bust of Hadrian, ca. 130
Mary Todd Lincoln and Varina Banks Howell Davis
Putting Ancient Technology to New Use
Water Engineering in the Andes
Thousands of years ago, Indigenous peoples in the Andes assessed their climate, geography, and ecology and realized that, to provide better support for agriculture and herding, they needed to harness water. The solution they chose was to build hydraulic infrastructure, such as canals, terraces, reservoirs, and dams. Archaeologist Kevin Lane of CONICET Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, reveals the story of this technology on the coast and in the highlands of the central Andes and explains how it is being repurposed today to deal with the effects of climate change.
Studying political history can’t help predict the future, but it can offer a sense of perspective in stressful times. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, political history curators from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History are gathering materials and memorabilia to document this election cycle for the national collections.
Curator Jon Grinspan has been attending Democratic and Republican contests and rallies throughout the year, looking for materials that reflect debates, protests, and on-site and digital campaign activities. Join him as he offers an analysis of how this presidential campaign fits into the long history of American democracy and how ongoing collecting at primaries and party conventions provides insight into the evolving spirit and complexity of the country’s political landscape.
Less famous than their Tudor cousins, the Stuart monarchs survived a plot to blow up the government and the only governmental execution of an anointed king in English history to restructure the nature of the monarchy and eventually join England and Scotland into a new nation. From James I to Queen Anne, four generations of Stuart rulers led the country from the personal monarchy of the Tudors into the constitutional monarchy and the establishment of Great Britain.
Historian Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger explores the personalities of the Stuart monarchs and their ongoing troubles with the English Parliament and method of government, shining a light on how each contributed to the result: a lasting constitutional monarchy and the establishment of Great Britain.
Smithsonian Associates’ Digital Digest is a lively monthly e-newsletter filled with information about programs and experiences that are entertaining, informative, eclectic, and insightful. Be sure to see the current issue at: smithsonianassociates.org/digital-digest
Part of the puquio hydraulic system
Campaign button from the late 20th century
King James I of Scotland
Summer Vacation Wine Adventures
AUG 23 Wines of the Mediterranean Coast
Spend two fascinating evenings expanding your knowledge of wine as you travel the world with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in a series of delectable wine-tasting adventures. Each immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.
Imagine lying on the beach with waves gently lapping at your feet, a gentle fresh breeze in the air, and, naturally, a glass of exciting wine to sip. Enjoy this quintessential vacation experience from your own home without the cost and hassle of airline travel. The shores of the Mediterranean coast offer myriad incredible wines and appellations to explore—from fresh, light reds to tantalizing, mineral-driven whites, and, of course, dazzling rosés. Sip these coastal Mediterranean wines as if you’re on the deck of your own private yacht.
SEPT 20 Virginia Is for Wine Lovers
The vineyards and wineries of Virginia have much to offer. Dating as far back as Thomas Jefferson’s (not so successful) attempts to recreate some of his favorite European wines, Virginia has a storied history of viticulture. Now, new generations of winemakers are pushing Virginian wine to even greater heights. This session introduces some of the newest and most exciting wines the state has to offer.
Individual sessions: Fri., Aug. 23 (CODE 1L0-591); Fri., Sept. 20 (CODE 1L0-592); 6 p.m.; Members $70; Nonmembers $80
Wine-tasting kit information: The cost includes a curated personal tasting kit with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines. Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kit, which is an essential component of the workshop. Kits are available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program and the day of the program, 12–5 p.m., at Shilling Canning Company (360 Water Street SE, Washington, DC; Metro: Navy Yard-Ballpark station, Green line). Patrons will receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to the program.
Due to state and federal laws, Smithsonian Associates cannot ship wine kits. However, SOMLYAY may be able to provide kits to participants outside the Washington, D.C., area (who must cover shipping costs). Please contact erik@thesomlyay.com for more information.
In Person
Kathy Reichs: Fire and Bones
Creating a D.C. Thriller
Forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs is known for her crime novels chronicling the adventures of Temperance “Bones” Brennan, a forensic anthropologist at the fictional Jeffersonian Institute (sound familiar?). Her latest thriller, Fire and Bones, finds Brennan at the center of a Washington, D.C., arson investigation that spawns deepening levels of mystery and, ultimately, violence.
When she discovers the case has a surprising link to the Foggy Bottom Gang, a group of 1930s and ’40s bootleggers and racketeers, things get even hotter. In conversation with Rebecca Boggs Roberts, Reichs discusses the inspiration behind the novel and how she staged the thriller in the Smithsonian’s—or the Jeffersonian’s—backyard. Copies of Fire and Bones (Simon & Schuster) are available for purchase and signing. Mon., Aug. 5, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-586; Ripley Center; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
Please visit SmithsonianAssociates.org to view the FAQ on Health & Safety guidelines for in-person programs
Kathy Reichs
Fall Wine Adventures
TOP SOMMELIER'S GUIDE TO WINE
Spend three fascinating evenings expanding your knowledge of wine as you travel the world with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in a series of delectable wine-tasting adventures. Each immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.
OCT 18 Wines of the Southern Hemisphere Part 3: Perfect Pairings for the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, food and wine come to mind. With so many flavors and endless possibilities, the wines of the Southern Hemisphere are particularly well equipped to pair with classic (and modern) holiday dishes. This delicious seminar explores how to select and pair wines like a professional sommelier to make every holiday meal memorable.
NOV 15 California’s Central Coast
The Central Coast starts north of Los Angeles and stretches to just south of San Francisco. This is an area with many wine regions and a plethora of diverse terroirs unified by a shared spirit. Virtually every variety imaginable grows well somewhere in the Central Coast, so there is something for everyone. This delicious session explores some of the best wines of various styles and varieties the Central Coast has to offer.
DEC 13 Burgundy Like You’ve Never Experienced
Burgundy is one of the most complex and expansive wine regions on the planet. It is here that thousands of years of careful study of terroir have yielded an amazingly detailed and hyper-complicated classification system of wines, vines, and vineyards. This deep dive explores the how, why, and what of Burgundy. Taste some exciting wines from appellations that producers see as the future of their region.
3-session series: Fri., Oct. 18, Nov. 15, and Dec. 13, 6 p.m.; CODE 4WINE2024; Members $180; Nonmembers $210
Wine-tasting kit information: The cost includes a curated personal tasting kit with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines. Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kit, which is an essential component of the workshop. Kits are available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program and the day of the program, 12–5 p.m., at Shilling Canning Company (360 Water Street SE, Washington, DC; Metro: Navy Yard-Ballpark station, Green line). Patrons receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to the program.
Due to state and federal laws, Smithsonian Associates cannot ship wine kits. However, SOMLYAY may be able to provide kits to participants outside the Washington, D.C., area (who must cover shipping costs). Please contact erik@thesomlyay.com for more information.
What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A
Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, and Hal David
The Synergy of Genius
Burt Bacharach
composed for countless important artists during his storied 80-year career—which began in his teens—but he and his lyricist Hal David reserved some of their most visionary work for the magnificent Dionne Warwick.
Lecturer, concert pianist, and Bacharach and Warwick fan Rachel Franklin explores the unique power and depth of their creative relationship and the extraordinary legacy of songbook masterpieces that these great artists have bequeathed us. Among the many beloved songs covered in the program, highlights include “Walk on By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “Alfie,” “Don’t Make Me Over,” and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.”
Wed., Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-499; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
Feasting with Royalty
Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, and Caesar
Dancing in the Dark
A History of Dance in the Movies
Dancing on the big screen has provided some of the most ecstatic moments in film history—whether it’s Fred Astaire gliding on the ceiling in Royal Wedding, the Nicholas Brothers leaping down a staircase in Stormy Weather, Moira Shearer pirouetting through the dreamscape of The Red Shoes, or John Travolta burning up the dance floor in Saturday Night Fever. Employing more than 75 video clips, media historian Brian Rose surveys 130 years of thrilling movie dance performances and discusses how the cinema helped change the nature of dance.
Tues., Aug. 6, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-378; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
From the elaborate banquets of ancient civilizations to the lavish soirées of the Renaissance, feasts have left an indelible mark on human culture and society. They reveal the culinary delights of their time and the social hierarchies, power dynamics, and cultural exchanges that have shaped our past.
Food historian Francine Segan uncovers the hidden layers of meaning behind the food, drink, and rituals that have defined such gatherings throughout the ages and spotlights the distinctive foods of royal tables in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In each session, participants receive a list of recipes for delicious dishes from across antiquity to make at home. (Roast peacock and flamingo tongue not included.)
AUG 19 Dinner with Cleopatra
SEPT 16 Dinner with Alexander the Great OCT 21 Dinner with Caesar
3-session series: Mon., Aug. 19, Sept. 16, and Oct. 21, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-058; Members $60; Nonmembers $75
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
Original flyer for the film The Red Shoes, 1948. Collection at Ailina Dance (Archives)
Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, and Hal David
Still Life with Lobster, Drinking Horn and Glasses by Willem Kalf, 1653
Zhang Yimou and Gong Li
The Director and His Muse
Musical Miniatures
The Perfect Magic of Shorter Works
Film historian Max Alvarez surveys the turbulent film history of China via the brilliant and beautiful collaborations between Fifth Generation filmmaker Zhang Yimou—who emerged on the world cinema scene in the wake of the Cultural Revolution—and his stunning star Gong Li. Her remarkable acting versatility reinforced Zhang’s themes of resilience in the face of hardship in films such as Ju Dou and The Story of Qiu Ju and the masterpiece Raise the Red Lantern. But those themes frequently aroused the ire of political authorities.
Nevertheless, Zhang’s remarkable muse, whose stardom was instantaneous beginning with their first powerful alliance in the film Red Sorghum, helped make Zhang’s later works—arguably compromised by the political pressure the director faced—both intoxicating and mesmerizing.
Tues., Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-502; Members $30; Nonmembers $35
Throughout the centuries composers have been constantly drawn to the perfect simplicity of shorter musical forms. Preludes, bagatelles, overtures, romances, impromptus, nocturnes, dances, arias, etudes, songs without words, lieder, fantasias, intermezzos: The range of small-form musical works is astoundingly varied, but creating exquisite miniatures is a demanding art.
With some of the most deeply loved music in the repertoire, pianist and scholar Rachel Franklin shows how it’s done using miniature marvels by Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Grieg, Bartok, Brahms, Faure, Webern, Debussy, and many others.
4-session series: Thurs., Sept. 5–26, 12 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1K0-501; Members $95; Nonmembers $105
Plant-based Cooking: A Harvest of Recipes
Plant-based eating has been evolving for centuries, creating a base of beloved recipes enjoyed around the globe. Food editor and writer Joe Yonan has spent years reporting on and making plant-based foods, and his new book, Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking, spotlights vegan food as a unique cuisine worthy of mastery.
His collection of recipes and essays from prominent food writers in this sphere illustrates the abundance and wide-ranging variety of vegan food. In conversation with Hetty Lui McKinnon, a chef and author of plant-based cookbooks, Yonan discusses the richness of vegan cuisine and shares tips for flavorful staples, weeknight meals, and celebratory feasts in your own kitchen.
Copies of Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking (Penguin Random House) are available for purchase.
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
Gong Li
Zhang Yimou
Chopin Concert by Henryk Siemiradzki, 1829
A Filmmaker’s Journey to the Amazon
With Céline Cousteau
In 2006, documentary filmmaker Céline Cousteau went to the Amazon with her father, Jean-Michel, as he filmed a project for PBS. On the expedition, she met some of the Indigenous peoples of the 33,000-square-mile Javari Valley reservation, located along Brazil’s Amazon border with Peru. A relationship unfolded, and a request was later made: Would Cousteau, as an environmental filmmaker who focuses on the connection between nature and humans, return to the valley to tell the story of the threats its people and their land faced?
Cousteau’s 2018 documentary Tribes on the Edge examines those forces, from ongoing illegal activities including hunting, gold mining, and deforestation to health crises and the dismantling of all protections of land and human rights by the Brazilian government. Cousteau discusses why she felt compelled to return to the jungle, the making of the documentary, and how the struggle for survival that played out in the Amazon has implications that reach across the globe.
Barbara Kingsolver’s Pulitzer Prize–winning Demon Copperhead is an adaptation of the beloved 19th-century novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, shows how Kingsolver negotiated Dickens’ literary legacy and updated the concerns of David Copperfield to deal with major issues of contemporary American life such as the opioid crisis, rural poverty, and the schisms in an increasingly divided country. Luzzi discusses how the two authors’ lives and literary careers relate to their novels and compares style, character creation, and plot development in the two books.
Sat., Sept. 7, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1J0-388; Members $80; Nonmembers $90
Spices 101: Cardamom
Cardamom is one of the most perfumed and complex of spices, prized as much for its romantic and storied history as it is for its culinary usage. According to legend, the most famous lovers of all time were cast together by the sultry aroma of burning cardamom luring Mark Antony to Cleopatra’s palace.
Food writer and spice expert Eleanor Ford draws on her new cookbook, A Whisper of Cardamom, to explore the facts, botany, myths, stories, and properties of the spice. Discover how to use it to best effect in the kitchen, elevating dishes from broths to curries, spiced teas to scented cakes.
For more than 115 years, Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, has been recognized as one of the world’s most important and beautiful collections of gardens and glasshouses. As he explores its indoor spaces, Karl Gercens, Longwood’s conservatory manager, draws on his quarter century of making and maintaining displays that have dazzled millions of visitors.
Learn how the historic Orangery went from utilitarian citrus production to a space displaying more than 50,000 pots of blooms and trace the East Conservatory’s history of facelifts since its 1927 debut. Gercens also previews the centerpiece of “Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience,” a transformation of 17 acres of its conservatory and grounds—the West Conservatory, scheduled for a fall opening, which combines the 19th-century tradition of glasshouses with contemporary sustainable technologies Mon., Sept. 16, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-103; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
Barbara Kingsolver
Céline Cousteau and film crew in the Javari Valley reservation
Charles Dickens LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LIFE
MICHAEL
Rendering of the West Conservatory
How Steven Spielberg and George Lucas Changed the Movies
From 1915’s The Birth of a Nation to epics like The Sound of Music (1965), Hollywood has depended on blockbusters. But beginning in 1974, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas changed the way the industry made movies.
Spielberg’s Jaws and Lucas’ Star Wars helped launch the careers of two of the most influential directors of our time. They introduced the age of the modern blockbuster, which features elaborate special effects and thrilling spectacle, in contrast to previous Hollywood blockbusters whose focus was on prestigious adaptations and megastar power. Media historian Brian Rose looks at their four decades of filmmaking and discusses how they changed the movies.
Who could forget Joe Montana’s epic touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the Cowboys end zone that gave the 49ers their 28-27 NFC division victory in 1981? Or “The Helmet Catch,” Eli Manning’s downfield pass to New York Giants receiver David Tyree to give the Giants a win over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII? Sports columnist Joe Posnanski certainly hasn’t.
Drawing from his new book, Why We Love Football, Posnanski reminisces about pivotal moments in the sport, from epic comeback games to stellar feats of athleticism, and shares insights on the upcoming NFL season. He’s joined by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and veteran Washington Post football reporter Len Shapiro for a lively conversation about the number-one spectator sport in America. Phil Hochberg, longtime stadium announcer for the Washington Football Team, moderates.
Why We Love Football: A History in 100 Moments (Dutton) is available for purchase and signing.
Frank Lloyd Wright and the UNESCO World Heritage List
In 2019, eight buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. They span six decades of his long career and include significant residential, religious, and institutional buildings constructed between 1905 and 1959: Unity Temple; the Robie House; Taliesin Wisconsin; Hollyhock House; Fallingwater; the Jacobs House I; Taliesin West; and the Guggenheim Museum.
Bill Keene, a lecturer in urban studies, architecture, and history, reviews the nature of the UNESCO list, its criteria, and the steps in the more than 15-year nominating process needed to consider the architect’s buildings for designation. Drawing on his visits to each site, Keene examines Wright’s work and philosophy of architecture as reflected in the range of his buildings selected as World Heritage Sites.
What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A
Joe Posnanski
Herbert and Katherine Jacobs House I, 1936–1937
In Person
Spotlight on DC’s Stages
Exploring the New Theater Season
Hosted in partnership with Theatre Washington Washington’s reputation as a hub for vibrant arts and culture is well-deserved, with more than 80 professional companies poised to launch their 2024–2025 seasons. How can audiences pick the must-see productions, determine which ones offer the best value, and identify those that might not meet their expectations?
As part of the annual Theatre Week celebration, join Amy Austin, president and CEO of Theatre Washington, dramaturg Lauren Halversen, and a panel of experts as they explore the exciting lineup of productions awaiting audiences on stages both large and small and how to make the most of their theater-going experience. Take home a curated list of the most-anticipated productions, complete with critics’ picks of shows not to be missed.
Related program: A Day with DC-area Theater Makers (see p. 61)
The Evolution of Washington’s Southwest Waterfront
Washington, D.C.’s Southwest Waterfront is a neighborhood of contrasts: it boasts three of the earliest row homes in the District, a “honeymoon house” built for Martha Washington’s granddaughter, the oldest continuously operating fish market in the country, and one of the largest recent private development projects in the city, the District Wharf.
Laid out in the 1770s, by the 1830s the community on the banks of the Potomac teemed with commercial activity, followed by a massive military operation during the Civil War. However, the postwar waterfront slipped into decline over the decades. During the urban renewal movement of the mid-20th century, huge swaths of Southwest Washington were demolished, with over 23,000 mostly Black and Jewish residents displaced. Today, a new wave of development is again changing the fabric of Southwest Washington.
Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, explores the long and tumultuous planning history of the Southwest Waterfront as well as some of its architectural highlights, including residential buildings by I.M. Pei and Chloethiel Woodard Smith.
Attend individual lectures on great thinkers Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, then join Georgetown professor Joseph Hartman for a smaller-capacity, interactive discussion about these men, their works, how their philosophies interact with each other, and their relevance to today’s world.
SEPT 25 Contemplating Hobbes
NOV 6 Contemplating Locke
DEC 4 Contemplating Rousseau
DEC 11 Discussing Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
3-session series (lectures only): Wed., Sept. 25, Nov. 6, and Dec. 4, 6:45 p.m.; CODE: 1J0-394; Members $60; Nonmembers $75
4-session series (lectures and discussion): Wed., Sept. 25, Nov. 6, Dec. 4, and Dec. 11, 6:45 p.m.; CODE: 1J0-403; Members $80; Nonmembers $95
Fela! at Olney Theatre Center, 2023
Thomas Hobbes John Locke
The mixed-use Wharf development on the Southwest Waterfront, 2021
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
How to Think Like an Economist
What Great Economists Can Teach Us
Avoiding climate catastrophe means changing economies so that they don’t bake the world. Pulling economies through the pandemic required governments to put global financial systems into the deep freeze without destroying them. Economist Robbie Mochrie explains how economic thinking is indispensable to tackling huge problems such as these.
Mochrie discusses how great economic thinkers from Aristotle to Esther Duflo have enabled us to see the world differently and figure out how we can make it better. His new book, How to Think Like an Economist (Bloomsbury), is available for purchase.
Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman discuss the versatile figure of the witch in fairy tales. Focusing on the collection of the Brothers Grimm, Cleto and Warman explore the many distinctive witches they gave us before homing in on ones that appear in five fairy tales: “Rapunzel,” “Hansel and Gretel,” “The Three Spinners,” “Frau Trude,” and “All Kinds of Fur.” By illuminating different aspects of the figure of the witch as she appears in the Grimms’ tales, they demonstrate the complexity and power that characterize her.
Virginia Woolf famously said that George Eliot’s monumental Middlemarch from 1872 was “one of the few English novels written for grown-up people.” Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, examines how Eliot used innovative literary techniques and delves into her treatment of political issues, key transitions in English social and cultural life, and the characters’ emotional lives. He also explains why Middlemarch is still widely read.
Television news has undergone remarkable transformations in the last seven decades. From the “Camel News Caravan” with John Cameron Swayze in 1948 to the “CBS Evening News” with Walter Cronkite in 1963 to 24/7 coverage on CNN and then cable, coverage has changed in both availability and character. Media historian Brian Rose looks at these sweeping changes and examines the impact of television journalism.
Sat., Oct. 5, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1J0-397; Members $80; Nonmembers $95
George Eliot by François D’Albert Durade
Walter Cronkite interviews President John F. Kennedy on the first half-hour nightly news broadcast in 1963
Smithsonian Chamber Music Society
2024–2025 Season
The 48th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features musical masterpieces from the late-16th to the early 21st centuries, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments. The repertoire ranges from acclaimed masterpieces to undeservedly obscure gems by all-but-forgotten composers.
Kenneth Slowik, SCMS artistic director and recipient of the Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar Award, again curates a series of pre-concert talks one hour prior to many of the programs, shedding light on the glorious music and the lives and times of the featured composers. Concerts take place in the National Museum of American History’s intimate Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill.
The Axelrod String Quartet: Stradivarius and Amati
Smithsonian Chamber Music Society audiences have the unparalleled experience of being able to hear two magnificent quartets of instruments—one made by Antonio Stradivari, the other by his teacher Nicolò Amati—in this popular four-concert series. The Axelrod Quartet’s violist James Dunham will retire at the end of this season after 17 years with the ensemble. In the first three programs, which explore the viola quintet repertoire, the quartet is joined by one of three different violists. Dunham has chosen the final quartet-only program to include some of the works he’s most enjoyed playing over his long and distinguished career, which included membership in the Naumburg Award–winning Sequoia String Quartet and the Grammy Award–winning Cleveland quartet.
The Axelrod String Quartet
Mark Fewer, violin; Marc Destrubé, violin; James Dunham, viola; Kenneth Slowik, violoncello
Schubert: Quartettsatz in C Minor, D703 Mozart: Quintet in D Major, K593 Bruckner: Quintet in F Major, WAB 112 with guest violist Steven Dann
Sat., May 3, 7:30 p.m. and Sun., May 4, 6:30 p.m.
Mozart: Quartet in D Minor, K421/417b
Beethoven: Quartet in F Major, Op. 135
Ravel: Quartet in F Major
Pre-concert lectures take place one hour before each concert on Saturdays and Sundays. In accordance with audience requests, several winter concerts take place during daylight hours.
4-concert series: Saturdays at various times (CODE BPS2); Sundays at various times (CODE BPS3); Members $110; Nonmembers $128
All Axelrod concerts take place at the Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, National Museum of American History, 14th St. and Constitution Ave., NW (Metro: Federal Triangle)
Subscribers to the Axelrod Quartet are also invited to attend Haydn Day at the Smithsonian on Sat., Jan. 11 at 1:30 p.m. in the Taubman Hall of Music. Students and faculty members of the 2025 Smithsonian Haydn Quartet Academy present a marathon concert of quartets from Haydn’s Opp. 20 and 33. Reservations are not required for this event.
All programs and artists subject to change
Please visit SmithsonianAssociates.org to view the FAQ on Health & Safety guidelines for in-person programs
Kenneth Slowik, James Dunham, Marc Destrubé, and Mark Fewer
In Person
Masterworks of Five Centuries
This chronologically wide-ranging series begins in early November with the first of two appearances by the Smithsonian Consort of Viols, playing works by Elizabethan composers Orlando Gibbons and William Byrd. In mid-November, the Smithsonian Chamber Players offers a feast of sumptuous late-17th-century Austrian music by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber and Johann Schmelzer, followed in December by a program of Johann Sebastian Bach’s sonatas for violin and obbligato harpsichord. The Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra concert in March, featuring baritone Mischa Bouvier, explores 20th- and 21st-century works ranging from the elegiac (Busoni, Mahler, and Richard Strauss) to the transcendently hopeful (Golijov). The four-hands fortepiano team of Naoko Takao and SCMS director Kenneth Slowik presents a Schubertiade later the same month. To cap the series, the Smithsonian Consort of Viols returns with a selection of Jacobean chamber music by John Jenkins and William Lawes.
Subscribers to the Masterworks series are also invited to attend a free concert on Saturday, October 12, at 7 p.m., in the Baird Auditorium of the National Museum of Natural History, when the 2024 edition of the Smithsonian Academy Orchestra presents music by Haydn and Beethoven. No reservations are required.
Kenneth Slowik, Arnie Tanimoto, Ryan Cheng, Catherine Slowik, and Chelsea Bernstein
All programs and artists subject to change.
Note: Both series options include the Sunday, March 16 Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra concert. In accordance with audience requests, several winter concerts take place during daylight hours.
6-concert series: Saturday concerts at various times, with pre-concert talks one hour prior to each concert; (CODE BPS4); Sunday concerts at various times, with pre-concert talks one hour prior to each concert; (CODE BPS5); various times; Members $165; Nonmembers $192
All Axelrod concerts take place at the Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, National Museum of American History, 14th St. and Constitution Ave., NW (Metro: Federal Triangle) except for the March 16 performance at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 301 A St., NE (Metro: Capitol South).
The Smithsonian Consort of Viols Mischa Bouvier, guest soloist
Protecting Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage
The Smithsonian on the Front Lines
Ever since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Smithsonian Institution has been a key player in the fight to protect Ukraine’s heritage. Corine Wegener, director of the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative; Hayden Bassett, a Smithsonian research associate and director of the Cultural Heritage Monitoring Lab; and Amber Kerr, the head of conservation at the Smithsonian American Art Museum/Lunder Conservation Center, detail how the Smithsonian is working with Ukrainian cultural institutions to monitor cultural heritage sites, provide expert advice, detect and assess damage, and provide emergency supplies and equipment.
Inside “The West Wing” Revisiting the Bartlet White House
Step behind the scenes and into the heart of “The West Wing” with cast members Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack as they explore what made the show a cultural phenomenon. From heartwarming origin stories to the bittersweet farewell on the show’s final night of filming, this inside look promises on-set and off-camera anecdotes that even the most devoted “West Wing” aficionados have never heard. Fitzgerald and McCormack also examine how the series envisaged a politics based on decency, honor, and service, with the Jed Bartlet administration creating the model for an aspirational White House beyond the bounds of fictional television. Their book, What’s Next: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service (Dutton), is available for purchase.
In the 1840s, Italian composers Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini commanded full attention on the opera stages of Europe. Young Giuseppe Verdi inherited their established traditions— and then began to transform them.
Classical music and opera expert Saul Lilienstein demonstrates how the myriad structural elements of Italian opera (the aria, duet, ensemble music, drama, and comedy) evolved under Verdi’s restless musical imagination and his desire to achieve a striking dramatic urgency. Each session is highlighted by audio and video recordings comparing the heritage of the first generation of bel canto masters with the achievements of Giuseppe Verdi, now recognized as the greatest of Italian composers.
5-session series: Tues., Oct. 15–Nov. 12, 12 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2347; Members $110; Nonmembers $130
Introduction to Music
Theory
With Conductor Ernest Johnson
Learn the language and elements of musical notation and composition in this interactive online course led by music educator and conductor Ernest Johnson. He guides exercises and assignments geared to developing the foundation every musician needs: the aural and visual understanding of pitch, rhythm, harmony, and form. Topic areas include an overview of the elements of music and music terminology; notation of pitch and rhythm; ear training; and developing the ability to hear, identify, and notate pitches, intervals, melodies, and chords.
The course includes a variety of online and print resources to support and enhance musical learning, including a subscription to the Noteflight Learn website. Optional assignments are given weekly. Students use online music software programs to notate and hear musical elements presented in each session. Basic computer skills are required.
8-session series: Wed., Oct. 16–Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. (no class Nov. 27); limited to 25 students; CODE 1P0-866; Members $235; Nonmembers $260; price includes textbook and shipping and a 6-month online subscription to Noteflight.
"Motherland" sculpture in Kiev
Portrait of Giuseppe Verdi (1886) by Giovanni Boldini
Conductor Ernest Johnson
New York’s Yiddish Theater
An Audience Becomes Americans
The vibrant world of Yiddish theater that flourished in the late-19th to the mid-20th century on Manhattan’s Lower East Side reflected the lives, desires, and dreams of newly arrived Jewish immigrants, primarily of Eastern and Central European origins. Yiddish-language theater existed in Russia and Europe, but the movement that took hold in New York City was exceptional in its scope, its influence on the American theater and entertainment industry, and, most importantly, the essential role it played for an immigrant population making its way in the United States.
Nancy Friedland, a librarian for film studies and performing arts at Columbia University, chronicles a unique moment in history as she discusses the importance of Yiddish theater in the lives of Jewish immigrants and several seminal playwrights, actors, and other figures that helped create it. She parallels the growth of New York’s Jewish immigrant population with that of the Yiddish theater as its stages evolved from small performance spaces to the grand venues that would populate Second Avenue during an era that became known as the golden age of Yiddish theater in America.
Joseph Luzzi, a professor of literature at Bard College, revisits and provides new perspectives on novels that typically appear on high school reading lists.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass from 1845 remains one of the most profoundly influential works in American literature. A combination of memoir and treatise on abolition, the book charts Douglass’ escape from the horrors of slavery to his life as a key member of the anti-slavery movement. Luzzi explores the book’s literary elements and themes, including Douglass’ brilliant ideas on religion, morality, education, and freedom.
Jack Kerouac’s On the Road from 1957 is almost synonymous with the postwar Beat and counterculture movements that rejected the staid domesticity of the 1950s in search of freedom and alternate ways of life. Luzzi discusses how characters based on the writer William S. Burroughs, the poet Allen Ginsberg, and Kerouac himself embraced new cultural forms like jazz and experimental literature as routes to meaning and artistic freedom.
The millions who watch Al Roker on “The Today Show” know that he’s a home chef who regularly posts his latest meals on social media and that his daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, is a chef by training.
The new cookbook they’ve written together, Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By, captures a snapshot of a home where a good conversation or a needed dose of laughter always starts with something great to eat. Join dad and daughter as they discuss the food they enjoy as a family and what it was like to write a cookbook together.
Copies of Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By: Easy, Memory-Making Family Dishes for Every Occasion (Legacy Lit) are available for purchase.
Fri., Oct. 18, 6:45 p.m.; Rasmuson Theater, National Museum of the American Indian; CODE 1L0-603; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
In Person
Federal Theatre Project poster, 1934
Al Roker and Courtney Roker Laga
A Sweet Journey
Exploring the World of Candy
Movie Monsters
The Art Behind Classic Creature Features
Just in time for Halloween, indulge your senses in an exploration of the rich history of candy. Candy historian Beth Kimmerle reveals the sweet secrets behind some of our favorite confections, tracing their origins and explaining the techniques that have shaped the candy-making process over centuries. Learn how to discern flavors, textures, and aromas like an expert as Kimmerle offers the opportunity for you to do a taste test.
What do Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Weber’s Der Freischütz have in common? All are deliciously spooky excursions into the musical supernatural, eternally popular with classical audiences eager to experience a good scare within the relative safety of respectable art music.
The febrile world of enchantment and witchery has always appealed to composers, and the range of works featuring goblins and grim reapers, witches, devils, and necromancers is vast. In the perfect run-up to Halloween, popular speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin leads a hairraising tour of some of the best-loved classical music haunts, showcasing works by Berlioz, Dukas, Liszt, Schubert, Saint-Saens, Caplet, Stravinsky, and many others.
2-session series: Thurs., Oct. 24 and 31, 12 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1K0-519; Members $50; Nonmembers $60
Film historian Max Alvarez returns this Halloween with another nerve-shattering multi-media romp through the history of “creature features” spotlighting the screen’s most memorable monsters, mummies, werewolves, oversized insects, outer-space invaders, and aquatic predators.
Although movie monsters fell out of favor as the Universal horror cycle wound down by the end of World War II, these anti-social abnormalities were soon in hot demand as the Cold War gathered steam during the 1950s. Then, as changes in technology breathed new life into cinematic creatures during the 1980s and ’90s, special-effects masterminds were able to stage in-camera werewolf transformations or bring monsters to life through complex computer technology. Since then, there simply is no keeping movie monsters out of multiplex cinemas and home entertainment platforms where the Monsterverse thrives as never before.
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Literary Journeys
From Homer’s Odyssey to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah, some of the most powerful works of fiction center on a journey. Editor John McMurtrie takes you on a voyage of discovery through journeys in literature that extend to the ends of the earth and span from ancient Greece to today. Drawing on essays by literary critics, scholars, and other writers, he discusses journeys from three of the more than 75 works of fiction represented in his new illustrated guide, Literary Journeys: Mapping Fictional Travels across the World of Literature. Fri., Oct. 25, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-404; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
War and Peace: Unfolding Tolstoy’s Epic Novel
Many consider Leo Tolstoy’s epic 19th-century War and Peace, the story of the Napoleonic Wars in Russia, to be the greatest novel ever written. Joseph Luzzi, a professor of literature at Bard College, leads participants through an in-depth consideration of the themes, historical issues, literary elements, and cultural conditions that give Tolstoy’s work its legendary aura. He pays close attention to how questions about religion, the representation of warfare, Tolstoy’s theories on history, and his brilliant understanding of human emotion—especially love—make this novel as relevant today as when it appeared.
Julia Child’s Kitchen
Julia Child’s kitchen from her Cambridge, Massachusetts, home has been on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History since 2002, and museum goers have made it a top destination. Drawing on her new book, Julia Child’s Kitchen, Paula Johnson, one of the original collectors and keepers of the installation, provides an intimate portrait of Child at home and first-hand accounts of cooking beside her.
Johnson, curator of food history and director of the museum’s American Food History Project, recalls the beloved cookbook author and television star’s favorite place in the world—her home kitchen. In conversation with Jessica Carbone, a food writer and historian, she also discusses how the legacy Child created here continues to influence the ways we cook today. Copies of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space (Abrams Books) are available for purchase.
Sat., Nov. 2, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1J0-405; Members $80; Nonmembers $95
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The Battle of Austerlitz by François Pascal, 1805
All Shook Up
Hollywood Learns to Rock Rock music exploded on the big screen in 1955 when Bill Haley & His Comets’ “Rock Around the Clock” played behind the opening credits of Blackboard Jungle. Teenagers responded to the inclusion of the song with wild enthusiasm, and Hollywood began to recognize the power of the teen audience. Soon the studios unleashed a series of films featuring rock and R&B musicians performing their hits as the soundtrack to movies about rebellious high schoolers, daredevil hotrodders, and antics-prone college students. Media historian Brian Rose looks at rock movies’ first decade and how Hollywood benefited from the power of this music.
Discover the most significant, intriguing, and mysterious aspects of what UNESCO has declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage: the passionate musical and dance form of flamenco. Flamenco can be wrenchingly emotional or laugh-out-loud funny. It can also seem intimidating to new fans.
Using film and audio clips, photos, and insights from flamenco aficionados past and present including Federico García Lorca and Penélope Cruz, flamenco scholar Nancy G. Heller introduces the basic elements and vocabulary of flamenco music and dance, demystifying and enhancing the experience for audiences. She emphasizes traditional flamenco but also traces the innovations of the contemporary avant-garde performers who challenge long-established ideas about appropriate instrumentation, costuming, narratives, and gender identity.
When the doors of Radio City Music Hall opened in 1932, New Yorkers entered a new world: a dazzling Art Deco fantasy of an entertainment palace far removed from the drab realities of the Great Depression. With its Hollywood films and lavish stage shows, what came to be known as “The Showplace of the Nation” has given generations of audiences a place to escape from the everyday and dream.
Actor Tim Dolan, owner of Broadway Up Close tours in New York City, explores the Music Hall’s stories, secrets, traditions, and trivia, illustrated by rare photos that bring its excitement and glamour to life. He surveys the history of this iconic theater; the origins of the beloved Christmas Spectacular, in which the Rockettes have been kicking up their heels since 1933; and the equally spectacular Rockefeller Center holiday tree lighting.
Participants in the December 12 Radio City tour (see page 65) receive complimentary registration for this program.
Interior of Radio City Music Hall
Elvis Presley in a promotion shot for Jailhouse Rock in 1957
Otterly Amazing
From their intricate social structures to their remarkable hunting techniques, otters captivate observers with their cleverness, charisma, and resilience. Erin Whatley and Paul Bradenburger, animal keepers with Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, reveal fascinating details about the natural history of these furry, semi-aquatic mammals.
Otters are highly social animals, often forming close-knit family groups. Whatley and Bradenburger describe the bonds between mothers and pups and delve into reproductive strategies. Learn how otters play a crucial role in maintaining the health of freshwater ecosystems. Finally, discover secrets of otter care at the Smithsonian National Zoo.
Thurs., Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-044; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
Extreme Cat-itude
Exploring the Biology, Behavior, and Importance of Wild Felines
How much difference exists between a tiger and the fluffy kitten sitting on your sofa? Probably less than you think. Robert Johnson, a professor of biology at Coastal Carolina University, examines the evolution of the Felidae family, highlights big cat species, and sheds light on remarkable small cat species that go all but unnoticed in our modern world. He also provides insight into feline behavior, conservation status, and adaptations that make cats among the most effective predators on the planet. Wed., Aug. 7, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-379; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
Understanding Cephalopod Behavior
Some stories that people tell about octopuses almost defy belief. These animals are said to escape from aquariums, invent tools, make friends, and hold grudges. But how many of these tales are true?
Scientists have indeed documented extraordinary cognitive capacity and behavioral flexibility not only in octopuses but also in their close relatives, squids and cuttlefish, who are all members of the cephalopod group of animals. Biologist Danna Staaf sorts fact from fancy and dissects the question of how intelligent they are to see what we can learn from them about our definition of intelligence.
Mon., Aug. 26, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-384; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
Underwater Volcanoes
From Indonesia to Iceland, hundreds of islands across the globe were formed by once so-called submarine volcanoes. Submarine volcanoes are exactly what they sound like: volcanoes located beneath the ocean’s surface.
Although they know underwater volcanoes behave differently than terrestrial ones, scientists are somewhat in the dark when it comes to understanding them because the eruptions are cloaked from view by thousands of feet of water. Dive deep with volcanologist Samuel Mitchell as he explains what is known about the volcanoes that lie beneath the surface of our oceans and why we should be both curious and cautious about them.
West Mata, near Samoa, is the deepest submarine volcano ever filmed
The Geology of Shenandoah National Park
Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park is situated atop the Blue Ridge, a prominent mountain range formed during the ancient smash-up between ancestral North America and Africa. Known for its spectacular views, the park contains rocks that tell compelling geologic stories. What do stripes in a rock mean? Are those almonds from someone’s trail mix, or are they fossilized volcanic gas bubbles on a boulder? How were the stairway-like sections of the hiking trail up Old Rag Mountain created? Geologist Callan Bentley can read these rocks and translate their tales from deep time.
Music is one of humanity’s oldest medicines. From Eastern countries to the Ottoman Empire, Europe to Africa and the pre-colonial Americas, many cultures have developed their own rich traditions for using sound and rhythm to ease suffering, promote healing, and calm the mind.
Neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin, author of This Is Your Brain on Music, explores the curative powers of music, illustrating why it is one of the most potent therapies today and how it can contribute to the treatment of a host of ailments from neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s to cognitive injury, depression, and pain. His new book, I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine (W.W. Norton), is available for purchase.
How We Healed the Earth …and How We Can Do It Again
Glaciers are melting. Oceans are rising. Surface temperatures worldwide are rising. What’s to be done? We have solved planet-threatening problems before, atmospheric scientist Susan Solomon argues, and we can do it again. The path to success begins when an environmental problem becomes both personal and perceptible to the public, she says.
Solomon connects her 1986 expedition to Antarctica that made discoveries key to healing the damaged ozone layer with the stories of environmental victories to extract the essential elements of what makes change possible. Solomon’s new book, Solvable: How We Healed the Earth, and How We Can Do It Again (University of Chicago Press), is available for purchase.
Social Networks and the Wondrous Complexity of Animal Societies
It’s all about who you know when you’re an animal. For vampire bats sharing blood meals to survive, macaque monkeys forming grooming pacts after a deadly hurricane, and great tit birds learning the best way to steal milk, it pays to be well-connected.
In this tour of the animal kingdom, evolutionary biologist Lee Alan Dugatkin describes social networks that existed long before the dawn of human social media. His new book, The Well-Connected Animal: Social Networks and the Wondrous Complexity of Animal Societies (University of Chicago Press), is available for purchase.
On December 25, 2021, a mighty Ariane 5 rocket raced into the sky from French Guiana, signaling the long-awaited launch of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Now, it has begun a 20-year mission of observation that promises to revolutionize our understanding of the universe.
Kelly Beatty, senior editor at Sky & Telescope magazine, explores how astronomers are using its state-of-the-art instruments and enormous optical system to detect extremely faint infrared objects from both the very near and very distant universe. He discusses the progress to date toward accomplishing the telescope’s scientific goals, such as identifying the earliest stars and galaxies to form after the Big Bang and exploring the planetary systems of other stars.
Black holes are some of the most fascinating and mind-bending objects in the cosmos: gravitational bottomless pits that are predicted by Einstein’s theory of general relativity. The very thing that characterizes a black hole also makes it hard to study: its intense gravity. Nevertheless, the last decade has seen a resurgence of research into black holes and observations of their immediate surroundings. Astronomers have tracked the motion of stars around the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, made images of the glowing material falling toward the gargantuan black hole M87*, and detected the chirps of gravitational waves emanating from merging black holes billions of lightyears away. Astrophysicist Joshua Winn of Princeton University reviews the theory of black holes and these recent observational developments.
Are we alone in the universe? Do other Earth-like planets orbit other stars in the Milky Way? In 2009, NASA launched the Kepler space telescope to answer these questions. What was found contradicted centuries of theoretical and observational work and transformed our understanding of planets, planetary systems, and the stars they orbit.
Jason Steffen, a former member of the science team for NASA’s Kepler mission, offers a unique inside account of the team’s work, mapping its progress from the launch of the rocket that carried Kepler into space to the revelations of the data that began to flow to the supercomputer back at NASA—evidence of strange new worlds unlike anything found in our own solar system.
Steffen’s book, Hidden in the Heavens: How the Kepler Mission’s Quest for New Planets Changed How We View Our Own (Princeton University Press), is available for purchase.
Composite image of the Crab Nebula captured by the Webb Space Telescope
Shadow of black hole M87* captured by the Event Horizon Telescope
The Quest for Cosmic Life
The questions “How did life on Earth begin?” and “Are we alone in the universe?” are arguably two of the most intriguing in science. Attempts to answer them have now led to extraordinarily vibrant and dynamic frontiers of investigation.
Astrophysicist Mario Livio describes how the quest for cosmic life follows two parallel, independent lines of research: cutting-edge laboratory studies aimed at determining whether life can emerge from pure chemistry and advanced astronomical observations searching for signs of life on other planets and moons in the solar system and around stars other than the sun.
Livio’s new book, co-authored with Nobel Prize laureate Jack Szostak, Is Earth Exceptional? The Quest for Cosmic Life (Basic Books), is available for sale.
For many years, dinosaurs were portrayed as ponderous, coldblooded, overgrown monsters. But in the late 1960s, a fundamental change in thinking about these prehistoric beasts occurred after two Yale paleontologists noted that many aspects of their anatomy and biology were much like those of warm-blooded birds and mammals. It was the hugely successful Jurassic Park movie franchise, which began in 1993, that introduced the public to the dinosaur renaissance.
A Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton takes a bite out of a Triceratops horridus skeleton in the National Museum of Natural History
Hans Sues, a paleontologist at the National Museum of Natural History, discusses the main researchers and the arguments behind the new thinking, along with their impact on both evolutionary biology and paleobiology.
Our understanding of dinosaur behavior has long been hampered by the inevitable lack of evidence about animals who went extinct more than 65 million years ago. But with the discovery of new specimens and the development of cutting-edge techniques, paleontologists are making huge advances in reconstructing how dinosaurs lived and acted.
Paleontologist David Hone provides a look at dinosaur biology, diversity, and evolution and describes behavior from feeding and communication to reproduction and combat. His new book, Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior: What They Did and How We Know (Princeton University Press), is available for purchase.
How does nature produce the right numbers of zebras and lions on the African savanna or fish in the ocean? How do our bodies produce the right numbers of cells in our organs and bloodstream? Biologist and author Sean B. Carroll discusses the pioneering scientists who sought the answers to these questions, which came to be known as the “Serengeti Rules,” since many of its studies centered on that African ecosystem.
Carroll examines the interconnectedness of the regulation of life’s elements; illustrates how the knowledge of the rules and logic of the human body has spurred the advent of revolutionary life-saving medicines; and argues that the Serengeti Rules can be used as a guide to heal the planet.
Carroll’s book, The Serengeti Rules: The Quest to Discover How Life Works and Why It Matters (Princeton University Press), is available for purchase.
What do sunflowers, black holes, Salvador Dali’s painting The Sacrament of the Last Supper, the music of Debussy, and the architecture of Le Corbusier have in common? They reflect characteristics described by a curious number known since antiquity called the golden ratio, or phi. This irrational number—which approximates to 1.618—has come to represent the proportions of some ideally pleasing geometrical structures.
Astrophysicist Mario Livio brings the golden ratio to life as he traces its story from ancient Egypt and Greece to the present day. Along the way, he introduces historical figures including the followers of Pythagoras and the astronomer Johannes Kepler and modern-day thinkers and Nobel laureates such as mathematical physicist Roger Penrose and chemist Dan Shechtman.
The open ocean, far from the shore and miles above the sea floor, is a vast and formidable habitat that is home to the most abundant life on our planet, from giant squid and jellyfish to angler fish with bioluminescent lures that draw prey into their toothy mouths. Sea-going scientist Sönke Johnsen explores one of the most mysterious environments on Earth and describes how life in the open sea contends with a host of environmental challenges. He also interweaves stories about the joys and hardships of the scientists who explore this beautiful and mysterious realm, which is rapidly changing under the threat of human activity.
Johnsen is a professor of biology at Duke University. His new book, Into the Great Wide Ocean: Life in the Least Known Habitat on Earth (Princeton University Press), is available for purchase.
Be careful when you next go into your garden: It’s full of killers. You may be familiar with carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap, sundew, or pitcher plant, but a surprising number of plants could be classified as carnivorous—including your geraniums and potentillas. Many true carnivorous plants have surprisingly good relationships with insects. Some pitcher plants feed ants and give them a secure home, others are complete miniature ecosystems, homes for creatures ranging from mosquitoes to frogs.
Steve Nicholls, a wildlife filmmaker with a lifelong interest in botany and horticulture who has produced and directed several films on carnivorous plants, examines this amazing natural world in intimate detail.
in a simulation of two neutron stars forming a black hole
Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.
Art-full Fridays | Live from Italy, with Elaine Ruffolo
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit for each
Elaine Ruffolo, a Florence-based Renaissance art historian, examines the rich heritage of Italian art and architecture
Raphael and Michelangelo
Renaissance Rivalries
The Artistic Feuds of Rome
Rivalries can be contentious and destructive, but they also have fueled the creation of great paintings, sculpture, and architecture. The fierce competition between artistic titans of the 16th century, Michelangelo and Raphael, was legendary—as were those between Caravaggio and Annibale Carracci and Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini. Each pair reflected very different and almost irreconcilable personalities, which in many cases were in direct contrast. Ruffolo surveys the unmistakable hallmarks of these leading artists who challenged each other’s genius and contributed to the extraordinary transformation of Rome in the 17th century.
The Medici: Patronage, Power, and Art in Renaissance Florence
At its height, Renaissance Florence was a center of enormous wealth, power, and influence dominated by rich mercantile families, the most famous being the Medici. From modest beginnings, the Medici rose to become bankers to the pope and many rich and powerful European families. But perhaps their most enduring legacy is their patronage of the arts. Artists such as Brunelleschi, Donatello, Fra Angelico, Botticelli, and Michelangelo all thrived with Medici support.
Ruffolo traces the family’s influence on the political, economic, and cultural history of Florence from the early 1430s with the rise of the dynasty headed by Cosimo de Medici through the golden era under Lorenzo il Magnifico to the achievement of the family’s goal: the papal tiara.
Art is all around us. It excites us, enriches our lives, and enlivens our imaginations. To truly appreciate any work of art, we need to understand the context and culture in which it was created. That’s why Smithsonian Associates offers a World Art History Certificate Program.
Look for World Art History Certificate throughout the program guide to see current listings. Get started today and complete the certificate requirements at your own pace. Registration is ongoing; for a limited time, new participants receive a World Art History Certificate tote bag. Credits are counted from day of registration and are not given retroactively.
SmithsonianAssociates.org/artcertificate
Procession of the Youngest King by Benozzo Gozzoli
World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit Chinese Art: From
the Bronze Age to the People’s Republic
With a dynamic history that spans the Neolithic period to the modern age, Chinese civilization has produced some of the world’s most remarkable artistic creations. Robert DeCaroli, a professor in the department of history and art history at George Mason University, examines how shifts in China’s social, religious, and political life have influenced transformations in its material culture.
4-session series: Thurs., Aug. 1–22, 6:30 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1J0-380; Members $100; Nonmembers $110
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
The Provenance Trap
How Forgers Fool the Art World
“The world wishes to be deceived, so let it be deceived.” This motto attributed to the Roman satirist Petronius is as true now as it was in the 1st century. While today fake news steals the headlines, the history of art forgery is packed with stories of tricksters who, while more pranksters than gangsters, succeeded in fooling the art world and profiting while doing so.
Art historian Noah Charney uncovers the “provenance trap,” a methodology in five variables that have most often and most successfully led to forgers fooling experts. He dives into a series of intriguing, quirky, and enlightening case studies involving famous forgers Han van Meegeren, John Myatt, Eric Hebborn, Ely Sakhai, and Shaun Greenhalgh.
Tues., Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-826; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Rodin and the
Birth of Modern Sculpture
Auguste Rodin is considered the father of modern sculpture. Yet his works were deeply inspired by ancient classical and Renaissance art. Art historian Judy Scott Feldman explores how Rodin’s fascination, even obsession, with earlier figural traditions inspired his fusion of tradition and innovation in “The Kiss,” “The Gates of Hell,” and his powerful “Monument to Balzac.”
She examines why Rodin was absorbed by the Parthenon sculptures he saw at the British Museum; how his visit to Italy and his encounter with the sculptures of Michelangelo transformed his treatment of the male nude; and why he created a prolific output of fragments including hands, feet, and headless torsos.
Tues., Aug. 13, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-588; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Marie Laurencin
Painter of Sapphic Paris
Beginning in the early 20th century, French artist Marie Laurencin (1883–1956) created a unique pictorial world that placed women at the center of modern art. With a highly original painting style, Laurencin moved seamlessly between the male-dominated Cubist avant-garde, lesbian literary and artistic circles, and the realms of fashion, ballet, and decorative arts. Barnes Foundation docent Joe Caliva discusses “Marie Laurencin: Sapphic Paris,” a recent exhibition at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. Caliva explores Laurencin’s career, including her selfportraits, early Cubist paintings, and signature work—feminine and discreetly queer—that helped define 1920s Paris.
Wed., Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-046; Members $25; Nonmembers $30 Exhibition view of “Marie Laurencin: Sapphic Paris” at the Barnes Foundation
A Tang Dynasty glazed pottery horse from the collection of the Shanghai Museum
“The Kiss” by Rodin, 1886 Musée Rodin, Paris
Art forger Han van Meegeren at work on a fake Vermeer, 1945
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Jacob Lawrence and The Migration Series
Jacob Lawrence was one of America’s greatest painters of Black life and a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He was known for his series paintings, in which he documented important moments in global Black history through a sequence of painted panels.
Art historian LaNitra M. Berger examines one of Lawrence’s best-known projects, The Migration Series. Painted in 1941, the set of 60 captioned panels illustrates African Americans’ historic migration from the deep South to the North in the early 20th century. Berger discusses the historical context of Lawrence’s work and analyzes the paintings, providing an understanding of how the series contributes to our knowledge of African American history and culture.
Mon., Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-827; Members $20; Nonmembers $25
Lesser-Known Museums of Florence
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit for each
In this quarterly series, Renaissance art expert Rocky Ruggiero spotlights the significant collections of Florence’s sometimes-overlooked museums.
Museum of the Convent of San Marco
The convent of San Marco, transformed into a museum in the 19th century, houses one of Florence’s most spectacular collections of sacred art. Decorated with frescoes painted by Fra Angelico and once home to the fiery preacher Girolamo Savonarola, the building is steeped in art, history, and culture and offers a sense of religious life in 15th-century Florence. Ruggiero delves into the art and history of the museum, where Dominican friars have lived for nearly 600 years.
Wed., Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-385; Members $30; Nonmembers $35
Museum of Orsanmichele
Begun in 1337, the ground floor of Orsanmichele church in Florence, Italy, was originally a loggia-style market. When it was transformed, the inside was decorated with paintings of saints and the outside with statues by artists such as Donatello, Ghiberti, and Verrocchio. Today, the upper floor of Orsanmichele is a museum where all but one of the original sculptures are on display, while copies of the statues stand in the original niches on the outside of the church. Ruggiero highlights this museum and its treasures.
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Panel 1, The Migration Series by Jacob Lawrence, 1941
Saint Dominic Adoring the Crucifixion, fresco by Fra Angelico
“Four Crowned Martyrs” by Nanni di Banco
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Surrealism: From France to Latin America
While surrealism originated in Paris in the 1920s, it had enormous international impact. Michele Greet, the director of the art history program at George Mason University, follows the spread of surrealism to Latin America with a special focus on exhibitions such as the surrealist exhibition in Lima, Peru, in 1935 and the International Surrealist Exhibition held in Mexico City in 1940. The work of female artists in the movement, including Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington, and Remedios Varo, is also covered.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo: A Creative Partnership
Art historian Joseph P. Cassar takes a close look at the works of Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo as he examines their relationship as husband and wife and how their marriage affected each other’s work. Even though Rivera assured her of her talent, Kahlo remained in the shadow of the internationally famous painter, with limited recognition during her lifetime for her own career as an artist. Their similarities and contrasts in art and character are discussed by Cassar in an illustrated presentation that references key examples of their work and culminates in one of Kahlo’s most notable accomplishments: the purchase of one of her works by the Louvre in 1939.
Installation views of “Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960”; images courtesy of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, photos by Rick Coulby
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
The Hirshhorn at 50
In celebration of its 50th-anniversary season, the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden has installed a major survey of artwork made during a transformative period characterized by new currents in science and philosophy, ever-increasing mechanization, and dramatic social change.
“Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960” captures shifting cultural landscapes through a largely chronological presentation. Along the way, select contemporary artworks demonstrate how the themes and subjects of early 20th-century artists remain vital today.
Marina Isgro, associate curator, offers insights into the exhibition, which comprises rotating artworks in the museum’s permanent collection by 117 artists—including Francis Bacon, Jean Dubuffet, Lee Krasner, Wifredo Lam, Jacob Lawrence, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Jackson Pollock—made during 100 turbulent and energetic years.
La huida (detail) by Remedios Varo, 1961, Museo de Arte Moderno
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Palladio and the Villa Culture
of the Veneto
Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio is best known for his majestic villas scattered throughout the Veneto countryside. Ranging from working farms to country residences, these structures reflect the contemporary view that spending time away from the chaos of the city was a path to moral betterment and provided the opportunity to engage in intellectual pursuits surrounded by the beauty of a pastoral setting.
Art historian Sophia D’Addio explores the architecture and context of several of Palladio’s villas in connection with his influential writings on villa design in The Four Books of Architecture. She highlights the Villa Barbaro, Villa Emo, and the iconic Villa Almerico-Capra, known as the Villa Rotonda, and examines a selection of painted decorations that adorn them.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
The Many Faces of the Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has sparked countless theories— from the well-established to the farfetched. But a set of 16th- and 17th-century copies scattered in collections from Russia to Spain complicate the mystery of the world’s most famous painting and have led collectors, museum professionals, and art historians to question what they think they know about the world’s most famous portrait.
Prado Mona Lisa, c. 1507–1516
Art historian Laura Morelli unravels the complexities and controversies of these “other Mona Lisas,” exploring the various theories, known history, and artistic nuances of the so-called Prado Mona Lisa, St. Petersburg Mona Lisa, Islesworth Mona Lisa, Chantilly Mona Lisa, and lesser-known renditions of Leonardo’s original masterpiece.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Greek Vase-Painting:
Gods and Humans
What can a painted vase tell us about the lives and beliefs of the ancient Greeks? A lot, actually. The human activities and mythological subjects depicted on vessels from the 7th through the 5th century B.C.E. provide invaluable insights. The images range from simple paintings of young women fetching water to complex scenes involving heroic deeds and Homeric tales.
Art historian Renee Gondek explores the stories illustrated and highlights the artistry of the best-known painters, in addition to explaining the functions of the vessel shapes as well as the painting techniques.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Audubon Redrawn
A New Look at the Artist and The Birds of America
John James Audubon—naturalist, artist, and creator of The Birds of America—is widely regarded as America’s first great watercolorist, but his artistic journey has never been examined. Art historian Roberta J. M. Olson, author of Audubon as Artist: A New Look at The Birds of America, explores how Audubon studied both past and concurrent artists to forge innovative works of fine art. Olson delves into the contemporary controversies surrounding this legendary figure, who, for the first time in history, accurately represented all avian species life-size.
Experience the power of reflective writing guided by the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, Mary Hall Surface. These reflections can become creative fertile ground for memoir, poetry, and more. The workshops have a limited enrollment to maximize interaction among the instructor and students
Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art
Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. In a series of five online workshops, explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. The sessions spotlight a diverse range of visual art chosen to inspire writers of all experience levels to deepen their process and practice.
Inspired by contemporary works by American artist Margaret Boozer, poet Jane Hirshfield. and other sources, explore the bowl as a metaphor for our lives and the world. Designed for writers of all levels and for the curious, the workshop invites you to look outwardly at art and poetry and to look inwardly through writing.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Camille Pissarro: Faithful Impressionist
The Danish-French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro was an odd man out among the Impressionist fold. He was Jewish, a native of St. Thomas, and older than his fellow artists Monet, Renoir, and Sisley, though he remained faithful to their avant-garde style. Despite their differences and politics—the Dreyfus Affair split the colleagues—Pissarro was the only artist to exhibit in all eight French Impressionist group exhibitions held between 1874 and 1886. Art historian Bonita Billman examines Pissarro’s landscapes and genre subjects and his range of materials and forms including charcoal drawings, watercolors, etchings, and oil paintings. Thurs., Sept. 19, 12 p.m.; CODE 1M2-340; Members $25; Nonmembers $30
Mary Hall Surface
Eight Red Bowls by Margaret Boozer, 2000
Subway by Lily Furedi, 1934
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
Vermeer: In Praise of the Ordinary
Johannes Vermeer was a master of light and color. His artistry rests in his ability to transform a simple daily activity—such as pouring a jug of milk or reading a letter—into a sensitive exploration of human psychology. Gloriously lit, serene, and exquisitely rendered, masterpieces like The Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Milkmaid, Girl with the Red Hat, and The Music Lesson continue to speak to us through their ability to touch on some of the most universal ideas in human experience.
Art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine discusses Vermeer’s place within the artistic cultures of Holland and his native city; examines some of his favorite themes; and his legacy as reflected in the work of artists and writers following Vermeer’s rediscovery in the late 19th century.
Fri., Sept. 13, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1K0-508; Members $80; Nonmembers $90
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Ghosts and Spirits in Buddhism
The Buddhist world is alive with the supernatural. Ghosts and spirits, which the religion often describes as living out the consequences of past actions, wander the world imbued with the capacity for either great kindness or terrible wickedness.
Art historian Robert DeCaroli tells the stories of the hungry ghosts, demons, and nature spirits who have haunted Buddhism since its earliest days. He reveals their contributions to Buddhism’s development and shares examples from art and literature drawn from across Asia.
The Bhavachakra (Wheel of Life) symbolically represents realms of existence, including that of the “hungry ghost”
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Still Life with Flowers in an Alabaster Vase and Fruit by Anne Vallayer-Coster, 1783
Lost and Found
A
Rediscovered Masterpiece Blooms at the National Gallery
of Art
In 1783, a gorgeous still-life of flowers and fruit was displayed at the prestigious Salon in Paris by one of its few female members, Anne VallayerCoster. She kept Still Life with Flowers in an Alabaster Vase and Fruit, despite receiving many offers for it, and her husband held onto it after her death. But the painting disappeared after he died in 1824.
Happily, Still Life with Flowers in an Alabaster Vase and Fruit was rediscovered in 2022 and now is at the National Gallery of Art (NGA). Aaron Wile, NGA associate curator of French painting, explores this work’s fascinating story and Vallayer-Coster’s life.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
The Etruscans: A Style All Their Own
Explore the heart of Italy during the first millennium B.C.E. through a journey into the enigmatic world of the Etruscans. With Etruscan writings completely untranslated, modern scholarship draws most of its knowledge of the civilization from archaeological deposits in central Italy. Contemporaries of the ancient Greeks and Romans, the Etruscans maintained a distinctive language and visual culture with an emphasis on the afterlife. Using masterworks of Etruscan painting, sculpture, and metalwork excavated from tombs in central Italy, art historian Laura Morelli offers a glimpse into how members of this lesser-known culture adorned the places where they planned to spend eternity and the incredible luxury objects they took with them.
Two dancers from the Tomb of the Triclinium in the necropolis of Monterozzi (detail)
World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit
Enduring Themes in Western Art
Over the centuries, major themes in art continue to appear and reappear. Portraiture, landscapes, religious images, and the human figure are a few notable examples of areas that artists have interpreted in styles ranging from the naturalistic to the surreal. Art historian Joseph Cassar examines important masterworks within these genres, offering new ways to understand and appreciate their similarities as well as the uniqueness of the artists and the cultural norms that influenced them.
4-session series: Wed., Oct. 9–30, 10:30 a.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1K0-504; Members $100; Nonmembers $110
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
French Fortresses and Fantasies
Châteaux of the Loire Valley
From forbidding fortresses to charming châteaux and castles, the splendid structures of the Loire Valley reflect lives of opulence and intrigue. Medieval fortresses built for defense with moats and towers gradually gave way to spectacular Renaissance pleasure palaces. Sumptuous elegance, not comfort, was the primary design principle of the châteaux. Ornamented with paintings and sculptures and surrounded by reflecting pools and perfectly manicured gardens, they make the mansions of today’s rich and famous seem austere by comparison.
Art historian Janetta Rebold Benton showcases these historic places and sets them in the context of French history.
2-session series: Sat., Oct. 19 and 26, 1:30–4 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1D0-066; Members $80; Nonmembers $95
World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit
Eve as Artist
A History of Women Artists in the Western World
There have been successful professional women artists in the Western world since the time of the ancient Greeks. Yet many of their names were lost and their works misattributed for centuries until the modern women’s movement sparked scholarly and popular interest in these remarkable individuals, with painters such as Mary Cassatt, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Frida Kahlo reaching the status of international icons.
But these modern superstars didn’t evolve within a vacuum: They descended from the centuries of celebrated artists who form the basis of a wide-ranging examination by art historian Nancy G. Heller. In a richly illustrated series, she traces the history of European and American women artists from the late 16th century to 1950. She addresses the socioeconomic, political, and aesthetic significance of their work, placing the women’s lives and art within the context of their male contemporaries.
5-session series: Thurs., Nov. 7–Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m. (no class Nov. 28); detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2-350; Members $110; Nonmembers $130
Gardens of the Château de Villandry
Marie-Antoinette after ÉlisabethLouise Vigée Le Brun, 1783
La Grande Odalisque by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, 1814
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
The 10 Greatest Photographs of All Time
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce exposed the first photograph in 1826. Now, thanks to smartphone technology, more photographs are made each day than were taken in the history of the world before the start of the 21st century. Historian Clay Jenkinson has chosen 10 magnificent images to explore how great photographs epitomize a moment or an era, capture an extraordinary event, provide a window into the human condition, or fill us with appreciation and wonder.
Jenkinson tells the backstory of each photograph, covering who took it, when, under what circumstances, what has happened in the aftermath, and what influence the image has had on the world. He also reveals some of his runners-up and honorable mentions in assembling his top 10. Audience members are encouraged to nominate their own favorites to add to the discussion.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
The Artist’s Palette
Insights into Painterly Genius
Just as writers use a pen to articulate their thoughts on paper and a musician employs an instrument to convey melodies and harmonies, artists use their palette as a vehicle for expressing their creative vision. Art historian Alexandra Loske explores this symbiotic relationship, pairing artists’ palettes with their masterpieces to unveil fresh perspectives on their creative journey, individual tastes, and the historical context shaping their artistry. Loske explores the studios of creators such as Rembrandt, John Singer Sargent, Vincent van Gogh, Helen Frankenthaler, and others, revealing the reflections of their lives imbued within their materials—and how behind every great painting there’s a palette that tells its story.
Loske’s book The Artist’s Palette (Princeton University Press) is available for purchase.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
The Arts and Crafts Movement
Humanity, Simplicity, Beauty
The Arts and Crafts Movement was a dominant influence in visual and decorative arts and architecture in the decades leading up to and after the turn of the 20th century. Growing out of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and Aesthetic movements in England, it offered an artistic and philosophical reaction to the florid, overdecorated, and industrialized designs of the high-Victorian era.
William Morris’s pronouncements on beauty, utility, nature, and the joy of handcraftsmanship guided the movement’s artists. Rejecting machine work as deadening to workers and mass-produced commercial goods as aesthetically inferior, Morris revived many craft arts such as tapestry and bookmaking. Across the Atlantic, the Arts and Crafts philosophy challenged the opulence and crassness of America’s Gilded Age and influenced a new generation of creators. Art historian Bonita Billman explores the rich flowering and legacy of a movement whose influence is still felt.
Sat., Nov. 16, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2-352; Members $100; Nonmembers $120
Camille Pissarro, The Artist's Palette with a Landscape, ca. 1878–1880
Lunch Atop a Skyscraper, by Charles Clyde Ebbets, 1932
Cabinet, 1904, designed by Stickley Brothers
IN PERSON
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In-person classes are taught by professional artists and teachers. View detailed class descriptions and supply lists at SmithsonianAssociates.org/studio. View portfolios of work by our instructors at SmithsonianAssociates.org/art instructors.
ART THEORY AND PRACTICE
Art Journaling for Self-Expression
After being guided through mindfulness activities, delve into emphasizing process over product and play over perfection. This class is grounded in both creative theory and therapeutic principles that deepen your relationship with yourself as an artist and as a person.
By Carter Umhau
IN PERSON: Tues., Oct. 8–29, 10:30 a.m.; Carter Umhau; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0PV; Members $145; Nonmembers $160
NEW
CLASS
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit
Composition Studies in the Museum
Take what you know and apply it in a museum as you study and dissect works of art in the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden’s anniversary show, “Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860-1960.” Further examine the fundamental concepts of composition as you analyze and appreciate visual art. This is a companion class to Composition Studies.
Installation view of “Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960”
IN PERSON: Mon., Oct. 28, 10 a.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; CODE 1E0-0LP; Members $45; Nonmembers $60
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
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CLASS
Museum Discoveries
Drawing Sculptures at the Hirshhorn
Discover the sculptures of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in this artful treasure hunt. Practice your observation and sketching skills alongside other participants while you are surrounded by modern and contemporary artworks.
IN PERSON: Sat., Sept. 14, 10:15 a.m.; Renee Sandell; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; CODE 1E0-0HF; Members $110; Nonmembers $125
Beginning Drawing
This course teaches the basic skills needed for a strong foundation for drawing. Working with a variety of materials and techniques, including charcoal and pencils, students explore the rendering of geometric forms, volume, and perspective, with an emphasis on personal gesture marks.
IN PERSON: Tues., Oct. 8–Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m., no class Nov. 5 and 26; George Tkabladze; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0NP; Members $275; Nonmembers $310
Intermediate Drawing
Participants refine and expand their drawing skills through studio practice in traditional media. Sessions focus on classic subject areas such as landscape, portrait, and figure; warmup exercises, critiques, and demonstrations are included.
IN PERSON: Tues., Oct. 8–Dec. 10, 2 p.m., no class Nov. 5 and 26; George Tkabladze, Ripley Center; CODE 1E00NQ; Members $280; Nonmembers $315
By George Tkabladze
NEW
Student artwork
Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain
Take this drawing fundamentals class as your first step in learning to draw. You learn to translate that stunning image in your mind or what you see in front of you onto paper, building a strong foundation for your drawing or painting practice.
IN PERSON: Wed., Oct. 9–Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m., no class Nov. 27; Shahin Talishkhan; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0PE; Members $275; Nonmembers $310
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit
Introduction to Pastels and Graphite
Cézanne-Inspired
Still-Life Compositions
The vibrant medium of pastel was a favorite of Impressionist artists because of its luminosity and color layering effects. Explore combining the use of graphite with pastels in this course that includes demonstrations and lectures on color theory, color mixing, optical mixing, and composition. For inspiration, works by Cézanne are viewed and discussed.
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Intermediate Oil Painting
IN PERSON: Sun., Oct. 20 and Nov. 3, 11 a.m.; Sandra Gobar; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0ML; Members $115; Nonmembers $140
Expand on your technical background and grow your practice as an oil painter. This class provides students with the opportunity to work on personal projects, set up a still-life arrangement, and explore figure painting from a live model. Unfurl your style with support and feedback from the instructor.
By Shahin Talishkhan
IN PERSON: Sat., Oct. 19–Nov. 23, 10:15 a.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0LW; Members $280; Nonmembers $315
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
En Plein Air Painting
in a Smithsonian Garden
Post-Impressionism
Inspired by Cézanne
By Sandra Gobar
Using watercolors, capture the nuances of the natural light in the beautiful Enid A. Haupt Garden next to the Smithsonian Castle. Study the delicate subtleties of the plants and learn to translate your observations into stunning PostImpressionistic studies and paintings.
IN PERSON: Sun., Aug. 18 and 25, 11 a.m.; Sandra Gobar; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0HZ; Members $115; Nonmembers $140
Beginning Oil Painting
In this course, gain the technical background and experience you need to get started as a painter. Lectures, demonstrations, and experimentation introduce the medium of oils. Working from museum masterpieces, still-life arrangements, or your favorite photos, explore basic techniques, including color-mixing, scumbling, and glazing.
IN PERSON: Wed., Oct. 9–Dec. 4, 2:30 p.m., no class Nov. 27; Shahin Talishkhan; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0PF; Members $275; Nonmembers $310
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MIXED MEDIA
Dissecting Design with Abstract Collage
Learn to understand design and composition in nonobjective mixedmedia art. Examine works by various artists to discern the elements of composition, how they were used, and how they are expressed in different styles. Then apply what you learn to your practice.
IN PERSON: Sat., Aug. 10–Sept. 14, 1 p.m.; no class Aug. 31; Sharon Robinson; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0HP; Members $165; Nonmembers $200 By Sharon Robinson
Still Life with Apples and Peaches by Paul Cézanne, 1905
IN PERSON
Fundamentals of Abstract Collage
By Sharon Robinson
Collage is an amazingly versatile art form. In this beginner-level course, learn about tools, adhesives, materials, and appropriate bases for supporting a collage. Make different papers using common materials and discover how image transfers and 3D embellishments can be applied.
IN PERSON: Wed., Oct. 9–Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0PH; Members $165; Nonmembers $190
Mixed Media Remix
Rev up your collage and mixedmedia experience and incorporate dimension into your artwork with an expanded repertoire of materials and techniques.
IN PERSON: Sat., Oct. 19–Nov. 9, 1 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0LS; Members $165; Nonmembers $190
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By Sharon Robinson
Embroidered Patch Workshop
Use basic stitches to create an embroidered rainbow watermelon patch to embellish a favorite jacket or pair of jeans. Learn how to prepare fabric with a simple design, then ready a hoop and begin stitching.
By Heather Kerley
IN PERSON: Sat., Aug. 17, 11 a.m.; Heather Kerley; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0LD; Members $55; Nonmembers $70
Freestyle Embroidery Basics
In this introduction to freestyle hand embroidery, a style in which the stitches are applied freely, students learn how to select and prepare fabric using a simple design, ready their hoop, and begin stitching.
IN PERSON: Sat., Sept. 7, 11 a.m.; Heather Kerley; CODE 1E0-0HG; Ripley Center; Members $55; Nonmembers $70
By Heather Kerley
By Susana Romero
Wool Embroidery from the Andes
Discover the joy of this craft characterized by colorful floral designs embroidered with wool in a style that originated in the Andean mountains of Peru. Create a design using a variety of stitches that can be applied to future projects.
IN PERSON: Wed., Oct. 9–Nov. 6, 1:30 p.m.; Susana Romero; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0PJ; Members $195; Nonmembers $230
NEW CLASSES
Painting with Wool
Use your knowledge of the principles of art and design as you create compositions, blend colors, and form shadows to evoke realistic or abstract painted images with felt. Play with the possibilities of felt to create 3D and relief effects.
IN PERSON: Sat., Sept. 7 and Sun., Sept. 8, 10:30 a.m.; Renate Maile-Moskowitz; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0EU; Members $185; Nonmembers $210 By
Renate Maile-Moskowitz
Knitting Day Camp
Help with Projects
The knitting doctor is in: Bring a project that you want help starting, one that you are stuck on, or something you would like advice on. Draw on the instructor’s expertise and fellow students’ ideas to brainstorm solutions and suggestions.
IN PERSON: Sat., Aug. 24, 10:30 a.m.; Ann Richards; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0HS; Members $60; Nonmembers $75
Meet our Instructors
View portfolios of work by our instructors at SmithsonianAssociates.org/art instructors
In-person Classes are taught by professional artists and teachers.
IN PERSON
SCULPTURE n n n n
Figure Sculpture
Learn clay techniques and gain an understanding of the human body, gestures, and expressions as you sculpt a portrait, torso, or full-figure piece by working from life. Focus on tool use, armatures, anatomy, and proportion and explore individual style.
IN PERSON: Tues., Oct. 8–Dec. 10, 6 p.m., no class Nov. 5 and 26; George Tkabladze; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0NR; Members $315; Nonmembers $350
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By Andargé Asfaw
By George Tkabladze
Photographing with Your DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
Take more control of your camera by getting out of auto settings and learning about the role of ISO and how to best use your shutter and aperture priority modes. Learn how to influence depth of field for aesthetic purposes. The instructor helps students with camera set-up.
IN PERSON: Sun., Nov. 20, 10:15 a.m.; Eliot Cohen; Ripley Center; CODE 1E00MH; Members $225; Nonmembers $250
By Eliot Cohen
Introduction to Photography
Whether you want to work in digital or film, this course offers a solid foundation for new photographers ready to learn the basics. Topics include camera functions, exposure, metering, working with natural and artificial light, and composition.
TWO IN-PERSON OPTIONS: Tues., Oct. 8–Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m., no class Nov. 5 and 26 (CODE 1E0-0NL); Wed., Oct. 9–Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m., no class Nov. 27 (CODE 1E0-0NZ); Andargé Asfaw; Ripley Center; Members $245; Nonmembers $280
The Photo Essay
Learn how to create a photo essay, a set of photographs that tells a story or evokes a series of emotions.
Homework assignments are designed to encourage students to explore their personal interests.
IN PERSON: Wed., Oct. 16 and Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0PL; Members $90; Nonmembers $115
On-Location Photography
By Joe Yablonsky
Learn to capture this vibrant capital city and sharpen your way of thinking about shooting outdoors in a course that focuses on deploying a minimal amount of equipment and a lot of fresh perspective. Emphasis is placed on what happens before the shutter release is pressed and on truly previsualizing the photograph.
IN PERSON: Sun., Oct. 20–Dec. 8, 1:45 p.m., no class Oct. 27 and Dec. 1; Joe Yablonsky; Ripley Center; CODE 1E00MJ; Members $195; Nonmembers $230
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ONLINE
Online classes are taught by professional artists and teachers. View detailed class descriptions and supply lists at SmithsonianAssociates.org/studio. View portfolios of work by our instructors at SmithsonianAssociates.org/art instructors.
ART THEORY AND PRACTICE
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Composition
This workshop examines fundamental concepts of composition and their practical application in studio-art practice, offering participants tools to enrich their work as well as to analyze and appreciate visual art in general.
Moroccan Café by Matisse, 1913
ONLINE: Mon., Aug. 5–19, 6:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; CODE 1E0-0KF; Members $125; Nonmembers $150
Curating a Life: Art as Memoir
Keep a visual-thinking journal as you learn to see like an artist and create works of art that are personally meaningful. Then use text, images, and newly developed visual-thinking skills to create a “memoir museum”—a handmade map that traces where you’ve been in your life and where you have yet to explore.
By Renee Sandell
ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 9–Nov. 20, 3:30 p.m., no class Oct. 30; Renee Sandell; CODE 1E0-0PD; Members $225; Nonmembers $260
Color Theory and Practice
Explore the basics of color theory including temperature, value, and harmony-creating color schemes. In three hands-on projects, learn to use a color wheel with tinting and toning, color charts, and color harmony studies.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Composition Studies
This 2-session course focuses on the essential concepts of composition and how to apply them to studio art practice. In addition, the instructor prompts participants to visit a museum during the week between sessions (see related class Composition Studies in the Museum, p. 46).
Installation view of “Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960”
ONLINE: Mon., Oct. 21 and Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; CODE 1E0-0LK; Members $85; Nonmembers $105
Hues in Harmony
Color Mixing and Maximizing Your Palette
Refamiliarize yourself with the fundamentals of color theory while learning a new approach to mixing color. Gain a deeper understanding of complementary color relationships so that you can more intuitively mix colors and harness color harmonies to better express depth as well as the contrast between light and shadow.
By Nick Cruz Velleman
ONLINE: Tues., Oct. 29–Dec. 10, 1:30 p.m., no class Nov. 5 and 26; Nick Cruz Velleman; CODE 1E0-0NX; Members $190; Nonmembers $225
DRAWING n n n n
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Drawing Light and How the Masters Did It
Learn the strategies Rembrandt, Daumier, and Cézanne used to harness light in their images. Participants investigate how these masters manipulated light to unify, intensify, and give dimension to their images. In-class exercises focus on using graphite to draw studies of masterworks.
ONLINE: Tues., Aug. 6–Sept. 10, 1 p.m.; Nick Cruz Velleman; CODE 1E0-0JA; Members $210; Nonmembers $245
By Nick Cruz Velleman
Exploring Alcohol Inks
Take a dive into the possibilities of alcohol inks as a component of your mixed-media arsenal. With intense, saturated color, alcohol inks offer many possibilities on a variety of surfaces, from tiles to paper.
ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 7–28, 6:30 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; CODE 1E0-0JP; Members $150; Nonmembers
By Sharon Robinson
$175
Oil Pastels for Beginners
By Lori VanKirk Schue
Oil pastels behave like chalk pastels but possess characteristics similar to those of wax crayons. While producing a painterly effect, oil pastels can be applied with a limited degree of layering. Students learn proper application and blending techniques.
ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 8 and 15, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; CODE 1E0-0HW; Members $95; Nonmembers $120
Children’s Book Illustration
Creating illustrations for a children’s book is fun once you know the basics. Find out how to start; fit illustrations to the storyline; choose mediums that are most successful; transform reality into whimsy; and listen to an author to gain insight into the vision for the story and its characters.
By Lori VanKirk Schue
ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 22 and 29, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; CODE 1E0-0HU; Members $105; Nonmembers $130
Complete Colored Pencils
Colored pencil, an often-overlooked dry medium, is coming into its own. Whether used in fine art or illustration, colored pencils can enliven work with rich, vibrant color and a dizzying range of effects. Learn basic to intermediate methods and strategies.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
The Mark of van Gogh
This introduction to Vincent van Gogh’s accomplishments in drawing pays particular attention to his unique and instantly recognizable touch. Participants investigate how his imaginative mark making forms his images. In-class exercises revolve around drawing studies of his masterworks.
By Nick Cruz Velleman
ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 8–22, 1 p.m.; Nick Cruz Velleman; CODE 1E0-0HV; Members $135; Nonmembers $160
Advantages to providing your email to customer service:
• Receive a digital version of the member program guide so you can read it anywhere
• Receive important notices regarding your class along with other useful information
ONLINE: Thurs., Oct. 17 and 24, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; CODE 1E0-0MY; Members $135; Nonmembers $160
Keeping up the Sketchbook Habit
Jump-start your creative ideas by enriching your sketchbooking with new techniques. Learn how to map your day, get creative with colored pencil on midtone kraft paper, and draw one object over several weeks.
ONLINE: Sat., Oct. 19, Nov. 9, and Dec. 7, 10 a.m.; Sue Fierston; CODE 1E0-0LX; Members $165; Nonmembers $190
Digital Drawing Fundamentals
Learn to use the iPad, Apple Pencil, and Procreate for illustration and animation. With this minimal toolset, artists can create a wide range of visuals. Students get an introductory lecture on the basics of digital art production, demonstrations, and experience drawing in Procreate on an iPad.
ONLINE: Sat., Oct. 19, 1 p.m.; Mike O’Brien; CODE 1E0-0LY; Members $55; Nonmembers $70
By Mike O’Brien
By Lori VanKirk Schue
By Sue Fierston
Beginning Drawing
This course teaches the basic skills needed for a strong foundation for drawing. Working with a variety of materials and techniques, including charcoal and pencils, students explore the rendering of geometric forms, volume, and perspective, with an emphasis on personal gesture marks.
ONLINE: Sun., Oct. 20–Dec. 15, 10:15 a.m., no class Dec. 1; Josh Highter; CODE 1E0-0MK; Members $260; Nonmembers $295
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Exploring Color in Watercolor
Take control of your palette as you enhance your knowledge and understanding of color theory in watercolor. Learn practical skills such as identifying and mixing colors correctly.
By Lubna Zahid
ONLINE: Tues., Oct. 8–Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m., no class Nov. 5 and 26; Lubna Zahid; CODE 1E0-0NU; Members $275; Nonmembers $310
Landscape Elements in Watercolor
Capture the atmosphere and beauty of a scene in your watercolor landscape by gaining confidence in your ability to paint important natural elements.
Demonstrations and exercises introduce techniques to create flowing landscapes.
ONLINE: Tues., Oct. 8–Dec. 10, 5 p.m., no class Nov. 5 and 26; Lubna Zahid; CODE 1E0-0NV; Members $275; Nonmembers $310
Introduction to Watercolor
Beginning students explore watercolor techniques and learn new approaches to painting through demonstration, discussion, and experimentation.
ONLINE: Tues., Oct. 8–Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m., no class Nov. 5 and 26; Josh Highter; CODE 1E0-0NS; Members $260; Nonmembers $295
NEW CLASSES
Beginning Watercolor Magic
Begin your watercolor journey by coming to understand color and trying the simple techniques that help you use this magical art material. Prepare yourself for success with the correct supplies in combination with fun guided practice that explains the methods used to paint portraits, landscapes, and still-life arrangements.
Through various exercises, students gain mastery over their technique, tools, and use of color while experimenting with mixedmedia additions of their choice. Students work to develop their own visual language while formulating a focused idea for a cohesive series, which is worked on during the course of the class.
Before photography was available, botanical illustration was the only way of visually recording plant life. This class walks you through the process of capturing the essence of beautiful florals through the wet-in-wet method.
The limitless creative possibilities of watercolor can be a bit intimidating for beginning students. In this series, focus on the basics with methods that narrow parameters. Learn what supplies make all the difference and how to manipulate your brush to create flowing lines.
Spend the day learning to capture your travels with flowing lines and painterly colors. Discover how to simplify a scene and to compose and draw more organically and confidently. This technique is perfect for studies, travel journals, and finished fine art.
Students learn how to paint expressive portraits as they improve their observational skills, ability to see angles and shapes, and understanding of color and value. The class emphasizes how to define a subject’s unique features by determining shapes of light and shadow. Students may work from a bust or statue or copy a painting or photograph.
ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 16–Nov. 20, 7 p.m.; Eric Westbrook; CODE 1E0-0PM; Members $225; Nonmembers $260
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Drawing Light
How the Masters Did It in Color
Using watercolor, learn the strategies Delacroix, Turner, Monet, and Cézanne employed to manipulate the viewer’s experience of light in their images. In-class exercises focus on making studies of masterworks to create similar luminous effects.
ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 30–Dec. 11, 1:30 p.m., no class Nov. 27; Nick Cruz Velleman; CODE 1E0-0PP; Members $225; Nonmembers $260
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Sketching Turner
Expressing Atmosphere and Skies in Watercolor
This course is an introduction to J.M.W. Turner’s vast achievements in watercolor, with particular attention to his manner of expressing light and atmosphere. In-class exercises revolve around making studies of his masterworks with an emphasis on creating cohesive sketches, not replicas.
ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 30–Dec. 4, 10 a.m., no class Nov. 27; Nick Cruz Velleman; CODE 1E0-0PN; Members $190; Nonmembers $225
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Exploring Abstraction
Explore the basis of abstraction by studying color, line, and shape as they relate to composition. Learn to create exciting, innovative works of art using drawing, painting, and collage exercises designed to examine nontraditional ways of handling traditional materials and subject matter.
ONLINE: Thurs., Oct. 10–Dec. 5, 12 p.m., no class Nov. 28; Delna Dastur; CODE 1E00MU; Members $260; Nonmembers $295
Altered Books
Create your own story as you learn to upcycle book pages as surfaces for drawing, painting, and collage using gelatin plate prints, textures, photo transfers, drawing, painting, and text redaction.
By Marcie Wolf-Hubbard
ONLINE: Thurs., Oct. 17–Dec. 12, 1:30 p.m., no class Nov. 28; Marcie Wolf-Hubbard; CODE 1E0-0NA; Members $250; Nonmembers $285
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
By Cindy Briggs
By Eric Westbrook
By Nick Cruz Velleman
By Nick Cruz Velleman
By Delna Dastur
Collage and Mixed Media
Students are introduced to the materials, tools, and technologies used in collage and assemblage. They explore the use of text, images, texture, and natural and found objects as they create collage, mixed-media, or assemblage projects.
ONLINE: Thurs., Oct. 17–Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m., no class Nov. 28; Marcie Wolf-Hubbard; CODE 1E0-0NB; Members $250; Nonmembers $285
By Marcie Wolf-Hubbard
Drawing and Stitching Afghan Geometric Design
Take a stunning geometric design and first paint it in watercolor, then recreate it in cross-stitch in dark blue, turquoise, and white.
Art warmups enable students to jump right into their projects knowing there are no wrong answers. Students work with positive and negative space, do quick sketches, go beyond the color wheel, and use mixed-media techniques to build layers and texture.
Breathe new life into your unfinished or “failed” collages or paintings. Find ways to infuse interest and create a variety of compositions to change the look and feel of your pieces.
Create an indoor garden to keep your home colorful during the winter season. Craft a crimson amaryllis’s stamen, petals, leaves, and bulb using crepe paper. Leave class ready to complete several more realistic amaryllis plants out of delicate paper.
Explore basic techniques of lace crochet and tatting while learning about the historical context of lace and its creation. Look at ways to incorporate your modern lace into garments or fiber art.
By Lauren Kingsland
ONLINE: Tues., Aug. 27–Sept. 10, 12 p.m.; Lauren Kingsland; CODE 1E0-0JB; Members $125; Nonmembers $150
By Sughra Hussiany
By Sharon Robinson
By Karen Cadogan
NEW CLASS
NEW CLASSES
By Lauren Kingsland
Hand Quiltmaking for the Non-perfectionist
This class is for those who feel utterly untalented at sewing yet want to make a quilt. Journey from not knowing to bold experiments, finding your sense of quiltmaking confidence as you learn strategies for piecing, appliqué, quilting, and finishing.
ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 14–28, 1 p.m.; Lauren Kingsland; CODE 1E0-0JN; Members $125; Nonmembers $150
Weave a Houndstooth Scarf
Jump on your loom and learn how to weave a houndstooth scarf just in time for the fall season. Experiment with techniques and explore color options to construct your custom woven piece.
ONLINE: Wed., Sept. 11 and Thurs., Sept. 12, 10 a.m.; Tea Okropiridze; CODE 1E0-0HK; Members $135; Nonmembers $160
By Tea Okropiridze
Beginning Tapestry Weaving
By Tea Okropiridze
Dip your toe into the world of weaving as you learn basic tapestry weaving techniques and design. Then create a miniature woven tapestry on a small frame loom. Techniques covered include warping the loom; color mixing and hatching; and creating horizontal stripes, vertical lines, irregular shapes, shading, and contour.
ONLINE: Tues., Oct. 8–Dec. 3, 6 p.m., no class Nov. 5 and 26; Tea Okropiridza; CODE 1E0-0PK; Members $195; Nonmembers $230
Abstract Embroidery
By Heather Kerley
Learn to apply the principles of abstract art to making embroidery. Develop a freeflowing approach to embroidery that emphasizes form, color, line, texture, pattern, composition, and process.
Break down the basics of handmade bobbin lace, an art form that originated in the 16th century. You learn to wind bobbins and follow patterns, constructing four small bobbin lace projects using colored threads to make it easier to see what is happening.
The log cabin quilt, with blocks of simple strips built around a center, is a traditional style yet remains a modern favorite. Learn this technique, then finish 10 blocks into a table runner. Stitching may be done by hand or machine.
Whether you know how to knit a scarf but not much more, used to knit but now feel rusty, or are confident in your beginning knitting skills but want to make sure you’re ready for an intermediate class or project, this workshop is for you. Learn several ways to accomplish basic techniques, including casting on, knitting and purling, binding off, increasing and decreasing, and basic finishing skills.
ONLINE: Sat., Oct. 26–Nov. 2, 12 p.m.; Ann Richards; CODE 1E00LZ; Members $80; Nonmembers $95
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Alternative Pens for Mark Making and Calligraphy
Have fun experimenting with creating writing instruments from common household objects and items foraged from nature. This workshop is geared toward people who want to push their creativity to the next level in their painting, mark making, creation of textures, and calligraphy.
By Sharmila Karamchandani
ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 28–Sept. 11, 6 p.m.; Sharmila Karamchandani; CODE 1E0-0LH; Members $115; Nonmembers $140
By Sughra Hussainy (detail)
Introduction to Afghan Manuscript Illumination
The beautiful decorations of religious and secular manuscripts are centuries-old Islamic traditions. Learn the elements of gold-leaf manuscript illumination in the Afghan tradition.
Add new techniques to your wire-working toolbox with the use of a butane micro torch. Topics covered include torch setup and safety for your home studio, as well as melting and fusing to create distinctive findings and a simple chain with fine silver wire.
By Mïa Vollkommer
ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 15 and 22, 6 p.m.; Mïa Vollkommer; CODE 1E0-0HX; Members $130; Nonmembers $155
Bead Weaving Spiral Rope
With this off-loom technique, create a colorful, flexible tube from seed beads of various sizes. The hollow tube can be used to make a necklace or bracelet. Finishing techniques, including clasp ideas, are demonstrated in class.
By Mïa Vollkommer
ONLINE: Sat., Aug. 17 and 24, 12 p.m.; Mïa Vollkommer; CODE 1E0-0HL; Members $130; Nonmembers $155
Mosaic and Found Object Assemblage
Explore the meeting of traditional and nontraditional mosaic materials while learning design and composition theories. Working with a theme of the face, combine mosaic and assemblage using some of that stuff you simply have not been able to part with.
Learn four simple techniques to transform a single sheet of paper into a unique book. In each class, make two variations of each type of book: one shaped like a house, a maze book, an amulet book, and an accordion matchbox book.
By Sushmita Mazumdar
ONLINE: Tues., Aug. 6–27, 1 p.m.; Sushmita Mazumdar; CODE 1E0-0JL; Members $140; Nonmembers $175
Orchids for Beginners
Join an orchid care expert to learn how orchids grow in their native environments and how to keep them blooming in your home. You also learn how to repot a Phalaenopsis orchid, one of the easiest orchids to raise indoors.
ONLINE: Tues., Aug. 13, 6:30 p.m.; Barb Schmidt; CODE 1E0-0JK; Members $45; Nonmembers $60 Phalaenopsis schilleriana
The Art of Floral Design
Explore the spectrum of floral design. Among the practical areas covered are sourcing (with a focus on sustainability), making the most of seasonal flowers, creating centerpieces, wiring techniques, and photographing your work. The class is designed for students of all levels.
ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 9–Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.; Arrin Sutliff; CODE 1E0-0PA; Members $160; Nonmembers $195
Introduction to Beading
By Arrin Sutliff
Learn to create handcrafted jewelry. This class covers the basics of techniques, along with the names and uses for common hand tools, wire, stringing materials, and findings. The experience is perfect for students new to jewelry making and for those with experience who want to refresh their skills.
PHOTOGRAPHY n n n n Slow Shutter Speed Photography
Slow things down as you learn to capture movement and low-light scenes with longer shutter speeds. Topics covered include panning, zoom effect, intentional camera movement, tripods, drive modes, neutral density filters, and the camera settings required to take slow shutter speed photos in bright light, low light, and twilight and at night.
ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 7 and 14, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; CODE 1E0-0JR; Members $90; Nonmembers $110
By Joe Yablonsky
Taking Better Photos
Learn to develop your photographic vision and take better photos more consistently. Foster a deliberate approach to composition, balance, and lighting conditions and discover how to keep it simple.
ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 21–Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; CODE 1E0-0JS; Members $125; Nonmembers $150
Photographing Industrial Items
Learn the camera controls, composition, and lighting considerations to achieve artful images of items such as brickwork, apartment or office buzzers, call boxes, and vintage signage. Working knowledge of your camera is required, along with willingness to see the mundane as magnificent.
ONLINE: Thurs., Sept. 5 and 12, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; CODE 1E0-0HM; Members $90; Nonmembers $115 By Joe Yablonsky
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
By Patricia Howard
The Cyanotype: Hands-On History of Photography
Delve into the history of cyanotypes, a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue and white print, and create your own cyanotype in this unique studio arts class.
ONLINE: Sat., Sept. 7 and 14, 12 p.m.; Patricia Howard; CODE 1E00HJ; Members $80; Nonmembers $105
The Joy of Photography
Designed for beginners who want to learn how to use their digital or mirrorless camera as a creative tool, this class gives students the opportunity to learn about technical aspects of photography so they can concentrate on composing beautiful images.
ONLINE: Tues., Oct. 8–Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m., no class Nov. 5; Marty Kaplan; CODE 1E0-0NW; Members $185; Nonmembers $220
The Art of Black-and-White Photography
Learn how to create powerful black-and-white images. Discover how to previsualize black-and-white images; compose scenes emphasizing texture, line, and contrast; and use software such as Lightroom Classic and Silver Efex Pro.
ONLINE: Sat., Oct. 26–Nov. 16, 1:30 p.m.; Lewis Katz; CODE 1E00NT; Members $125; Nonmembers $150
Geometric Shapes, Pattern, Repetition, and Lines
If you are drawn to photos that include spirals, grids, and other shapes, this is the class for you. The first session discusses appropriate camera controls and time-of-day recommendations for several locations. Take what you learned to the streets and photograph these items in the field. The second session is a photo review.
ONLINE: Thurs., Oct. 10 and 17, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; CODE 1E0-0MV; Members $90; Nonmembers $115
Legendary Creatures, Mythological Beasts, and More
Gargoyles, sea serpents, winged horses, griffins, and sphinxes abound as architectural details and public sculpture in Washington, D.C. The first session recommends the best time of day to photograph some of them and teaches you how to do “ghost” photography using slow shutter speeds and camera controls. Between sessions, go on a search for your favorite bizarre statues, sculptures, and architectural features. The second session is a photo review of your spooky shots.
ONLINE: Thurs., Oct. 24 and 31, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; CODE 1E0-0NC; Members $95; Nonmembers $120
By Lewis Katz
By Joe Yablonsky
By Joe Yablonsky
Smithsonian Associates expert-led Study Tours offer one-of-a-kind in-person experiences. They’re the perfect way to learn more about the places and topics that fascinate you, and you’re sure to discover plenty of new favorites along the way.
Sunrise Walks at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Rise early and enjoy a delightful summer walk at Virginia’s Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. The 95-acre setting features thousands of ornamental and native plants in numerous collections; lakes and adjacent forests that attract a variety of birds; a restored log cabin that embodies the colorful history of the garden; and a unique Korean bell pavilion, the only structure of its type in an American public garden. American Horticultural Society international travel guide Keith Tomlinson leads a hilly 3-mile walk on paved and mulched trails.
TWO OPTIONS: Sat., Aug. 10 (CODE 1NW-A02); Fri., Aug. 16 (CODE 1NW-B02); 6:30–8:30 a.m.; detailed tour information on website; Members $50; Nonmembers $75
A Natural History of the Mid-Atlantic
Stories of Calvert County, Maryland
The geography and environment of the Mid-Atlantic were shaped over hundreds of millions of years, reflecting influences that include the impact of a massive meteor; four tectonic mountain-building events; ice sheets and tropical oceans; plants and animals; and at least 15,000 years of human habitation. Environmental historian Hayden Mathews interprets the many layers of the region’s natural history as he leads a tour to three sites in Calvert County, Maryland: Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, Calvert Marine Museum, and Flag Ponds Nature Park.
Explore the rich history of the region as you hear Mathews’ tales of colliding continents, changing climate, species new and old, and fascinating people. Smell sea salt and the scent of pine trees and see towering bald cypresses, a rare albino snapping turtle, and the bones of ancient whales, camels, and mastodons.
On the return journey, enjoy a stop at the Annmarie Sculpture Gardens & Arts Center in Solomons, a Smithsonian Affiliate. Stroll along a walking path that weaves through the woods, a serene setting for the large collection of outdoor sculpture.
Sat., Aug. 17, 8:15 a.m.–7 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-041; Members $153; Nonmembers $205
On American Soil
The 1814 British Invasion of the Chesapeake
When the vanguard of a powerful British fleet entered the Virginia Capes on the morning of Feb. 4, 1813, the last thing likely on the minds of farmers in the fertile Patuxent River valley of Maryland a hundred miles to the north was war. However, within months, the Chesapeake Bay had become a veritable British lake and the Maryland countryside a land of danger and destruction. By the summer of 1814, the capital of the United States was the destination point of the first major attack on American soil in history.
Follow the invasion and retreat routes of the British Army in the War of 1812 as it successfully attacked the nation’s capital, resulting in the 1814 burning of the Capitol, Washington Navy Yard, and the White House, seeing relevant sites along the way. Hear the story of Dr. William Beanes and his incidental connection to Francis Scott Key. Walk the grounds of pivotal conflicts, including the historic land-sea Battle of St. Leonard Creek.
During the afternoon, a visit to the Calvert Marine Museum explores an exhibit on the Chesapeake Flotilla. Continue to trace the route of the British Army through Maryland farmlands to the Battle of Bladensburg and learn how a divided nation of “states united” emerged from the War of 1812 to truly become the United States of America. Maritime historian Donald Grady Shomette leads the tour.
Sat., Aug. 24, 8 a.m.–6:45 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-042; Members $175; Nonmembers $225
Nature Walk
Lakeside gazebo on Lake Caroline at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Bus Tour
Drum Point Lighthouse at the Calvert Marine Museum
Bus Tour
Charles Ball, an enslaved African American, was a seaman in the Chesapeake Flotilla
Walking Tour
New Deal Projects
Against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the New Deal ignited an unprecedented use of government resources to address crucial public services as a way to kick-start the American economy. But President Franklin Roosevelt said that in a hundred years, his New Deal would be remembered more for its arts than its job relief.
Discover landmarks, art, and other still-visible projects from the New Deal period with author David Taylor during a walking tour in Washington, D.C. Begin at Judiciary Square to see the public sculptures and dramatic courthouse bas reliefs there. Highlights along the route include the Henry F. Daly Building, constructed in the Classical Moderne style with the aid of Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds; the Federal Trade Commission Building, which features monumental Art Deco sculptures by WPA artists; and the National Mall and Washington Monument, both of which were renovated during the New Deal period. Conclude at the Department of the Interior for an optional staff-led tour of more than 40 New Deal–era murals, plus several 1941–1942 photomurals by Ansel Adams.
THREE OPTIONS: Fri., Sept. 6 (CODE 1CW-A21); Fri., Sept. 13 (CODE 1CW-B21); Fri., Sept. 27 (CODE 1CW-C21); 9:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.; detailed tour information on website; Members $45; Nonmembers $55
Historic Chestertown
With a Cruise on the Schooner Sultana
The Sultana was a Boston-built merchant vessel that served for four years as the smallest schooner in the British Royal Navy. Manned by a 25-person crew, it patrolled the coastline of colonial North America—including the Chesapeake Bay—from 1768 to 1772, enforcing the hated Townsend Acts or “tea taxes.” A 2 1⁄2-hour cruise on a reproduction of the vessel is part of regional historian Hayden Mathews’ full-day exploration of the rich heritage of Chestertown, located in Kent County, the oldest county on the Eastern Shore.
Step aboard the Sultana, one of the most accurate 18th-century replicas in the world, for a vivid picture of working life on the water, including a glimpse at navigational tools and original log books. The cruise also offers an opportunity to learn about the ecology of the area and the importance of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. On land, Chestertown’s former mayor leads a walking tour of the town’s Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes many restored Georgian-style homes.
Sun., Sept. 8, 7:45 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1ND-011; Members $225; Nonmembers $275
Walking Tour
America’s Main Street
The White House and Pennsylvania Avenue
Pennsylvania Avenue has hosted inaugurations, protests, and parades throughout the history of the United States. But the development of this grand boulevard connecting the Capitol to the White House was fraught with conflict and intrigue. Visit Lafayette Square, walk Pennsylvania Avenue, and learn how this part of downtown Washington went from being Murder Bay to America’s Main Street.
Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, leads the tour and discusses the history of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and its neighborhood. Learn how this famous address has changed over the last 220 years. View other buildings along Lafayette Square, including the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and Blair House, and hear about the presidents, politicians, and power players who have lived along this storied block. Then stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue past the imposing facades of the Willard Hotel, Old Post Office Tower, Department of Justice, FBI headquarters, and National Archives.
Man Controlling Trade by Michael Lantz, at the Federal Trade Commission Building
Caverns and Cabernets
A Fall Day in the Shenandoah Valley
Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley has a rich geological heritage, shaped over millions of years of natural history. Gregg Clemmer, an experienced caver, takes you deep into that ancient past at two of the state’s most notable caverns and offers a chance to sample products of the valley’s fertile soil at a visit to a regional vineyard and winery. Begin at Endless Caverns in New Market, where in 1879, a deep hole covered by boulders was found to be the entrance to a 6-mile-long limestone cave at the foot of the Massanutten mountain ridge. A guided tour takes you through its subterranean wonders.
After a picnic boxed lunch, spend the afternoon exploring Shenandoah Caverns, where you descend inside Virginia’s only cave elevator to see the formations that first captivated explorers in 1884: bushlike structures of aragonite crystal bursting from walls and stunning cascades of flowstone mineral deposits suspended from ceilings.
Back above ground, conclude the day with a guided wine tasting at Cave Ridge Winery amid the breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Valley.
Sat., Sept. 21, 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-043; Members $207; Nonmembers $257; This tour requires a significant amount of walking, standing, and dealing with steps.
Go Behind the Curtain
A Day with DC-Area Theater Makers
Home to a vibrant theater scene, the Washington area offers opportunities for theater lovers to experience world-class productions, from grand-scale to intimate stages. Join local guide Lynn O’Connell for her second tour of the region’s theaters to explore five additional theaters, meeting key players who make the magic happen.
Get the show on the road at the Tony Award–winning Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Artistic Director Maria Manuela Goyanes discusses the company’s groundbreaking and boundary-pushing show selections and its community programming.
Head south to another Tony Award winner, Arlington’s Signature Theatre, where artistic director Matthew Gardiner previews what to expect onstage in the coming months. After a boxed lunch at the theater, step onto the set of an upcoming production for a backstage tour and a sneak peek at the performance.
The afternoon kicks off with a tour of Joe’s Movement Emporium, a space for artists to facilitate community-led change in Mount Rainier, Maryland, with executive director Brooke Kidd. At this multidisciplinary arts center, participants get a facility tour, peek into the studios, and see a short performance from one of the resident artist partners. Next, visit GALA Hispanic Theatre and meet with Rebecca Medrano, who founded the theater with her late husband in 1976. Learn about how they built up one of the most well-known Hispanic theaters in the country and their innovative approach to the challenges of setting up a space in Washington, D.C.
The day is a wrap at Spooky Action Theater, where artistic director Elizabeth Dinkova and Gillian Drake, New Works in Action program director, discuss their newest show, Cracking Zeus, at a light reception. Sat., Sept. 28, 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-044; Members $155; Nonmembers $205 Participants who register for this tour by Friday, Sept. 20, receive a complimentary registration for the Monday, Sept. 23, inperson Spotlight on DC’s Stages theater preview (see page 23).
Please visit SmithsonianAssociates.org to view the FAQ on Health & Safety guidelines for in-person programs
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
2-Day Tour
Exploring Frank Lloyd Wright
Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, and Polymath Park
One of America’s most innovative architects, Frank Lloyd Wright experimented with new ways to design homes and integrate them into nature. Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, and the houses at Polymath Park offer prime examples of his organic architecture. Visit all three locations on an overnight tour to the scenic Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania with tour leader Bill Keene, a writer and lecturer on architecture, urban history, and city planning.
Fallingwater, perhaps the architect’s best-known structure, was designed in 1936 as a mountain retreat for the Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh. Cantilevered over a waterfall, the home is one of the most dramatic and frequently photographed works of architecture. It is also the only major Wright house with its setting, original furnishings, and artworks intact.
Constructed of Tidewater red cypress and native fieldstone, the house on Kentuck Knob almost appears to be part of the mountain on which it is built. It was designed by Wright in 1953 for the I.N. Hagan family and now houses furnishings and art of the current owners, Lord Peter and Lady Hayat Palumbo.
At historic Polymath Park near Fallingwater, view two houses designed for everyday living in the 1950s: the Usonian-style Duncan House and the Mäntylä House, both of which were relocated here.
Sun., Sept. 29, 7:15 a.m.–Mon., Sept. 30, 5:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-FKP; Members $555; Nonmembers $740
The Golden Age of Steam
Strasburg Rail Excursion and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
A mecca for aficionados of railroad technology and history, Strasburg, Pennsylvania, offers the ideal destination for a tour led by rail historian James Reaves. Featured in the leisurely day are a round-trip steam train excursion through beautiful Lancaster County on the country’s oldest continuously operating railroad and an afternoon at one of America’s finest rail museums.
On arrival in Strasburg, take your seat on the Strasburg Rail Road in a meticulously restored Victorian-style railroad car that provides the perfect vantage point for picturesque views of Amish farms during a 45-minute ride. Step off the train and into the mechanical shop where steam trains are built and refurbished for a tour to learn how the mechanical department has been producing everything from fabricated parts to complete historic restoration for over 50 years.
Spend the afternoon at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, which displays more than 100 locomotives and cars from the mid-19th and 20th centuries.
Sat., Oct. 5, 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-045; Members $190; Nonmembers $240
Stories of the First Ladies
From Martha Washington to Jill Biden, each woman who has served in the role of first lady of the United States has a story. During a walking tour of the area around the White House, A Tour of Her Own staff share a few of these sagas.
The tour begins in Freedom Plaza with a view of the Capitol. Get a glimpse of the Willard Hotel, where first ladies Grace Coolidge and Florence Harding lived. See the exterior of the residence of Dolley Madison, nicknamed the second White House, and learn how Jacqueline Kennedy preserved Lafayette Square from destruction. View the White House from both the north and south gates for a full look at where the first family resides and where the legacy of all the first ladies lives on.
THREE OPTIONS: Sat., Oct. 5, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CW-A01); Sat., Oct. 12, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CW-B01); Sun., Oct. 13, 2 p.m.–4 p.m. (CODE 1CW-C01); detailed tour information on website; Members $45; Nonmembers $55
Bus Tour
Strasburg Rail Road locomotive Canadian #89 pulls passenger cars through Lancaster County
Fallingwater
Walking Tour
An Immersion in Nature
Japanese Forest Bathing, Urban Style
Shinrin-yoku (translated as “forest bathing”) began in Japan in the 1980s. Rooted in Shinto and Buddhist traditions of reverence for nature, the practice involves a full sensory immersion in the outdoors. Studies have documented the physical and mental health benefits of quiet time spent in nature—including urban landscapes—such as lowered blood pressure and stress hormone levels, as well as improved mood and cognition.
Experience forest bathing as Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a certified nature and forest-therapy guide, leads a 2-hour morning walk in the Enid A. Haupt Garden at the Smithsonian Castle, covering its Moongate Garden, Fountain Garden, and the Victorian Parterre. This unique and restorative celebration of the beauty of autumn is the perfect way to learn why forest bathing is popular all over the world.
Registrants receive a signed copy of Choukas-Bradley’s book Wild Walking—A Guide to Forest Bathing Through the Seasons (Rock Point).
TWO OPTIONS: Tues., Oct. 8 (CODE 1NS-A01); Wed., Oct. 9 (CODE 1NS-B01); detailed tour information on website; 8:30–10:30 a.m.; Members $60; Nonmembers $85
Gardens of Norfolk
While Norfolk is known as a city on the water, gardens and greenery are the focus of the day. Horticulturist Chelsea Mahaffey leads a tour to a botanical oasis and a historic estate.
The Norfolk Botanical Garden has 60 themed gardens covering 175 acres. Each corner offers a distinctive sensory experience, from the tranquil Japanese Garden to the enchanting Margaret Moore Hall Bicentennial Rose Garden bursting with the fragrance and color of more than 300 rose varieties. A guided tram tour provides an overview of the property before you stroll along winding paths adorned with colorful flowers, towering trees, and serene water features. Don’t miss the chance to marvel at the beauty of the Bristow Butterfly Garden, 2 acres of butterfly habitat that attracts and supports butterflies and moths throughout their life cycle.
After lunch, visit the Smithsonian Affiliate Hermitage Museum & Gardens, a historic estate nestled along the Lafayette River. Lush gardens are landscaped in the tradition of an early 20th-century country estate, featuring footpaths, tranquil waterways, and gazebos. A guided walking tour of the grounds and estate introduces the history of the gardens and touches on the many varieties of plants and the Hermitage’s extensive conservation work. Highlights include the Sunken Garden, a secluded retreat surrounded by towering hedges, and the Hermitage Wetlands, which provides a clean, safe habitat for fish and wildlife and supports a variety of native and flowering plants.
Thurs., Oct. 10, 7 a.m.–9:30 p.m., by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-046; Members $218; Nonmembers $268
2-Day Tour
Staunton, Shakespeare, and Steam
Fall in the Shenandoah Valley
Nestled in the heart of the scenic Shenandoah Valley, Staunton, Virginia, is alive with history, culture— and a little steam. Join Washington, D.C., area guide Lynn O’Connell for a weekend getaway that offers a sampling of Staunton’s best sights plus a train excursion.
Upon arriving in Staunton, visit Blackfriars Playhouse, the world’s only replica of Shakespeare’s indoor theater, where the magic of the bard’s works comes alive. Delve into the world of theater with a backstage tour, during which guides share secrets and anecdotes and offer insights into the playhouse’s inner workings. After lunch, embark on a delightful journey of mischief, pranks, and folly with a performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Following the performance, hit the streets for a leisurely walking tour of Staunton led by local guides. A three-course dinner at Mill Street Grill follows.
SOLD OUT
On Sunday, board the Virginia Scenic Railway for a 3-hour train journey, bound for the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Wind through rural landscapes, passing by working farms with cattle, horses, and sheep. Picture-worthy views of the Allegheny Mountains unfold as you venture west. The train turns around in the hamlet of Goshen in Rockbridge County. The day concludes back in Staunton with a guided tour through the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, offering insights into the legacy of the 28th president. Sat., Oct. 19, 7:30 a.m.–Sun., Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-SSO; Members $715; Nonmembers $955 Main Street in Staunton
Gazebo and sundial at the Colonial Garden at Norfolk Botanical Garden
Autumn Splendor in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve
Preserved agricultural land in the reserve near Sugarloaf Mountain
Spend an autumn day exploring the scenic 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve in Maryland’s Montgomery County, designed to preserve farmland and rural space in the northwestern part of the county. Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a longtime resident of the reserve, serves as guide and introduces some of her favorite places there.
Along the way, hear two remarkable stories of preservation: Gordon Strong’s lifelong mission to save Sugarloaf Mountain from development and keep it open for public enjoyment and education and Montgomery County’s innovative farmland preservation program, which serves as a model for agricultural areas throughout the world.
Visit historic farms and meet farmers who discuss the progressive methods they use to bring produce to local markets. The morning includes visits to Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, where you meet both caregivers and animals, and to Kingsbury Orchard. After lunch, visit Morningstar Studio, home to artist Tina Brown, before taking an autumnal walk on one of Montgomery County’s picturesque trails. Wrap up the day at Shepherd’s Hey Farm, known for its longwool sheep, and enjoy local cider, wine, and cheese.
Fri., Oct. 25, 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-047; Members $177; Nonmembers $227
The Battle of Second Manassas
In mid-July 1862, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee found that he and his Army of Northern Virginia had to deal with not one but two Federal armies: Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac, which the Confederates had just driven away from Richmond, Virginia, and Maj. Gen. John Pope’s Army of Virginia. Over the next two months, Lee used a calculated strategy to defeat each of the Federal armies, beginning with Pope’s. His strategy ultimately resulted in a return to Bull Run and the Battle of Second Manassas.
The tour begins with a visit to Brawner Farm and Battery Heights, where Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. Thomas Stonewall Jackson first fought Federal units on Aug. 28. Next is Sudley Church, near Bull Run, where Pope launched his initial attacks against Jackson during the morning of Aug. 29. Participants spend the rest of the morning visiting several locations along the Unfinished Railroad, where Pope continued to strike Jackson in diversionary attacks throughout Aug. 29.
Following a boxed lunch at the site of Lee’s headquarters on Stuart Hill, stops associated with fighting on Aug. 30, the final day of the battle, include Groveton, the New York Zouave monuments, Chinn Ridge, and Pope’s headquarters on Buck Hill. Civil War tour guide Marc Thompson leads the tour.
Sat., Oct. 26, 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-048; Members $133; Nonmembers $183
Sign up for this tour by Oct. 21 to receive a complimentary registration for the Second Manassas online program (p. 15) on Oct. 24.
Give the Gif t of Color
Limited-edition prints from the Smithsonian Associates Art Collectors Program capture brilliant and memorable worlds of color—and make great gifts for all occasions. For details, visit ArtCollectorsProgram.org
*Member pricing applies to Promoter level and above For membership levels visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels
Brawner Farm House
Bus Tour
Bus Tour
Blue Moonlight by April Gornik (detail) Retail: $1200 Members: $950*
2-Day Tour
Magical Cape May
For over 200 years, Cape May, New Jersey, has welcomed travelers to its boardwalk and beachfront, including the elite of New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. But Cape May isn’t just a summer destination: During the winter season, this shore town transforms into a storybook holiday town. A two-day tour offers the opportunity to experience historic Cape May and its Victorian elegance during a magical time of year.
Upon arriving in Cape May, enjoy lunch at the Washington Inn, a local landmark constructed in 1846. Afterwards, meet your step-on guide for a tour of Cape May Point at the tip of the peninsula to see the World War II lookout tower and the 1859 Cape May lighthouse, which boasts breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. Your guide discusses the history and restoration of both sites.
Spend time exploring the shops on the Washington Street Mall before checking into Congress Hall, where four 19th-century presidents stayed. Dinner is followed by a talk on Christmas traditions of the Victorian era and a trolley ride through the town to enjoy the holiday lights and decorations.
The next morning, board the trolley for a guided tour of the historic district, featuring a variety of Victorian architectural styles. Local guides discuss the importance of preservation and Cape May’s status as a National Historic Landmark site. Stop off at the Emlen Physick Estate, an 18-room mansion designed by American architect Frank Furness and festooned in authentic Victorian holiday decorations, for a guided look inside at period architecture and lifestyle. Built in 1879, the home is one of the best examples of Victorian Stick style in the country.
After lunch at Cold Spring Grange Restaurant, explore Historic Cold Spring Village—the largest open-air living history museum in New Jersey—before returning to Washington, D.C.
Thurs., Dec. 12, 7 a.m.–Fri., Dec. 13, 8 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-CMH; Members $690; Nonmembers $920
Radio City Music Hall
Front and Center for the Christmas
Spectacular
There’s no more iconic holiday performance in New York than Radio City Music Hall’s famed Christmas Spectacular. And there’s no better way to see the precision dancing of the Rockettes than from prime orchestra seats in the fabulous Art Deco theater where the show has been a tradition since 1933.
Before the theatrical magic begins at a matinee performance, get a special behind-thescenes VIP tour of the music hall, covering the stunning 1930s interiors and art, the Great Stage, Mighty Wurlitzer organ, and an opportunity to meet a Rockette along the way. A gourmet box lunch is served en route; dinner is on your own during 2 hours of free time after the performance.
Thurs., Dec. 12, 6:45 a.m.–11 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1ND-012; Members $395; Nonmembers $445
Special offer: Register for this tour by Oct. 1 and receive a complimentary registration for the online Radio City Music Hall history program (see p. 31) on Dec. 9.
Please visit SmithsonianAssociates.org to view the FAQ on Health & Safety guidelines for in-person programs
Victorian architecture along the promenade in the historic district of Cape May
Bus Tour
Holiday decorations in the Grand Foyer
Join a Community of Lifetime Learners
Learning has always been synonymous with the Smithsonian. And if the joy of learning enriches your life, we invite you to join Smithsonian Associates and be among the first to know about outstanding programs every month. You’ll appreciate the stimulating and entertaining range of offerings inspired by the wonders of the Smithsonian and covering the full scope of the humanities, sciences, and arts. Join experts in everything from archaeology to literature and history to high-tech espionage and zoology as they share insights, discoveries, and innovative ideas.
Unlike the Smithsonian’s museums, Smithsonian Associates receives no federal funding and relies on individual contributions to help bridge the gap between program expenses and registration revenues. That vital support ensures we’re able to continue what we do best: creating engaging learning experiences that open the Smithsonian’s world of knowledge to audiences across the country.
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Levels of Support
Your support expands your learning, and the current benefits listed here are designed to enhance your experience.
Associate ($50) Priority registration and discounts, invitations to selected no-fee programs, the print edition of Smithsonian Associates’ informative and lively monthly program guide.
Champion ($80) All the above and:
Up to four discounted registrations per program, priority consideration for waitlisted programs.
Promoter ($100) All the above and:
A subscription to the award-winning Smithsonian magazine, special rates for the purchase of limited-edition fine-art prints created for Smithsonian Associates’ Art Collectors Program.
Advocate ($175) All the above and:
An advance digital copy of the monthly program guide, two complimentary program registrations.
Contributor ($300) All the above and:
Advance registration opportunity for Smithsonian Summer Camp, recognition in the Smithsonian Associates program guide’s annual donor listing
Patron ($600) All the above and:
Four complimentary registrations to a headliner program, a copy of the Smithsonian Annual Report.
Sponsor ($1,000) All the above and:
Reserved seating at in-person programs, dedicated concierge phone line for inquiries and registration.
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Invitation for two to attend the prestigious annual Smithsonian Weekend, recognition in the Smithsonian Annual Report.
Benefactor ($5,000) All the above and:
Recognition as a sponsor of a selected program, priority seating at all in-person programs.
Bonus: Contributions at the Advocate level and higher include membership in Smithsonian Associates’ Circle of Support.
Program Planner (New listings in red); (In-person programs•)
Courses, Performances, and Lectures—Multi-Session
Thurs., Aug. 1–22
Chinese Art: From the Bronze Age to the People’s Republic .............38
Mon., Aug. 19, Sept. 16, and Oct. 21
Feasting with Royalty: Cleopatra, Alexander, and Caesar ...................19
Thurs., Sept. 5–26
Musical Miniatures: The Perfect Magic of Shorter Works...................20
Wed., Sept. 25, Nov. 6, and Dec. 4
Thinking About Philosophers .......................................................................23
Sat., Oct. 5, Dec. 14, Jan. 25, May 3
Axelrod String Quartet (Saturday series)• 25
Sun., Oct. 6, Dec. 15, Jan. 26, May 4
Axelrod String Quartet (Sunday series)• 25
Tues., Oct. 8–Nov. 5
Write Into Art: Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art 42
Wed., Oct. 9–30
A Journey through Fantastic Realms 13
Enduring Themes in Western Art 44
Lectures and Seminars—Single Session
15–Nov.
Thurs., Oct. 24 and 31
Supernatural Classics: Musical Magic, Ghouls, and Ghosts
Sat., Nov. 2, Nov. 23, Dec. 7, Mar. 29, Apr. 12, and Sun., Mar. 16 Masterworks of Five Centuries (Saturday series)• 26
Sun., Nov. 3, Nov. 24, Dec. 8, Mar. 16, Mar. 30, Apr. 13
Masterworks of Five Centuries (Sunday series)•
Thurs., Nov. 7–Dec. 12
Eve as Artist: A History of Women Artists ...............................................44
Sat., Aug. 24 The 1814 British Invasion of the Chesapeake
Oct. 26 The Second Battle of Manassas ...................................64
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