Smithsonian Associates February 2023 program guide

June 20-August 18

Summer Camp is ready to bring the Smithsonian’s world to life!

And for curious and adventurous kids, there’s no better place to be than right in the middle of it with Smithsonian Summer Camp.

Through visits to museums, talking to experts, and creating projects and artworks, kids explore Smithsonian-focused themes including the natural world, space, art, design, history, world cultures, and so much more.

Visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/camp to view camps and plan your special Smithsonian experience this summer!

Online Registration February 14*–17

*Early registration for Smithsonian Associates members at the Contributor Level ($300) or above starts February 14 at 10 a.m. ET. All registrations are online only. For information on how to become a Contributor Level member, please call 202–633–3030 (M-F, 10-3)

Dear Friends and Members,

The Smithsonian has long been deeply invested in examining the uneasy history of race in America, how that history is reflected today—and how it might shape our future.

Smithsonian Associates programs that explore African American history are a regular part of our offerings. During this Black History Month, we’re proud to spotlight several, examining topics ranging from history to leaders in music and the visual arts.

Trace the lasting impact of the Second Middle Passage, the domestic slave trade that forcibly sold enslaved African Americans to planters in the Deep South (p. 2). Explore how Frederick Douglass’s autobiography found its power in a mix of the personal and the political (p. 5). Review the momentous year 1966, as the emergent Black Power movement challenged the nonviolent philosophy of civil rights leaders (p. 5).

Learn how enslaved and free African Americans faced the Civil War and its aftermath in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley (p. 7). Uncover the forces that transformed two groups scorned as second-class citizens in the 19th century— African Americans and Irish Americans—from natural allies to rivals (p. 7).

The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra marks the centennial of “race records” with a tribute to two members of blues royalty, vocalists Mamie Smith and Bessie Smith, and celebrates another nobleman of note, D.C.’s own Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, on the hundredth anniversary of his orchestra (p. 21). Discover the story of 19th-century artist Edmonia Lewis, who found refuge from discrimination by moving to Rome to live among expatriate female artists in the 1860s (p. 36).

A single month’s observance, of course, can’t encompass an entire heritage. That’s why I invite you to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture in person or online to find rich resources that can enhance your Black History Month commemorations anytime. And I hope our Smithsonian Associates programs will deepen those experiences for you.

On the cover: Printed silk organza dress by Gina Fratini, 1970s, Fashion Museum Bath. A sweetheart of a dress to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Programs with these icons showcase Smithsonian’s world of knowledge and long-term initiatives

facebook.com/smithsonianassociates twitter.com/smithsonianSA instagram.com/smithsonianassociates issuu.com/smithsonianassociatesprograms

Smithsonian Associates (USPS 043-210) Vol. 51, No. 6, February 2023. Published monthly by Smithsonian Associates, Smithsonian Institution, 1100 Jefferson Drive, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20560. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC. and at additional mailing offices. Vesna Gjaja, Director of Marketing and Membership; Cecelia Reed, Editor; Robert A. Sacheli, Copywriter; Ric Garcia, Visual Specialist. Copyright 2022 by the Smithsonian Associates. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Smithsonian Associates, P.O. Box 23293, Washington, D.C. 20026-3293. Printed in the U.S.A. on recyclable paper.

Frederica R. Adelman, Director adelmanf@si.edu

ART SCI ENCE

STUDIO ARTS

TOURS

Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.

Discovering Bordeaux

World-class wine, medieval villages, museums, and markets: The historic Bordeaux region of France is truly a feast for all five senses. From the quaint wine hills of Saint-Emilion along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela to La Cité du Vin, a museum spotlighting the history of winemaking from 6000 B.C. to today, PBS television host Darley Newman shares the best of France’s renowned wine region.

She spotlights the area’s archaeological marvels, historic landmarks, cultural treasures, multiple wine tastings, and outstanding local boulangeries —all amid UNESCO World Heritage sites and generous helpings of history.

Wed., Feb. 1, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-236; Members $20; Nonmembers $25 Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux

Jamestown: The First 100 Years

While the early days of Jamestown were marred with struggle, conflict, and tragedy, the settlement would survive as the first permanent English colony in North America, from which the seeds of the United States grew.

Unearth the tumultuous first century of Jamestown with Mark Summers, the public historian for the Jamestown Rediscovery archaeological project.

FEB 6 Inevitable Uprising: 1622–1646

FEB 13 Bacon’s Rebellion: 1675–1699

Individual sessions: Mon., Feb. 6 (CODE 1CV-C07); Mon., Feb. 13 (CODE 1CVD07; 12–1:30 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The Second Middle Passage: America’s Domestic Slave Trade

In the years between the American Revolution and the Civil War, an American slave trade rose to become more than twice the size of the first Middle Passage. More than one million enslaved African Americans from places like Maryland were forcibly sold to planters to work on cotton plantations in the Deep South.

Historian Richard Bell tracks the domestic slave trade and its impact on slavery’s expansion. He also discusses the unrelenting and often subversive resistance Black families mounted against enslavers’ attempts to divide them.

Tues., Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-241; Members $25; Nonmembers $30 Slave pen of Price, Birch, & Co., Alexandria, Virginia ca. 1860–1865

What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A

Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan, saving Captain John Smith’s life

1871

“The Chinese Question”

Gold Rushes and Global Politics of Exclusion

Goldmining between 1848 and 1899 created wealth for many. But friction between Chinese and white settlers on the goldfields of California, Australia, and South Africa created the “Chinese Question”: would the United States and the British Empire outlaw Chinese immigration?

Historian and author Mae Ngai tells the story of Chinese people who left their homeland in pursuit of gold, the laws that excluded them from immigration and citizenship, and the consequences that still persist.

Ngai’s book The Chinese Question: The Gold Rushes and Global Politics (W.W. Norton & Company) is available for purchase.

Tues., Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-008; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Stonehenge: An Epic Enigma

Some 5,000 years ago, a Neolithic civilization in southern England began to erect the world’s most famous prehistoric standing-stone monument. Its builders left no written records, so why and how Stonehenge was constructed remains a mystery.

Modern scientists are slowly unlocking Stonehenge’s secrets, from the source of the smaller pillars (central Wales) to its purpose (a daily calendar or eclipse calculator). Whatever its true purpose, the stone circle remains a uniquely iconic enigma visited by 800,000 people each year.

Kelly Beatty, senior editor at Sky & Telescope magazine, discusses these new developments and the enduring mystery of Stonehenge.

Wed., Feb. 8, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-504; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Discovering Türkiye

PBS television host Darley Newman shares great places to discover in Türkiye (the now-official name for Turkey) whether you’re visiting bustling bazaars in Istanbul or venturing off the beaten path.

I Do Solemnly Swear A History of Supreme Court Nominations

In 1789, President George Washington nominated the first five justices to the Supreme Court, a result of the 1789 Judiciary Act. Of the 165 nominations since then, there have been a total of just 126 nominations confirmed and only 116 justices who sat on the country’s highest court.

While the Senate has generally deferred to the president’s choices, nominations have often come under scrutiny, and the process has sometimes been a tumultuous affair.

Hot-air balloons at sunset, Cappadocia, Türkiye

In Istanbul, marvel at the dazzling Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Galata Tower. In Şanlıurfa, walk through Göbeklitepe, an archaeological site older than Stonehenge. In Izmir and Urla along Türkiye’s Aegean coast, visit the oldest known olive oil workshop in Anatolia and view UNESCO World Heritage sites like Ephesus and Pergamum. Newman’s travel insights provide a guide to discovering the diversity and wonders of historic and contemporary Türkiye.

Thurs., Feb. 16, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-237; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Historian Christopher Brooks surveys the Supreme Court’s history and nominations process and how politics have shaped today’s Court.

Thurs., Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-009; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Chinese Question by Thomas Nast for Harper’s Weekly,

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

There are 1,154 UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout the world. Each of them offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of complex civilizations, empires, and religions. Historian Justin M. Jacobs offers an in-depth overview of five of the most intriguing UNESCO World Heritage sites from around the world, from Iraq to Brazil. Each lavishly illustrated program goes far beyond the typical tourist experience by incorporating the insights of the latest scholarship and research.

FEB 15 Samarra and the Abbasid Caliphate

FEB 22 Angkor Wat

MAR 1 Philippine Rice Terraces of Ifugao

MAR 8 Sacred Sites of Tibet

MAR 15 Brasilia, the Utopian Capital of Brazil

5 sessions: Wed., Feb. 15, Feb. 22; March 1, March 8, March 15, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-242; Members $100; Nonmembers $125

Individual sessions: Wed., Feb. 15 (CODE 1J0-242A); Wed., Feb. 22 (CODE 1J0-242B); Wed., March 1 (CODE 1J0-242C); Wed., March 8 (CODE 1J0-242D); Wed., March 15 (CODE 1J0-242E); 6:45 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Live from the United Kingdom

Gothic Kingdoms

The Fall of Rome and the Birth of Europe

In August 410, the imperial city of Rome was sacked by the army led by Alaric the Goth. It was an event that came to symbolize the decline and fall of the western Roman empire, and after Alaric’s death his followers established the first Germanic state inside the old imperial frontiers: the Visigothic kingdom of Aquitaine.

In this wide-ranging talk, historian David Gwynn explores the dramatic histories of Gothic kingdoms through the surviving art and monuments and the writings of those who lived under Gothic dominion.

Wed., Feb. 15, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-234; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

An Anatomy of Addiction

Medical historian Howard Markel traces the careers of two brilliant young doctors— Sigmund Freud, neurologist, and William Halsted, surgeon—showing how their powerful addictions to cocaine shaped their enormous contributions to psychology and medicine.

Markel examines the physical and emotional damage caused by the then-heralded wonder drug and how each man ultimately changed the world in spite of it—or because of it. One became the father of psychoanalysis; the other, of modern surgery.

Markel is the author of An Anatomy of Addiction: Sigmund Freud, William Halsted, and the Miracle Drug Cocaine.

I N SI DE S C I ENCE Wed., Feb. 22, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-235; Members $20; Nonmembers

Capital from the Visigothic church of San Pedro de la Nave, province of Zamora, Spain

MAHMOUD

Samarra Archaeological City, Iraq

$25

Sigmund Freud

William Halsted

MAHMOUD BENDAKIR

Angkor, Cambodia

Philippine rice terraces, Ifugao

Catedral Metropolitana, Brasilia

The Potala Palace, Tibet

MARTIN GRAY

Frederick Douglass: Autobiographer

In 1845, the great civil rights leader Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) published his bestselling Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. It made his reputation and remains his most widely read work. But Douglass would continue to tell his life story over the next five decades.

Join Douglass scholar Robert S. Levine as he considers the significant changes and additions Douglass made to his later autobiographies and how, for Douglas, autobiography was personal and political, and arguably his most powerful way of making claims for Blacks’ civil rights.

Thurs., Feb. 23, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-346; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

1966: Black Power Challenges the Civil Rights Movement

Join journalist Mark Whitaker for an exploration of the momentous year of 1966, in which a new sense of Black identity expressed in the slogan “Black Power” challenged the nonviolent civil rights philosophy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis.

Whitaker offers portraits of the movement’s major characters and new details and insights from key players and journalists who covered the story. He also explains why the lessons of 1966 still resonate today.

Whitaker’s book Saying It Loud: 1966—The Year Black Power Challenged the Civil Rights Movement (Simon & Schuster) is available for purchase.

Tues., Feb. 28, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-348; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Scotland and England: An Imperfect Union?

Scotland is the only part of the island of Britain never to have been conquered by England. Yet Scotland has always had to reckon with its powerful southern neighbor, and the current campaign for Scottish independence demonstrates that the question of Scottish sovereignty is far from settled.

Historian Jennifer Paxton explores the remarkable story of the struggle to define Scottish identity over the past thousand years, as the country went from proudly independent kingdom to junior partner within Great Britain. Recent political events, including the Brexit vote, have caused some Scots to reevaluate the position of their country within the United Kingdom.

9:30 a.m. The Making of Scotland

11 a.m. The Wars of Independence and the Rise of the Stuarts

12:15 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. The Union with England and the Jacobite Threat

2:45 p.m. The Making (and Unmaking?) of the British Sat., Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-237; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

JENNIFER S. ALTMAN

Mark Whitaker

Frederick Douglass, 1840

Edinburgh Castle

Live from Turkey

Exploring Ancient Anatolia: A Turkish Odyssey

Anatolia’s colorful history has left a windfall of riches—ancient ruins, ornate Byzantine churches, elegant mosques, and splendid Ottoman palaces. Serif Yenen, a Turkish-born tour guide and author, highlights the heritage and splendor of ancient Turkey through an examination of some of its cultural gems, from Neolithic settlements and giant Roman temples to Christian rock-cut churches and the early Ottoman Empire’s stunning Great Mosque.

MAR 1 Neolithic and Bronze Ages

MAR 8 Iron-Age, Hellenistic, and Roman Periods

MAR 15 Christianity in Anatolia

MAR 22 The Turkish Period’s Capitals

4 sessions: Wed., March 1–22, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-239; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Spring in the South of France

A Virtual Tour of the Region’s History, Culture,

and Sights

Everyone from ancient Romans to Post-Impressionist artists to movie stars has been lured to the enchanting South of France. Its abundance of lavender-laced valleys, glittering seashores, medieval hill towns, and lively cities, all bathed in translucent light, are downright seductive. Journey with travel writer Barbara Noe Kennedy in a virtual exploration of Provence and the Côte d’Azur, including the region’s most intriguing sights, historical aspects, food and wine, and art. Among the locales are the formerly gritty city of Marseille, the Gothic palaces of Avignon, the sunny beaches of the French Riviera, and the gorges known as Europe’s Grand Canyon.

MAR 2 Marseille and Aix-en-Provence

MAR 30 Avignon and the Vrai Provence

MAY 4 Côte d’Azur

JUN 1 Off the Beaten Path

4 sessions: Thurs., March 2, March 30, May 4, and June 1, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-SFR; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Individual sessions: Thurs., March 2 (CODE 1CV-A10); Thurs., March 30 (CODE 1CV-B10); Thurs., May 4 (CODE 1CV-C10); Thurs., June 1 (CODE 1CV-D10); 7 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

In-person Program

The Studio House

A Setting for an Ambassador for the Arts With reception at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia

The distinctive Studio House on Washington, D.C.’s, Sheridan Circle was built in 1903 for Alice Pike Barney, an artist, playwright, civic leader, and philanthropist. Barney held regular salons in the Studio House, where she brought together artists, writers, politicians, diplomats, and other prominent guests.

In 1960, Barney’s daughters donated the house to the Smithsonian, and eventually it became the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia. Join independent researcher Mona Khademi for an evening at the Studio House as she shares stories about Barney; traces the house’s Smithsonian connections; and looks at its life as an embassy. Afterward, enjoy a light reception—and imagine yourself as a guest at one of Alice Pike Barney’s salons.

Thurs., March 2, 6:45 p.m.; The Embassy of the Republic of Latvia, CODE 1L0-506; Members $65; Nonmembers $80

Ulu Cami mosque in Bursa, completed ca. 1399

Marseille

Côte d’Azur Avignon Verdon Gorge

Facade of the Library of Celsus at Ephesus, completed ca. 117

Alice Pike Barney Studio House, 1933

American Women and the Fight for Equality Perspectives on a Century

The 19th Amendment enfranchising 26 million white and Black women became law on August 26, 1920. However, it did not enfranchise all women or even protect the rights of those women who could vote. Today, women are still grappling with how to use the vote and their political power to expand everything from civil rights to reproductive rights.

Drawing on her new book, Formidable: American Women and the Fight for Equality: 1920 –2020, author Elisabeth Griffith discusses how the diversity of the women’s movement mirrors America.

Thurs., March 9, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-244; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Cuban History: Cycles of Hope and Heartache

More than 20 years ago, scholar Damián Fernández posited that Cuban history moves in cycles of “desire and disenchantment.” From the Cuban wars for independence through the Cuban Revolution and beyond, Cubans have often felt on the verge of fulfilling their nation’s destiny, only to find their hopes were misplaced or betrayed.

Historian Michael J. Bustamante charts these ups and downs from 19th-century Cuba to the present. He also reflects on the dramatic pivot from the hope inspired by the normalization of U.S.-Cuban relations between 2014 and 2016 to the disillusionment that followed.

Thurs., March 9, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-761; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Slavery and Freedom in the Shenandoah Valley

During the Civil War, Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley was the site of fierce conflicts, both on and off the battlefield. Historian Jonathan Noyalas examines how the region’s slaves faced their many challenges and how they supported the Union war effort by serving as scouts, spies, and laborers and by fleeing slavery to enlist in the United States Colored Troops.

Noyalas is the director of the McCormick Civil War Institute at Shenandoah University. His book Slavery and Freedom in the Shenandoah Valley During the Civil War Era (University Press of Florida) is available for purchase.

Tues., March 14, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-012; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Lost Opportunities

The Troubled History of African American and Irish Relations

The individual histories of African Americans and Irish Americans have each been fraught with discrimination and hardship. Despite both groups having faced oppression and societal scorn as second-class citizens, they often found themselves at odds during the 19th century, with the competition for housing and jobs creating racial tensions.

Historian Christopher Brooks discusses the parallel histories of African Americans and Irish Americans, the unlikely kinship of abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Daniel O’Connell, and how natural allies became historical rivals.

Wed., March 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-011; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

African American Union soldier with family, 1863

New York City draft riots, armed rioters clashing with Union Army soldiers, 1863

Edith Wilson

The First (Unelected) Female President

While this nation has yet to elect its first woman as president, just over a century ago a woman became the first unofficial acting president. In 1919, Edith Bolling Galt Wilson effectively acted as president when her husband, Woodrow Wilson, was incapacitated. Beautiful, brilliant, charismatic, catty, and calculating, she was a complicated figure who reshaped the position of first lady into one of political prominence.

Rebecca Boggs Roberts, a leading historian who focuses on women’s suffrage and power, takes an unflinching look at the woman whose ascent mirrors that of many powerful American women.

Tues., March 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-343, Members $20; Nonmembers $25

How the Internet Changed the Media

Media expert Brian Rose examines the many ways the Internet has radically transformed the “old” media of newspapers, magazines, the recording industry, film, radio, and television. He traces how this digital revolution took place in such a short period of time and what lies ahead in the era of “new” media.

Rose explores questions such as whether there will be printed newspapers 10 years from now; if newsstands and bookstores will disappear as fast as record stores; if movie theaters will exist in their present form; and whether prime-time television will vanish. Thurs., March 16, 12-1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-247; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Heart of John Brown

On the night of October 16, 1859, John Brown and his followers attacked the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia—part of a plan to stir an enormous revolt that could destroy American slavery. But Brown and his accomplices were soon caught and Brown was hanged having failed to free a single enslaved person.

Why do Brown’s failed actions still matter? Historian Richard Bell argues that Brown’s execution made him a martyr among Northerners and paved the way for Lincoln’s unprecedented election, the secession crisis, and the coming of the Civil War.

Thurs., March 16, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-249; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

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.

What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A

John Brown by Augustus Washington

Rebecca B. Roberts

Tudor London

A Dynasty’s Imprint on History

There are few periods of British history that command greater curiosity and interest than the years associated with the Tudor dynasty (1485–1603). Although this significant ruling family spanned only three generations, it produced some of the most memorable monarchs of any age or place.

Historian Cheryl White examines four historical themes that were significant to the promoting of the indelible Tudor imprint upon history, inviting participants to engage with the intriguing but often dangerous court life of Henry VIII, witness the dramatic religious and social challenges wrought during the reigns of Edward VI and Mary I, and experience the progressive but cautious Renaissance court of Elizabeth I, whose patronage of the arts gave her name to an entire age of world history.

9:30 a.m. Introduction: London Landscapes and Landmarks

11 a.m. Royal Fortresses, Castles, and Palaces

12:15 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. The Dark Side of Tudor London: Prisons, Tortures, Execution Sites

2:45 p.m. The Tudor Religious Landscape of London

Sat., March 18, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-248; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Stories from a Single Image True Tales from the Life of Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Alice Roosevelt Longworth, sitting in her Baker electric car, pours from a thermos. Three men look up at her expectantly: Secretary of State Philander Knox, an unidentified man, and Secretary of Commerce Charles Nagel. They’re all at Fort Myer, Virginia, for the Wright brothers’ Military Flyer trials in July 1909. The historic flights were a social calendar highlight of the year for the cream of Washington society.

In a richly illustrated presentation, master storyteller Paul Glenshaw speaks with historian Callan Shea as he peels back the fascinating layers in this deceptively simple image.

Thurs., March 23, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-344; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

instagram.com/smithsonianassociates twitter.com/smithsonianSA

The ceiling of the Great Hall of Hampton Court Palace

PHOTO BY DAVID ILIFF. LICENSE:

Portrait of Queen Mary I of England, by Antonis Mor, 1554

Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Secretary of State Philander Knox, an unidentified man, and Secretary of Commerce Charles Nagel at Fort Myer, Va., July 1909

Magna Carta: A Blueprint for Democracy

The Magna Carta originated in 1215 as what was essentially a failed peace treaty between King John of England and his barons. Centuries later it transformed into a document held by the Founding Fathers as a foundational cornerstone of citizens’ rights in this country.

Thomas J. McSweeney, a law professor at William & Mary Law School, explores the document’s evolution beginning in the 13th century through its role in 17th- and 18th-century revolutions. He surveys some of the major historic debates about the Magna Carta and whether it is a good model for the guarantee of rights in a republic.

Wed., March 22, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-760; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Sears Houses of Arlington

From 1908 to 1940, Sears, Roebuck & Co. sold more than 70,000 of its prefabricated Modern Homes kits, affordable dwellings assembled on site that offered all Americans the chance to own an up-to-date house. Arlington County, Virginia, which saw a boom in its growth during the 1920s, boasts a significant collection of these kit houses.

Historian Dakota Springston discusses the history of these, the rapidly growing communities in which they were built, and the agrarian communities they replaced. Sears homes highlighted range from the single-story “Sunlight” to the magnificent 10-room “Woodland” model. Afterward, Kathryn Holt Springston, a Sears Homes expert, takes part in a live Q&A session.

Mon., March 27, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-028; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

An Enemy of the People? Niccolò Machiavelli in Context

Florentine statesman Niccolò Machiavelli’s 1513 treatise, The Prince, was not long, but its perceived message has lost little potency 500 years later. After all, it advised leaders that the iron fist is far more effective in governing than the velvet glove—that is, fear trumps human kindness.

Author Ross King places Machiavelli in the context of his times and examines his more positive legacy and influence. Although an English cardinal had described him as an enemy of the human race, Machiavelli’s lessons on leadership, liberty, virtue, and good government are worth re-examining today.

Wed., March 29, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-758; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A

King John signs the Magna Carta

Portrait of Machiavelli by Santi di Tito

A Sears house in Arlington

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Genius, Tragedy, Ethics, and the First Atomic Bomb

J. Robert Oppenheimer never really thought about the ethics of the atomic bomb until the successful test of a plutonium device at Alamogordo, New Mexico, on July 16, 1945. Then, he experienced an inrush of ethical anguish and spent the rest of his life trying to come to terms with what he, what America, and what humankind had done.

Hardened geopoliticians of the Cold War tried to destroy Oppenheimer, principally because he expressed his misgivings about the United States’ creation of the hydrogen fusion device. Historian Clay Jenkinson examines Oppenheimer’s ethical quandary about nuclear warfare—and the price he paid for it.

Tues., April 11, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-350; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

What Were They Thinking?

The Philosophies of Maimonides and Aquinas

Maimonides and St. Thomas Aquinas, the pre-eminent Jewish and Christian thinkers of the medieval period, shared a passion for applying the rationalist methods of Aristotle to questions of belief. Maimonides’ Guide for the Perplexed sought to guide the Jewish community in understanding God as they contended with the more populous and politically powerful Christian and Muslim majorities. Aquinas’ Summa Theologica addresses every conceivable issue that defined Christian thinking up to his time. Ori Z. Soltes, author and Georgetown University lecturer, considers how these gigantic thinkers differ, where they share common ground—and their relevance to our own world of thought and action.

Wed., April 12, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-764; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Supreme Court’s Role in Our Constitutional Democracy

Recent years have seen increasing controversy concerning the Supreme Court— contentious appointments, divisive opinions, and even leaks from inside. Some critics blame the philosophy of originalism, others claim individual justices are advancing political agendas or they fault the judicial body’s structural features and the nominating and confirmation processes.

Kermit Roosevelt, a constitutional law professor, former Supreme Court clerk, and member of President Biden’s Supreme Court Reform Commission, assesses the court and its place in our system of constitutional democracy. What role should the Supreme Court play? What forces are driving the recent controversies? And what, if anything, can we do to make things better?

Mon., April 24, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-765; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Moses Maimonides

St. Thomas Aquinas

J. Robert Oppenheimer

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

The Changing Face of Television

YouTube, Bingeing, Streaming, and Beyond

Watching television used to be a fairly simple enterprise: You turned on the set and selected one of 500 cable channels. Now, more and more viewers are watching online-only channels like Netflix or Disney+. Many younger viewers prefer devices such as their laptops or their phones. And tens of thousands of kids and teenagers have started their own TV networks on YouTube, bypassing regular programming altogether. Drawing on video clips to illustrate his talk, media expert Brian Rose explains why the old days of simply “watching TV” are fast disappearing.

Thurs., April 13, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-250; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Traditional Roots of Modern China

How an Ancient Worldview Drives Today’s Foreign Policy

China scholar Robert Daly traces China’s 21st-century drive for wealth, power, and status to geographic influences, beliefs, and social and cultural practices rooted in its earliest dynasties. The country’s location, Taoism, social stability, and cultural cohesion all played a role.

10 a.m. Pangu’s Bones: How Geography Shaped Chinese Culture

11:30 a.m. The Struggle for Harmony: Qi and Chinese Attitudes Toward Nature 12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. Culture, Technology, Wealth, and Power

2:45 p.m. Three Ways To Look at China Sat., April 15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-254; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Rasputin: The Man Who Would Not Die

More than 100 years after his death, few figures in Russian history evoke as much fascination as Grigori Rasputin, often portrayed as the “Mad Monk” who became the political power behind Czar Nicholas II and his family.

The fact that he was neither mad, nor a monk, hasn’t stopped writers from repeating these and other bogus claims. Historians also debate the extent of Rasputin’s influence on the royal family. And many questions still swirl around his murder one December night at the Yusupov Palace.

Historian Ralph Nurnberger explores the mysteries surrounding the life and death of one of Russian history’s most intriguing characters.

Tues., April 18, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-011; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

Xi lake and bridge in Hangzhou, China

Jiaxiu Pavilion on the Nanming River, Guiyang, China

Grigori Rasputin

From

Coronation to

The French Wars of Religion, 1559–1598 Reform and Conflict

In the second half of the 16th century, France teetered on the edge of an abyss. For three decades the kingdom was near anarchy, torn apart by the vicious cycles of violence between Catholics and Protestants.

Historian Alexander Mikaberidze discusses the complex origins of the Wars of Religion in France and provides concise analysis of the wars, their social and economic toll, and the lasting impact of political ideas that they generated. He also examines the effect they had on the French state, economy, culture, and society.

Thurs., April 20, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-256; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Committal

The Traditions and Ceremonies that Shape the British Monarchy

In September 2022, the world watched the pageantry of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral. For the first time, the coverage included the committal ceremony, during which the emblems of royalty were taken from her coffin and placed on the altar. This ritual symbolizes the ongoing nature of the monarchy, with the crown passing from one individual to the next.

From coronation to committal, ceremonies shape the monarchy. Tudor scholar Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger explores the history and significance of these royal traditions and discusses why the ceremonies are important today.

Sat., April 22, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-257; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Coronation portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton, 1953

The Sack of Lyon by Calvinists, 1565

The Spanish in the American Revolution

Guns, Ships, and Cows

The American Revolution was seen by King Carlos III and his ministers as an unprecedented opportunity to regain territory Spain had ceded to the British during the French and Indian War, argues University of Maryland historian Richard Bell.

For that reason, Spanish merchants in Bilbao and the Caribbean began secretly supplying the patriots with flintlocks, shot, blankets, and cows in 1774, well before their government’s declaration of war five years later. Bell draws connections between the American Revolution and the waves of independence movements that rippled across Spain’s Latin American colonies in the decades afterward.

Mon., April 24, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-258; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Moviegoing in America

From Nickelodeons to Movie Palaces to IMAX to Streaming

Ever since the movie industry was born in the 1890s, audiences have been thrilled to watch stories come to life on the big screen. Actually, nickelodeon screens weren’t very big. But by the 1920s, extravagant movie palaces were a common venue. Then came suburban drive-ins, followed by shopping-mall multiplexes. Today, the movies offer mind-boggling experiences at 7story IMAX theaters.

Media expert Brian Rose looks at the fascinating history of movie theaters, examines how the experience of moviegoing has changed over the decades, and considers whether movie theaters will survive in the age of streaming services.

Wed., May 3, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-260; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Alcatraz: 250 Years on the Rock

Alcatraz is America’s most notorious island, and its most misunderstood. Beginning with its first sighting by Europeans in 1769 through its present standing as the top paid tourist attraction in San Francisco, its history is multi-layered. Former National Park ranger and historian John Martini uncovers both the island’s infamous past as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963 and its lesser-known roles as a Civil War fortress, political prison for Confederate sympathizers, and military prison for recalcitrant U.S. Army soldiers and Native American warriors. He also covers its evolution as a National Park site, the now-resurgent natural life, and the challenges of preserving its aging infrastructure.

Wed., April 26, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-013; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Re-examining a Moment of Extreme Danger

The Cuban Missile Crisis is an event most Americans think they could probably recount in broad contours: In 1962, the Soviet Union tried to sneak nuclear missiles into Cuba, but the United States discovered them and forced the Soviets to back down. But is that what really happened, or is that just the myth Americans have told themselves in the years since? Allen Pietrobon, a global affairs professor at Trinity Washington University, reflects on how such a moment of extreme danger came to happen and whether the United States truly won the faceoff.

Mon., May 8, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-261; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Fox Theater in Atlanta

A U.S. Navy P-2H Neptune flying over a Soviet cargo ship with crated Il-28s on deck during the Cuban Missile Crisis

Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.

A TOP SOMMELIER'S GUIDE TO WINE

Winter Wine Adventures

Expand your knowledge of wine with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in delectable wine-tasting adventures. Each immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.

Road Trip: Wines of the Iberian Coast

The Iberian peninsula is home to some of the world’s greatest wines. Whether on the Atlantic coast of Portugal or the Mediterranean coast of Spain, Iberian vineyards near the water are benchmarks for extraordinary quality. Trade the winter blues for emerald waves and explore an immersion into some of the most exciting wines of western Europe.

Fri., Feb. 17, 6 p.m.; CODE 1L0-498; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

Island Time: Exploring Wines from the World’s Best Island Regions

No wine is an island, but many world-class wines are from islands. Discover the various island winemaking regions and how a proximity to oceans and seas leads to consistent flavor elements in the finished products. Segelbaum explores the similarities and differences between cold-water and warm-water island appellations and shares tips on how to identify and taste the specific flavor markers of islandproduced wines.

Fri., March 17, 6 p.m.; CODE 1L0-499; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

Wine-tasting kit information: The cost includes curated personal tasting kits with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines. Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kits, which is an essential component of the series. Each session has separate kits available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program and the day of the program, 12–4 p.m. at The Eastern wine bar in the Capitol Hill neighborhood (360 7th Street SE; Metro: Eastern Market, Orange, Silver and Blue Lines). Due to state and federal laws, wine kits may not be shipped. NOTE: Patrons receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to each session.

What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A

Black sand vineyards in La Geria, the wine region of Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

La Rioja, Spain, near San Vicente de la Sonsierra village

Spices 101: Ginger

Ginger, with its rasping heat and woody notes, is perhaps Asia’s most important spice. It’s certainly one of the oldest.

In the millennia since it spread across the Malay Archipelago, ginger has woven its way into cuisines around the world and earned a reputation variously as a symbol of wealth, the drink of paradise, a fiery aphrodisiac, and an antiemetic to combat nausea. Eleanor Ford, food writer and author of The Nutmeg Trail: Recipes and Stories Along the Ancient Spice Routes, explores ginger’s history, lore, science, and flavor—and how best to use it in home kitchens.

Wed., Feb. 8, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1NV-021; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

In-person Program

Sapporo-Style Ramen: A Regional Rage

With Lunch at Haikan

In-person Program

While ramen is one of the most common foods in Japan, Japanese foodies take their ramen seriously: There are approximately 32 regional variations, and with more than 1,000 ramen shops, the city of Sapporo is one of the most competitive ramen markets in Japan. Distinctive ramen characteristics there include a rich, Chintan (chicken) stock; thick, curly, chewy, and flavorful aged noodles; and preparation in a wok.

SOLD OUT

The go-to places for Sapporo-style ramen in D.C. are the Bantam King, Daikaya, and Haikan restaurants. Join the team behind the popular eateries, including partner-chef Katsuya Fukushima and partner Daisuke Utagawa, as they demonstrate how they prepare Sapporo ramen and how best to enjoy it. Then, get a taste of ramen when you sit down for lunch at Haikan.

Sat., March 4, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.; Haikan, 805 V St., NW; CODE 1L0-507; Members $85; Nonmembers $100

Aperitivo: Italy’s Magical Pre-dinner Hour

With Tasting

Kick off the evening as the Italians do, with the aperitivo—an informal gathering of friends for a pre-dinner cocktail, socializing, and hors d’oeuvres.

Food historian Francine Segan dishes on the tradition’s delicious history; iconic cocktails like the Negroni, Bellini, Aperol Spritz, and Americano; its many regional appetizer specialties; and how the aperitivo continues to play an important role in Italy’s social life.

A reception afterward offers tastings of regional specialties and recipes for aperitivo cocktails and easy-to-prepare classic Italian appetizers.

Wed., March 22, 6:45 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1D0-008; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Support what we do at Smithsonian Associates

Please help us continue to carry out our educational mission by making a charitable contribution today. Your help is essential because, unlike the museums, Smithsonian Associates is not federally funded and relies entirely on donations and membership support to bridge the gap between program expenses and ticket revenue.

SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels

A TOP SOMMELIER'S GUIDE TO WINE

Spring Wine Adventures

Expand your knowledge of wine as you travel the world with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in delectable wine-tasting adventures. Each immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.

In a New York State of Wine

New York wine has been pleasing palates and wowing enophiles for ages. The vineyards surrounding the Finger Lakes have proven time and time again to produce wines on a worldclass scale. Erik Segelbaum leads a tasty, in-depth session focused on the red and white varieties that grow best in the state, as well as explores some up-and-coming varieties that are being pioneered in New York’s appellations. This is a can’t-miss for any lover of bright, elegant, and complex wines.

Fri., April 21, 6 p.m.; CODE 1L0-511; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

Wein-derlust: Exploring Austrian Wine

Austria has a long and storied history of producing extraordinary, high-acid, and fresh wines. Whether it’s bone-dry Rieslings or Austria’s heritage grape, Grüner Veltliner, its whites are guaranteed palate pleasers and are exceptionally food-friendly. But Austria has so much more to offer. Native reds like Blaufrânkisch (Lemberger), Zweigelt, and St. Laurent shine brightly, as do international varieties like Pinot Noir (Spâtburgunder). This delightful session will have you drinking like a sommelier in no time.

Fri., May 19, 6 p.m.; CODE 1L0-512; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

Deutschland Entkorkt: Uncorking Germany’s Best

Germany has some of the world’s most challenging vineyards to maintain. Steep slopes, eroding hills, and climate change all collaborate to make viticulture a harrowing challenge for even the most seasoned winemaker. However, the effort is well worth it. The country’s wines are mainstays of any sommelier’s toolkit for food-and-wine pairings. It’s here where Riesling finds its ancestral home and is readily consumed in all styles from bone-dry to semi-sweet. Germany’s fresh, bright, and food-friendly reds are also comfortably at home on dinner tables all over the world. Erik Segelbaum serves up a delicious exploration of the wines of Germany and their rich histories. Fri., June 23, 6 p.m.; CODE 1L0-513; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

3 wine-tasting sessions: CODE 2WINE2023; Members $175; Nonmembers $200

Wine-tasting kit information: The cost includes curated personal tasting kits with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines. Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kits, which is an essential component of the series. Each session has separate kits available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program and the day of the program, 12–4 p.m. at The Eastern wine bar in the Capitol Hill neighborhood (360 7th Street SE; Metro: Eastern Market, Orange, Silver and Blue Lines). Due to state and federal laws, wine kits may not be shipped. NOTE: Patrons receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to each session.

Austrian red-wine vineyards

Finger Lakes, Central New York

Vineyards in southern Germany

In-person Program

To Have and Have Another

The Life and Times (and Cocktails) of Ernest Hemingway

Although he probably never drank Dos Equis, Ernest Hemingway could have been the prototype for the brand’s “Most Interesting Man in the World.” One of the 20th century’s greatest writers, he lived a big, bold, adventurous life, filled with exploits in locations across the world.

Writer Philip Greene, a co-founder of the Museum of the American Cocktail, examines the life, prose, travels, and adventures of Hemingway through the lens of his favorite drinks, watering holes, and drinking buddies. Enjoy light snacks and four cocktail samples and raise a toast to Papa.

Greene’s book To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion (TarcherPerigee) is available for purchase and signing.

Thurs., May 4, 6:45 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1L0-509; Members $55; Nonmembers $70

VOICES: Highlighting people who share their unique perspective on the world today

Rick Steves on Eating in Italy

A Cultured Conversation with Fred Plotkin

Italy draws hungry visitors who come to savor its superb cuisine. But then they are dazzled by the depth and variety of foods and wines from its 20 regions.

Travel expert Rick Steves joins Fred Plotkin, a specialist in Italian cuisine and culture, for a deep dive into many of Italy’s secret culinary pleasures. Their shared insights about Italy’s hidden gems ensure that a trip there is unforgettable—as well as delicious.

The co-authored book, Rick Steves Italy for Food Lovers (Avalon), is available for purchase.

Thurs., Feb. 2, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1M2-250; Members $25; Nonmembers $30 Rick Steves with Fred Plotkin

In-person Program

Pati Jinich: La Frontera

In her PBS PrimeTime docuseries “La Frontera,” Mexican chef Pati Jinich uses food as the vehicle to explore the culture and people along the border of the United States and Mexico, sharing meals with locals from all walks of life and reflecting on the melding of cultures.

Returning for a second season this spring, “La Frontera: The Everchanging Borderlands” features Jinich’s explorations on the western half of the Mexico–U.S. border, covering California and Baja California, Arizona and Sonora, and New Mexico and Chihuahua. Join her for a screening of an episode from the new season, followed by a conversation focusing on the creation of the series and what she discovered traveling in both countries.

Wed., April 26, 6:45 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1L0-508; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

ANGIE MOSIER

Pati Jinich

Philip Greene

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

Evocative Concert Music from Europe’s Northern Countries

Geography, geology, wind and weather, legend and language: all play a role in shaping the artistic vocabulary of national identity, and none more so than the countries situated around the wild waters of the Baltic, North, and Norwegian seas.

The best-known composers from this region have long held a cherished place in our concert halls. Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Carl Nielsen, and Arvo Pärt are among those who shaped our understanding of their varied cultures. Their music explores mysterious folklores, vast frozen land- and seascapes, spiritual beliefs, and turbulent histories.

Popular speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin explores both well- and lesser-known masterpieces from the ancient nations of the North.

FEB 14 Composers of Norway

FEB 21 Denmark’s Classical Heritage

FEB 28 Finland: Lakes, Forests and Shore

MAR 7 Far Across Oceans: Iceland, Sweden, Estonia

4 sessions: Tues., Feb. 14–March 7, 12–2 p.m.; CODE 1K0-337; Members $95; Nonmembers $105

The Grapes of Wrath

Novelist John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is one of the greatest works of American fiction. Enraged by the treatment of migrant farm workers in California’s Central Valley during the Great Depression, Steinbeck wrote the novel in just 100 days. It was acknowledged as a masterpiece of fiction: Steinbeck won both the Pulitzer and Nobel prizes. But the book also aroused a great deal of controversy and condemnation.

Join humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson for a spirited discussion of The Grapes of Wrath and why its deeply felt themes resonate today.

Tues., Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-338; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Gene Kelly

Singing and Dancing in the Rain

Gene Kelly is one of the most engaging and influential dancers to ever set foot in Hollywood. At a time when most movie dancing was basically a showcase for elegant partners in motion, Kelly transformed not only the nature of male dancing but also the crucial role of the camera in making dance come alive on the big screen.

In a program illustrated with video clips, media expert Brian Rose surveys Kelly’s remarkable achievements and enduring impact on Hollywood dancing.

Thurs., Feb. 23, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-238; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A

Edvard Grieg

In-person concerts

The

Smithsonian Chamber Music Society: 2023 Season

All performances are in the Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, American History Museum

The Axelrod String Quartet: Stradivarius and Amati

Join the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society for the unparalleled experience of hearing two magnificent quartets of instruments—one made by Antonio Stradivari, the other by his teacher Nicoló Amati—in this popular three-concert series. Axelrod String Quartet members Marc Destrubé, James Dunham, and Kenneth Slowik perform with guest violinists in programs that illustrate the breadth of the quartet repertoire while being unified through the inclusion of a Beethoven quartet in F Major on each program.

Sat., Feb. 25 and Sun., Feb. 26: Haydn: Quartet in C Major, Op. 20, No. 2; Shostakovich: Quartet No. 4 in D Major, Op. 83; Beethoven: Quartet in F Major, Op. 18, No. 1; with guest violinist Shelby Yamin Sat., April 1 and Sun., April 2: Mozart: Quartet in G Major, K387 Bartók: Quartet No. 1, Op. 7; Beethoven: Quartet in F Major, Op. 59, No. 1; with guest violinist Mark Fewer Sat., April 29 and Sun., April 30: Haydn: Quartet in D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, “Fifths”; Britten: Quartet No. 2 in C Major, Op. 36; Beethoven: Quartet in F Major, Op. 135; with guest violinist Joseph Puglia 3-concert series: CODE BPS4 (Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.); CODE BPS5 (Sundays, 6:30 p.m.); Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, American History Museum; Members $66; Nonmembers $90

Individual concerts: Sat., Feb. 25 (CODE 1P0-769); Sun., Feb. 26 (CODE 1P0-772); Sat., April 1 (CODE 1P0-770); Sun., April 2 (CODE 1P0-773); Sat., April 29 (CODE 1P0-771); Sun., April 30 (CODE 1P0-774); Members $27; Nonmembers $35

In-person concerts

More Musical Delights in the 2023 Concert Season

Viennese Classics

The Smithsonian Chamber Players

Veteran Smithsonian Chamber Players violinist Ian Swensen and fortepianist Kenneth Slowik join talented younger artists Keats Dieffenbach, viola; Wade Davis, cello; and Sam Suggs, bass, in two of the best-loved masterpieces of the Viennese classical period composed just one decade apart: Beethoven’s Trio in D Major, Op. 70, No. 1, “Ghost”; and Schubert’s Quintet in A Major, “Trout”. Sat., Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.; CODE 1P0-776; Members $25; Nonmembers $35

A Celebration of Marin Marais

The Smithsonian Chamber Players

Marin Marais (1656–1728) was a preeminent French master of the bass viola da gamba. The program includes works for one, two, and three viols, with accompaniment provided by the colorful team of viol, theorbo, and harpsichord.

The players are Kenneth Slowik, Rebecca Landell-Reed, and Catherine Slowik, viol; Lucas Harris, theorbo; and Webb Wiggins, harpsichord.

Sat., March 18, 7:30 p.m.; CODE 1P0-777; Members $25; Nonmembers $35

Sun., March 19, 7 p.m.; CODE 1P0-778; Members $25; Nonmembers $35

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

Smithsonian Chamber Music Society concerts are held in the intimate Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, American History Museum

Axelrod Quartet (clockwise from left): Marc Destrubé, violin; James Dunham, viola; Kenneth Slowik, violoncello

In-person concerts

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra 2022–2023 Concert Series

Under the artistic direction of maestro Charlie Young, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra has celebrated some of the greatest jazz music throughout its 32-year history as one of the crown jewels of the National Museum of American History.

Mamie Smith, Bessie Smith, and the Centennial Year of Race Records

The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Ensemble delves into the vocal styling of legendary blues singers Mamie (“Queen of the Blues”) Smith and Bessie (“Empress of the Blues”) Smith. Both artists were highly touted in the 1920s for their groundbreaking Okeh Race Record recordings. Singer Ekep Nkwelle performs “Crazy Blues” (1920), “Gulf Coast Blues” (1923), and “Jenny’s Ball” (1931).

Sat., Feb. 18, 7 p.m.; Baird Auditorium, Natural History Museum; CODE 1P0-779; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Jazzed About Art Jazz Appreciation Month

To kick off the annual worldwide celebration of jazz, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra offers a soundtrack filled with rhythm, texture, and color as it showcases the work of prominent 20th–century visual artists including William Sharp, John Fenton, and Romare Bearden. “Be-Bop” by Dizzy Gillespie, “Crying and Sighing” by McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, and “Kingdom of Not” by Sun Ra are among the musical selections.

Sat., April 1, 7 p.m.; Baird Auditorium, Natural History Museum; CODE 1P0-780; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Duke Ellington Orchestra: A Centennial Celebration

They’ve been called everything from the Washingtonians to Duke Ellington and His Kentucky Club Orchestra to Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (and more). But the Duke Ellington Orchestra under any name maintains an unparalleled place in the history of American music. This year marks the 100th anniversary of this legendary ensemble, and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra is ready to celebrate its vast musical legacy. Performance selections include “Rainy Nights,” “Harlem Airshaft,” “Charpoy,” and “The Biggest and Busiest Intersection.”

Sat., June 10, 7 p.m; Baird Auditorium, Natural History Museum; CODE 1P0-781; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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.

Charlie Young

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in concert

JACLYN

NASH

JACLYN NASH

The Oscars

Before the big Academy Awards night rolls around on March 12, what’s more enjoyable than comparing your picks with other movie fans? Washington City Paper film critic Noah Gittell hosts an evening focusing on all things Oscar, from Academy Awards history and trivia to discussions of this year’s nominations and behind-the-scenes stories. He sorts through all of the story lines, rumors, and gossip, so that when the telecast begins, you’ll be the most knowledgeable guest at your Oscar party. Cast your vote for the winners in several major categories, with the most accurate predictions eligible for prizes after the awards are presented.

Tues., March 7, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-243; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Feminist Fairy Tales

Who Needs a Prince?

You might have heard something like this: “Fairy tales are so sexist. All these girls needing a prince to save them!”

In fact, scholars have grappled with questions such as why so many famous fairy-tale heroines are waiting to be rescued— and whether they really need rescuing at all. This work has even spurred the creation of new fairy tales that reflect contemporary mores in old stories.

The Thinker in the garden of Musée Rodin, Paris

What Does It Mean To Live a Good Life?

Philosophical Evenings

What better way to spend four March evenings than by pondering one of the central questions of the Western philosophical tradition: What does it mean to live a good life? Learn how some of the greatest philosophers of all time have approached this fundamental question and how the question lives on today.

Discussions are led by philosophy scholar Michael Gorman

MAR 7 Plato and Aristotle on the Life of Reason

MAR 14 Augustine and Aquinas on the Life of Reason...with Divine Help

Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman

Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman explore how scholarly discussions of sex and gender have transformed the art of the fairy tale as we know it.

MAR 21 Modern Approaches: Hume, Kant, Mill

MAR 28 Modern Moral Philosophy in Question

4 sessions: Tues., March 7–28, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-251; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Who Won, Who Didn’t, and Why It Matters

Each year in October, the greatest award in the world of books— the Nobel Prize in Literature—is announced. Since 1901, the Swedish Academy has given the prize to an author from any country who has produced “the most outstanding work in an idealistic direction.” These subjective words have led to choices that have been alternately celebrated and criticized.

Join Joseph Luzzi, a professor of comparative literature at Bard College, as he delves into the history of the prize, including some of the Academy’s more controversial losers (Leo Tolstoy) and winners (Bob Dylan).

Thurs., April 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-253; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Literature’s Nobel Prize

A Celebration of French Music

France is an immeasurable powerhouse of cultural achievement. Through French politics and history, philosophy, fine arts, and cuisine, our lives continue to be influenced by the Gallic vision of society. And in many ways, the history of French music is also the history of Western music. But what makes French music French?

Popular speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin combines lectures and piano demonstrations to explore the social, political, religious, and cultural influences that shaped the output of France’s great composers. She presents a selection of the greatest works in the literature from early 12th-century polyphony by Léonin and Pérotin; exquisite work by Guillaume de Machaut (14th century) and Josquin des Prez (15th century); the 19thcentury massive scale and spectacle of Hector Berlioz and Georges Bizet; and modernity defined by Satie, Milhaud, Poulenc, and Messiaen.

MAR 21 700 Years in 2 Hours

MAR 28 Excess, Outrage, and Virtuosity

APR 4 Passing the Flame

APR 11 Modernism Smashes Old Idols

4 sessions: Tues., March 21–April 11, 12–2 p.m.; CODE 1K0-345; Members $95; Nonmembers $105

Barbra Streisand: She’s All That

She’s all-daring and all-voice, magnificent and maddening, improbable and irreplaceable. We might sometimes poke fun at her (she does) or say she’s “last year,” but when she starts to sing, she can still your heart or lift you over the moon. She’s a sorceress of song who covers pop tunes, show tunes, movie tunes, and Sondheim with ease. And then there are her movies—funny, tender, or over the top. Documentary filmmaker and writer Sara Lukinson’s abundant clips make this a fun night to spend with La Streisand.

Tues., March 28, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-347; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Wonder Tales from Japan

Whether they’re called fairy tales or something else, magical stories are found the world over. Like their Western counterpart, Japan’s fantastical stories—otogi-banashi—are part of the body of stories folklorists call “wonder tales”: They contain supernatural elements, are set in the land of once upon a time, and feature marvelous situations.

Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman explore traditional tales from Japan and how contemporary Japanese creators are taking a clue from the West as they combine the enchantments of wonder tales and fairy tales in modern genres like anime (animation) and manga (comics).

Mon., April 3, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-249; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

“The Bamboo-Cutter and the Moon-Child,” The Japanese Fairy Book, 1908

Lithographic poster for the premiere of Georges Bizet's opera Carmen, 1875

Promotional photos for the 1964 release of Streisand’s album People

1912 Ballets Russes program depicting Vaslav Nijinsky in L'après-midi d’un faune, composed by Claude Debussy

In-person Program

Smithsonian Chorus: Legends of Song

If you’re looking for a choral program that celebrates memorable music across the decades, this is the one for you. Join fellow music lovers to sing timeless classics from the 1920s and ’30s such as “I Got Rhythm” all the way to ’70s and ’80s hits like “I’ll Be There” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Choral conductor and music educator Ernest Johnson leads the ensemble in arrangements of the hits you know and love. Songs may include favorites by the Gershwins, Duke Ellington, the Beatles, and others, selected by the conductor. (The final song list and musical arrangements are chosen to fit the specific vocal and musical abilities of the group.)

The experience is designed to entertain, challenge, and educate adult singers of all skill levels. Singers receive general instruction in vocal techniques that include exercises in healthy breath. Basic music reading instruction included as music is rehearsed. Rehearsals culminate in a free performance on June 8.

8 sessions plus performance: Thurs., April 13–May 4, Tues., May 9, Thurs., May 18–June 1, 6:30–8:30 p.m.; Thurs., June 8 performance, 7 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1P0-782; Members $120; Nonmembers: $135

More Stories from the American Songbook

Here are more of those wonderful songs we love, and the stories behind their long and unexpected lives. Each program takes up the work of one songwriter and a few of his familiar, forever songs, where daydreams, blue skies, and love lost and found still live.

Combing a lively lecture with a wide variety of film clips, filmmaker and cultural historian Sara Lukinson traces how these favorite songs from the Great American Songbook came to be and how different artists, unexpected arrangements, and changing times transformed them into something new but still the same.

APR 19 Blue Skies: Songs by Irving Berlin

MAY 3 My Huckleberry Friend: Songs by Johnny Mercer

MAY 17 The Look of Love: Songs by Burt Bacharach

3 sessions: Wed., April 19, May 3, May 17, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1K0-357; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Individual sessions: Wed., April 19 (CODE 1K0-358); Wed., May 3 (CODE 1K0-359); Wed., May 17 (CODE 1K0-360); 12–1:15 p.m.; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Celebrating Brahms

The Man, His Music, and His Legacy

Impassioned romanticism and classical principles are reconciled in the masterworks of Johannes Brahms. Opera and classical music expert Saul Lilienstein examines the breadth of Brahms’ extraordinary career, from his teenage years playing piano in the brothels of Hamburg to his sweeping triumphs in Vienna and international recognition as the greatest living symphonist. Explore the full range of his work in this series highlighted by film clips and music recordings.

APR 18 Music for Piano and Chamber Ensembles

APR 25 Choral Masterworks and Lieder

MAY 2 Concertos

MAY 9 Symphonic Music, Part I

MAY 16 Symphonic Music, Part 2

5 sessions: Tues., April 18–May 16, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-255; Members $85; Nonmembers $95

Johannes Brahms

Saul Lilienstein

RISA RYAN

The chorus performs

Gods and Mortals

A Modern Look at Ancient Greek Myths

Gripping tales that abound with fantastic characters and astonishing twists and turns, Greek myths confront what it means to be mortal in a world of powerful forces beyond human control. Gods transform themselves into animals, humans, and shimmering gold to visit the earth in disguise, and mortals use their wits and strength to conquer the forces unleashed by the gods.

Classicist Sarah Iles Johnston looks at some of the best-known tales as well as others that are seldom told; highlights rich connections among characters and stories; and draws attention to the often-overlooked perspectives of female characters

Wed., April 26, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-361; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Virgil’s Aeneid

An Inside Look into Ancient Rome’s Greatest Epic Poem

Two millennia after it was composed, Virgil’s Aeneid remains one of the most influential and remarkable works in Western literature. Joseph Luzzi, a professor of comparative literature at Bard College, delves into what makes Virgil’s great work tick.

This ancient poem that recounts the myth of how the Roman empire was founded remains relevant today, Luzzi says. He explains why the Aeneid has unusual force and how it continues—as well as departs from— the storyline of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey

Thurs., May 11, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-262; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

George Gershwin: Our Love Is Here to Stay

George Gershwin is one of the giants of American music, unique in that he was a brilliant composer of both popular songs (“Swanee,” “I Got Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”) and more serious music, including Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, and Porgy and Bess

Pianist and Gershwin authority Robert Wyatt explores the composer’s life and legacy, sharing film clips, music recordings, and rare film footage, along with unpublished photographs. Archival recordings of his 1934 radio program, “Music by Gershwin,” are also featured. S’wonderful!

Tues., May 23, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-261; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A

Dido, Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas from Virgil's Aeneid

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

George Gershwin by Carl Van Vechten, 1937

KATE SWEENEY

Sarah Iles Johnston

CULTURE HI STORY SCIENCE

ART SCI ENCE STUDIO ARTS

TOURS

Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.

New Series

The Geology of Western National Parks

Join geologist Kirt Kempter as he explores the geology of Western National Parks over the course of 2023, with an in-depth look at one location every month. Each program’s content is enhanced by geologic maps, photos, and Google Earth imagery.

FEB 6 Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands, New Mexico

MAR 6 Grand Canyon, Arizona

I N SI DE S C I ENCE Mon., Feb. 6 (CODE 1NV-018); Mon., March 6 (CODE 1NV-019); 7 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Botanical Gardens: A World Tour

Indulge in a colorful midwinter escape as horticultural experts lead a series of virtual visits that highlight the beauty of notable botanical gardens in settings as far-flung as Singapore, the United Kingdom, the eastern United States, and Japan. In vibrant visuals they explore how each garden has taken a unique approach to design and interpretation as they celebrate plant collections, conservation, education, and the distinctive environments and landscapes in which they bloom.

FEB 5 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Eden Project

FEB 12 Singapore Botanic Gardens and Norfolk Botanical Garden

FEB 19 Temple Gardens of Kyoto, Japan

3 sessions: Sun., Feb. 5, 12, and 19, 4 p.m.; CODE 1NV-BOT; Members $60; Nonmembers $75

Individual sessions: Sun., Feb. 5 (CODE 1NV-A13); Sun., Feb. 12 (CODE 1NV-B13); Sun., Feb. 19 (CODE 1NV-C13); 4 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

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 catch every issue by subscribing at: smithsonianassociates.org/digital-digest

Palm House in Kew Gardens, London

Singapore Botanic Gardens

A temple garden in Kyoto

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

How To Find an Owl in Your Neighborhood

Did you know that there is a top-of-the-food-chain predator likely living in your neighborhood? It is a great horned owl, found in every state except Hawaii and in almost every habitat you can imagine. Owls are incredibly adaptable animals and several species are regularly found where humans live. But their amazing camouflage, nocturnal habits, and silent flight often make them hidden to us.

Join Mark H.X. Glenshaw, aka the “Owl Man,” to learn how you can find these amazing and beautiful animals and other owls right in your neighborhood.

Sun., Feb. 12, 3–4:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-316; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Back from the Brink

Lessons from Wildlife Species Defying Extinction

The news about wildlife is dire—more than 900 species have been wiped off the planet since industrialization. But there are also glimmers of hope and lessons to be learned from animals that have defied the global trends.

Environmental scholar Christopher J. Preston draws on stories from researchers, Indigenous people, and activists as he examines how populations of some species—from bears in Italy to Atlantic whales—are coming back.

His book Tenacious Beasts: Wildlife Recoveries That Change How We Think About Animals (MIT Press) is available for purchase.

I N SI DE S C I ENCE Mon., Feb. 27, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-007; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

“See You in Orbit?”

A History of Space Tourism

Millions of dreamers have anticipated their chance to travel in space. However, since human space travel began, fewer than 650 earthlings have viewed our planet from a spaceship. What makes so many people think they have the slightest chance to fulfill the dream?

Alan Ladwig, former manager of NASA’s Space Flight Participant Program, has one answer: For the past 70-plus years, space visionaries, aerospace companies, government agencies, and the media have told us the countdown is coming. Ladwig draws on his book See You in Orbit? Our Dream of Spaceflight as he examines the expectations surrounding space tourism.

I N SI DE S C I ENCE Thurs., March 23, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-027; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

A Journey Through the Potomac Gorge

One of the most biologically diverse and ecologically significant landmarks in America, the Potomac Gorge, located near Washington, D.C., has held an important place in human history since the Ice Age.

Naturalist and author Melanie Choukas-Bradley has spent the past year exploring the gorge on foot, by bicycle, and by kayak. She leads a virtual journey along the most dramatic section of the 405-mile-long river: the 15-mile stretch from Great Falls in Maryland and Virginia to Theodore Roosevelt Island. It’s a perfect way to plan outdoor adventures for the coming seasons.

Wed., March 29, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1NV-026; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Potomac River, Great Falls National Park

Mark H.X. Glenshaw

Assateague: A Natural History Primer

Garden educator and naturalist Keith Tomlinson leads a virtual tour of Assateague Island National Seashore and neighboring Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The barrier islands have their own ecology, with ephemeral landscapes bound by the coastal plain and the restless Atlantic Ocean. Marine and continental biomes converge to create natural spaces that attract visitors seeking recreational opportunities including remote beach hiking, birding, biking, and camping. Appealing as well are glimpses of the managed free-ranging herds of horses.

Tomlinson also explores unique maritime forests, dune communities, and intertidal wetlands, as well as the island’s fascinating human history.

I N SI DE S C I ENCE Thurs., March 30, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-025; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Black Holes 101

Black holes are bizarre cosmic objects whose gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape them. And although you might guess that Einstein came up with the concept of black holes, the idea can be traced back to the late 1700s. But Einstein did develop the notion that three-dimensional space and time are part of a single framework to describe the known universe and how black holes shape it.

Kelly Beatty, senior editor at Sky & Telescope magazine, discusses how cosmologists still grapple with how best to describe and study them.

I N SI DE S C I ENCE Wed., March 29, 6:45 p.m; CODE 1L0-505; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Wild horses at Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

Artist's concept of the most distant supermassive black hole ever discovered

ROBIN

A Grand Tour of the Solar System

Presented

Observatory

This series treks to the sun and the four inner terrestrial planets before traveling outward to the asteroid belt, four Jovian planets, and beyond. At each session, a professional astronomer presents the latest research on a solar system body.

Following the talk and a question-and-answer period, Peter Plavchan, a professor of physics and astronomy at George Mason University, brings that night’s sky right into participants’ living rooms via remote control of the university observatory, weather permitting.

The Sun, Front and Center

The tour begins with the 4½-billion-year-old star at the center of the solar system, the sun. Its gravity is the glue that holds the solar system together. Its activity, from powerful eruptions to the steady stream of charged particles it sends out, provides a protective bubble that shields the planets from damaging galactic radiation. George Mason University astrophysicist and cosmologist Hakeem Oluseyi shines a light on this special star.

Tues., April 18, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-254; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Mercury, Small but Mighty Interesting

Mercury, the innermost planet in the solar system, remained relatively unexplored until NASA’s MESSENGER probe orbited and studied it from 2011 to 2015. MESSENGER’s results have transformed the understanding of Mercury, forcing scientists to reexamine what was thought to be known about the first rock from the sun. Physicist Ronald J. Vervack Jr., who worked on the MESSENGER mission, highlights how Mercury provides insight into the formation, evolution, and current state of the solar system.

Tues., May 9, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-255; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Venus, Shrouded in Clouds

In this solar system, Venus is the planet most like Earth in size and density, yet at some point in planetary history they evolved very differently, creating a kind of Jekyll and Hyde scenario: Venus now has a toxic atmosphere and is the hottest planet, contrasting with habitable Earth. University of California, Riverside, astrophysicist Stephen Kane reveals clues that point to a possible habitable past of Venus and discusses how its environment might have become hostile to life.

Tues., May 30, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-256; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

in partnership with George Mason University

These programs are part of Smithsonian Associates I N SI DE S C I ENCE

NASA/JPL

NASA/JPL NASA/JPL

A colorful view of Mercury created from the color base map imaging campaign during MESSENGER's mission

A solar flare erupting

An image of Venus and its cloud patterns captured by the Galileo spacecrafts, 1990

Renaissance Cabinets of Curiosity

Collecting All Sorts of Wonders

A narwhal tusk and a meticulous painting of a tulip might seem to have little in common, but they were among the wonders of nature and artifice displayed proudly in Renaissance collections of marvels known as curiosity cabinets. In their quest for knowledge, collectors ranging from apothecaries to Medici dukes acquired and categorized such intriguing pieces from around the globe.

Mario Livio on What Makes Us Curious

The ability to ask “why?” makes us uniquely human. Curiosity drives scientific research, is the engine behind creativity in all disciplines, and provides a necessary ingredient in every form of storytelling that delights.

Cabinet of Curiosities by Domenico Remps, 1690

Biologist Kay Etheridge describes how these collections provided naturalists with centers of study and source material— and ultimately led to the genesis of the modern museum.

I N SI DE S C I ENCE Wed., April 19, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-251; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Live from the UK

Chasing

Plants

Join botanist Chris Thorogood for a glimpse into the exhilarating adventures of a field botanist. As part of his job, Thorogood has clambered over cliffs and up erupting volcanoes and trekked through typhoons. Along the way, he’s encountered exotic pitcher plants and orchids of unimaginable beauty.

Thorogood shares details of his hair-raising excursions and explains the vital work he and other botanists are doing to protect the world’s plants. His book Chasing Plants: Journeys with a Botanist Through Rainforests, Swamps and Mountains (University of Chicago Press) is available for purchase..

I N SI DE S C I ENCE Thurs., April 27, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-257; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Renowned astrophysicist Mario Livio interprets cutting-edge research that explores the origin and mechanisms of curiosity. Livio has examined the personalities of Leonardo da Vinci and physicist Richard Feynman and interviewed nine exceptionally curious people living today, including linguist Noam Chomsky and the virtuoso lead guitarist of the rock band Queen, Brian May, who holds a Ph.D in astrophysics.

I N SI DE S C I ENCE Tues., April 25, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-259; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

In-person and Online Program Taking a New Look at Historical Objects

Interdisciplinary Technology Studies Unveil Insights

Using sophisticated tools that include a repurposed particle accelerator and working with museums, universities, and private collectors, Michael B. Toth and his colleagues have digitized everything from manuscripts to fossils, mining them for new information about their content and creation. Among the pieces they have worked on are the earliest known copy of work by Archimedes, Sir Isaac Newton’s sketch of how a rainbow is formed, Gutenberg and other early Bibles, and Muslim manuscripts.

Digitally recovered library stamp from a stolen book

Toth, the president of R.B. Toth Associates, talks about some of their findings.

I N SI DE S C I ENCE Tues., May 2, 6:45 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1J0-259; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Mario Livio

FESTIVAL DELLA SCIENZA/ BRUNO OLIVERI /LORENZO GAMMAROTA

A tropical pitcher plant (Nepenthes villosa) on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo, painted in oils by Chris Thorogood

R.B. TOTH ASSOCIATES

Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.

SmithsonianAssociates.org/artcertificateArt-full Fridays | Live from Italy, with Elaine Ruffolo

World Art History Certificate electives: Earn ½ credit each

The Three Greatest Paintings in Florence

For centuries, the city of Florence nurtured an unceasing succession of great artists. No other place can rival it for the quantity of first-rate, locally created works of art.

You might wonder, which of the hundreds and hundreds of Renaissance masterpieces in Florence are considered the most significant? Join Renaissance art historian Elaine Ruffolo for an in-depth look at three paintings and learn why she considers them the most important in the city. Can you guess which?

Fri., Feb. 3, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1H0-757; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

From Towers to Palaces

An Architectural Tour of Medieval Florence

The architecture of medieval Florence was characterized by soaring towers, massive fortress-like palaces, and breathtakingly beautiful basilicas. During the period of communal self-government in the 13th and 14th centuries, public buildings such as the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (now known as the Bargello) and the Palazzo dei Priori (today’s Palazzo Vecchio) set an important precedent for the palace builders of wealthy patrician families during the Renaissance.

Join art historian Elaine Ruffolo as she traces how the built environment of Florence clearly reflects the historical development of the city at the dawn of the Renaissance.

Fri., March 31, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1D0-009; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo

The Uffizi Gallery

An Unrivaled Collection

Located in the heart of Florence, the Uffizi Gallery has long been regarded as one of the most important museum collections in the world. Not only was it one of the first in Europe to emerge in accordance with the modern idea of a museum, but it is also unsurpassed in the quality of works it contains, boasting some of the greatest masterpieces of the Florentine Renaissance.

Join art historian Elaine Ruffolo as she discusses the history and aspects of the gallery—including the patronage of the Medici family, the innovative architecture of Vasari, and, of course, an in-depth examination of the best of the remarkable painting collection.

Fri., April 14 and 28, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1D0-010; Members $35; Nonmembers $40

Gallery of the Academy of Florence

The Uffizi Gallery

Certif

icate

Prog ram i n World Art H i story

Art is all around us. It excites us, enriches our lives, and enlivens our imaginations. But to truly appreciate any work of art, we need to understand the context and culture in which it was produced. That’s why Smithsonian Associates offers an exciting certificate program in World Art History.

The wide-ranging offerings are designed to provide a global perspective on art and architecture and draw on the Smithsonian’s world-class collections and the rich resources of other Washington institutions.

You love art. Now become the expert you’ve always wanted to be.

The core courses and electives in our program are selected from among Smithsonian Associates’ ongoing courses, seminars, study tours, and Studio Arts classes. Look for “World Art History Certificate” throughout the program guide to see current listings.

Complete the program requirements at your own pace. Credits are counted from the day of program registration and are not given retroactively.

Register now and receive invitations for special tours and informal gatherings with course leaders and other program participants.

To

SmithsonianAssociates.org/ArtCertificate

Left column, from the top: Fresco of the Libyan Sibyl, ca. 1511, Sistine Chapel, by Michelangelo; Taj Mahal, completed 1643, Agra, India; The Young Ladies of Avignon, 1907, by Pablo Picasso; Equestrian ceramic figure, ca. 13th–15th centuries, Mali*; Second column: Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, 2010, by Frank Gehry, Las Vegas; The Calf-Bearer, ca. 570 B.C.; Athens, Greece; Frida Kahlo by Magda Pach, 1933*; Before the Ballet, ca. 1892, Edgar Degas

*from Smithsonian museum collections

In-person Program

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½

credit

Winslow Homer

Capturing an America in Transformation

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit War and Pieces

The Met Cloisters and the Lens of History

A Visit from the Old Mistress by Winslow Homer, 1876

Painter Winslow Homer (1836–1910) was raised in the years before the Civil War and came of age in a nation in crisis. Like Twain and Whitman, he captured the landscape of a rapidly changing country.

Author William R. Cross examines Homer’s role in American culture as a witness to the times in which he lived and the challenge of achieving a just and equitable society.

Cross’s biography Winslow Homer: American Passage (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) is available for purchase and signing.

Wed., Feb. 22, 6:45 p.m.; McEvoy Auditorium, Smithsonian American Art Museum; CODE 1L0-503; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Marisol:

A Pop Art Superstar

She was glamorous, sophisticated, and wickedly funny. Marisol Escobar, known simply as “Marisol” (1930–2016), survived a traumatic childhood to become a successful female Pop artist and darling of 1960s New York’s avant-garde. Her life-sized, carved and painted wood portraits of world leaders, Hollywood celebrities, and herself combine brilliant draftsmanship with a keen sense of color and texture.

Art historian Nancy G. Heller examines Marisol’s major works to define her place within the broader context of Pop Art and 1960s American society.

Thurs., Feb. 9, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-242; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

At the 1938 public opening of The Met Cloisters—the branch of the Metropolitan Museum devoted to the art of medieval Europe—not a word was spoken about the threat of war looming over the continent. Yet, ironically, The Met Cloisters’ very foundations stand in witness to the devastating impact of centuries of war and revolution on artistic heritage.

Barbara Drake Boehm, Met Cloisters curator emerita, considers some of its artworks against the backdrop of history, with special attention both to the dangers that beset them and the circumstances that preserved them.

Fri., Feb. 10, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1NV-014; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

The Regency World of Jane Austen Art, Architecture, Culture

Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennet, Anne Elliot, and the Dashwood sisters may be fictional heroines, but their creator Jane Austen set their adventures in romance against the very real social and historical backdrop of Regency England.

Art historian Bonita Billman brings the era to life during a delightful day of cultural time travelling. She surveys Regency manners and fashions, the personalities who dominated the public imagination, and the stylish spa town of Bath, where many of Austen’s characters made appearances. Her discussions of customs and manners, interior decoration and fashion, and social life and everyday life provide a cultural context for those characters.

9:30 a.m. The Period’s Personalities 11 a.m. Regency Portraiture 12:15 p.m. Break 1:15 p.m. Late-Georgian Architecture

2:45 p.m. The Fabric of Regency Life

Sat., Feb. 11, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-239; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Drawing of Jane Austen by her sister Cassandra, 1810

Marisol Escobar

The Gothic Chapel

Lesser-Known Museums of Rome

In this new quarterly series, Renaissance art expert Rocky Ruggiero spotlights the significant collections of Rome’s sometimes-overlooked museums.

Ancient Art Collections of Rome

Many of Rome’s lesser-known museums contain some of the world’s most important Greco-Roman art. From the Equestrian Monument of Marcus Aurelius in the Capitoline Museums to Emperor Augustus’ giant Ara Pacis (“Altar of Peace”) in the museum that takes its name from the work, to the most significant collection of Etruscan art in the world at the Villa Giulia, Ruggiero, Renaissance art expert, explores the ancient art collections of Rome’s most important museums of antiquities.

Mon., Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-233; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Private Art Collections of Rome,

Part 1

A number of Rome’s greatest art treasures are displayed in the private collections of historically influential Roman families. Not surprisingly, some of these families produced popes such as Innocent X (Pamphilj), Urban VIII (Barberini), and Martin V (Colonna). Fortunately, a number of these art collections are now museums open to the public.

Renaissance art expert Ruggiero explores four of these private collections—the Doria Pamphilj Gallery, the Barberini Palace Museum, the Villa Farnesina, and the Colonna Palace—and explains how the artworks they held helped shape the Italian Renaissance.

Mon., May 1, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-258; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

Cultural Heritage Sites of India

From India’s elaborately decorated Ajanta Caves to the splendor of the Taj Mahal, UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites offers a spectacular window into South Asia’s past. Art historian Robert DeCaroli highlights historic palaces, grand temples, royal mausoleums, and more that showcase how India’s rich religious traditions have inspired the creation of many of the subcontinent’s abundant historically and culturally significant destinations.

9:30 a.m. Rock-cut Wonders

11 a.m. Sacred Sites (Part 1) 12:30 p.m. Break

1:30 p.m. Sacred Sites (Part 2) 2:45 p.m. Seats of Power

Sat., April 22, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1J0-252; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

World Art History Certificate electives: Earn ½ credit each

Palazzo Colonna

The façade of the Ara Pacis Augustae

Lunchtime with a Curator Decorative Arts Design Series

Join curator Elizabeth Lay, a regular lecturer on the topics of fashion, textiles, and American furniture, for image-rich lectures focusing on decorative arts and design topics.

England’s Fashion Museum Bath holds one of the world’s great collections of historical and contemporary fashionable dress. In a special transatlantic conversation, Lay speaks with Rosemary Harden, senior curator and Fashion Museum manager, about the museum’s world-famous collections.

Throughout history, beds conveyed wealth and status and, for many, were the most expensive object in the home. Textile historian Natalie F. Larson looks at the variety of sleeping arrangements from slave dwellings and Indigenous populations to the homes of middle-class and upwardly aspiring Virginians.

Finally, learn how textile conservation is a form of cultural diplomacy, cultivating and honoring people and heritage. Textile conservator Julia M. Brennan describes how she has worked to build cultural bridges by engaging in both high-profile and grassroots projects to help set up conservation labs, train local specialists, and preserve local and regional textile heritage.

FEB 13 The Glorious Collection of the Fashion Museum Bath

FEB 27 Sleeping Around Virginia

MAR 13 Textile Diplomacy

3 sessions: Mon., Feb. 13, 27, and March 13, 12–1 p.m.; CODE 1K0-339; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Individual sessions: Mon., Feb. 13 (CODE 1K0-340); Mon., Feb. 27 (CODE 1K0-341); Mon., March 13 (CODE 1K0-342); 12–1 p.m.; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Understanding Contemporary Art From

Pop to Pluralism

Avant-garde American art of the 1960s was dominated by two contradictory impulses. On one side, a group of young artists returned to representational art, but with a cool and decidedly modern twist known as Pop. At the same time, the so-called minimalists created a new kind of abstraction, paring down their works to just a few carefully considered colors and forms.

Then, beginning in the 1970s, artists explored an enormous range of new materials, techniques, and styles. That pluralistic experimentation encompassed forms from conceptual and superrealist art to environmental and performance art, all of which still resonate today.

Art historian Nancy G. Heller looks at the roots and later influences of radical American art from the last five decades.

FEB 28 Soup Cans and Comic Strips: The Revolutions of Pop Art and Minimalism

MAR 7 Introduction to Pluralism: The Extremes

MAR 14 Taking Art Out of the Gallery and Museum

MAR 21 Feminist Art and the Influence of Identity Politics

MAR 28 Erasing Boundaries: Redefining Art

5 sessions: Tues., Feb. 28–March 28, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-244; Members $85; Nonmembers $95

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

The Fashion Museum, Bath

Julia Brennan and master batik makers review a historic batik reproduction owned by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta.

GEORGES

JANSOONE

Jeff Koons’ sculpture Puppy in front of the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

Miss Lillian, 1977, by Andy Warhol

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Astrology in Renaissance Art Representation

and Meaning

The study and practice of astrology re-entered Western Europe in the early 12th century, primarily via Spain, where Arabic and Jewish scholars had preserved ancient astrology. Controversies over the Arabic theory of planetary conjunctions, especially that of 1484, which predicted the end of the Christian religion, helped to drive European developments in the practice of astrology and its representation in art. Art historian Claudia Rousseau explains what astrology actually is, how it works, and its mathematical basis, as well as how it was represented in art in the Renaissance era.

Thurs., Feb. 9, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-232; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Wildfire: The Life and Works of Edmonia Lewis

Edmonia Lewis, born free in upstate New York in 1844, was an American sculptor of Native American (Mississauga Ojibwe) and African-American heritage. Also known by her Ojibwe name, “Wildfire”, she spent most of her life in Rome working with a group of expatriate female Neoclassical artists. Her marble sculptures attracted prominent European patrons.

Art historian Nancy G. Heller discusses the renewed interest in her work and her place in art history.

Thurs., Feb. 23, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-243; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Masterworks

by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse at the Barnes Foundation

Drawing on what is considered one of the greatest postImpressionist and early modern art collections in the world, Barnes Foundation educator Penny Hansen guides live virtual tours through the galleries, examining in depth the paintings of three revolutionary artists.

Using high-definition Deep Zoom technology developed by the Barnes, Hansen provides astonishingly close-up views of the canvases, revealing their paint surface, brushstrokes, and details in ways that bring the art and the artist vividly to life. All programs provide the chance to interact with Hansen in a Q&A session.

MAR 9 Matisse

MAR 16 Renoir

MAR 23 Cézanne

3 sessions: Thurs., March 9, 16, and 23, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1NV-BAR; Members $75; Nonmembers $90

Individual sessions: Thurs., March 9 (CODE 1NV-022); Thurs., March 16 (CODE 1NV023); Thurs., March 23 (CODE 1NV-024); 12–1:30 p.m.; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Edmonia Lewis by Henry Rocher

Clock detail of Torre dell'Orologio, Venice

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit (for each program session)

Women in the Fields by PierreAuguste Renoir, 1919

Nature morte au crâne, by Paul Cézanne, 1896-98

Le bonheur de vivre (detail), by Henri Matisse, 1906

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Tale of Shuten Doji

The 14th-century Japanese legend about warrior Raik’s conquest of a terrifying, flesh-eating ogre is recounted in The Tale of Shuten Doji. During the Edo period (ca. 1600 –1868) the story’s popularity inspired many painted scrolls, folding screens, wood-block prints, and other media.

The tale may appear to be a typical retelling of warrior heroes battling savage demons, but a closer look reveals a more complex picture of socially marginalized groups and notions of otherness. Art historian Yui Suzuki focuses on illustrations that convey the story’s conventional and cryptic meanings.

Tues., March 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-246; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

The History of Western Architecture

Tracing the history of Western architecture is like looking back at a long trail of footprints in the sand. Each step marks a particular moment of the journey, just as architectural movements and styles mark distinct moments in Western history. By examining four distinct historical periods in Western architecture, art historian Rocky Ruggiero traces the development of architectural styles, traditions, trends, and forms beginning in the ancient world and continuing through to the present day.

MAR 21 The Ancient World

MAR 28 The Medieval World

APR 4 The Early Modern and Baroque Worlds

APR 11 The Modern World

4 sessions: Tues., March 21–April 11, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-248; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Thomas Gainsborough: Beyond the Blue Boy

British artist Thomas Gainsborough (1727–1788) was widely known and admired for his fluid handling of paint in his portraits and landscapes. He and rival Joshua Reynolds dominated portrait painting in the 1770s and 1780s.

The largely self-taught, witty, convivial Gainsborough’s patrons included musicians, actresses, artists, the aristocracy, and members of the royal family. He became famous in the United States when one of the Gilded Age’s notoriously wealthy robber barons purchased the iconic Blue Boy (1770).

Art historian Bonita Billman examines Gainsborough’s career and his influence on painting.

Thurs., March 23, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-252; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Keep Connected with Smithsonian eAlerts!

Subscribe now to our topic-based eAlerts to match your interests. You can look forward to receiving timely information about new programs, special Smithsonian offers, our curated Digital Digest newsletter, and much more to spark your imagination and inspire learning. Explore a whole world of subjects—from art and architecture to history, culinary arts to science, travel to literature, and so much more!

Simply sign up at SmithsonianAssociates.org/eAlerts and you’re set.

Privacy Policy: We do not rent or sell our e-mail addresses.

HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, SAN MARINO, CALIFORNIA

The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough, 1770

Athenian Treasury at ancient Delphi

La Salve Bridge over the Nervion River, Bilbao, Spain

The Tale of Shuten Doji, Edo period

FREER GALLERY

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

Ancient Egypt Through its Art and Architecture

The Great Sphinx monument (1397–1388 B.C.) and a pyramid at Giza

The secret to understanding the daily life and culture of ancient Egypt under its great rulers and pharaohs is right before our eyes—in its art and architecture. Examinations of these vast treasures reveal how they influenced Egyptian cultural identity and how religion shaped artistic production.

Using evidence from the most recent archaeological discoveries, Egypt specialist Jacquelyn Williamson surveys the social and historical realities of this civilization from its early pyramids through its art created under King Akhenaten, who upended centuries of tradition to create new artistic conventions.

9:30 a.m. Understanding Egyptian Art: The Origins of an Artistic Tradition 11 a.m. Wonder and Majesty: The Art of the 4th Dynasty 12:15 p.m. Break 1:15 p.m. The Elegance of Discord and the Beauty of Empire 2:45 p.m. The Art of Heresy: Akhenaten and Nefertiti

Sat., March 11, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2240; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Spring’s Awakening

A Reflective Writing Workshop

Discover the power of reflective writing guided by the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, Mary Hall Surface. Inspired by works of art by Vincent van Gogh and poetry by Mary Oliver, explore the lessons that the season of spring offers us when we slow down, look closely, and reflect.

Designed for writers of all levels, the workshop invites you to look outward at paintings and poetry and to look inward through writing. These reflections can become creative fertile ground for memoir, poetry, and more. The workshop has a limited enrollment to maximize interaction among the instructor and students.

Tues., April 4, 10 a.m.; CODE 1K0-356; Members $40; Nonmembers $45

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit Art and Fiction

A picture is not only worth a thousand words: It can sometimes inspire a whole invented world. Independent art historian Heidi Applegate explores the art and artists behind three works of historical fiction. Gain new perspectives on Renaissance portraiture; Dutch still lifes, genre painting, and a cabinet house; and the Frick Collection in New York City by delving into the novels, followed by Applegate’s examination of the factual background along with the fiction.

APR 7 Maggie O’Farrell, The Marriage Portrait, 2022

MAY 12 Jessie Burton, The Miniaturist, 2014 JUN 16 Fiona Davis, The Magnolia Palace, 2022

3 sessions: Fri., April 7, May 12, June 16, 12-1:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-762; Members $60; Nonmembers $65

Almond Blossom by Vincent van Gogh, 1890

Egyptian goddess Maat, 664–332 B.C.

WALTERS ART GALLERY

Lucrezia de' Medici by Bronzino or Alessandro Allori, ca. 1560

Petronella Oortman's doll house at the Rijksmuseum

The Frick Collection

Art Crimes: Iconic International Art Heists

Is the case ever really closed?

Join one of the most famous art detectives in the world to hear tales from the trenches of the most notorious art heists in modern history.

Expert on art fraud, awardwinning author, and former FBI agent Robert Wittman provides an up-close vantage point for the engrossing reconnaissance strategies behind the cases he worked on personally or followed as the FBI’s art-crime specialist—collaborating with agencies such as Scotland Yard and the Norwegian National Police. He also provides behindthe-scenes insights into cases that remain unsolved today.

Wed., Feb. 1, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-330; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Art Crimes: Stolen Secrets of the Third

Reich

Expert on art fraud, author, and former FBI agent Robert Wittman draws from his book The Devil’s Diary: Alfred Rosenberg and the Stolen Secrets of the Third Reich to recount his 2013 recovery of the long-lost private diary of the Nazi Party’s chief ideologue, who laid the philosophical foundations for the Holocaust. Rosenberg’s diary had been lost for more than 60 years and its long-hidden contents offer first-person insights into the Nazi rise to power, the genesis of the Final Solution, and Germany’s brutal occupation of the Soviet Union.

Wed., April 12, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-351; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

Introduction to American Art

From the glorious vistas of landscape painting to the bold splashes and strokes of Abstract Expressionism, American artists have captured the nation’s enormous energy and tumultuous growth. Art historian Bonita Billman introduces major artists and movements in American painting from the late 18th century to the present, revealing the connections between historical changes and artistic choices.

APR 13 Early American Art

APR 20 Landscape Painting

APR 27 Realism and Impressionism

MAY 4 Early Modernism

MAY 11 Modern and Contemporary Art

5 sessions: Thurs., April 13–May 11, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2253; Members $85; Nonmembers $95

What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A

House by the Railroad by Edward Hopper, 1925

Niagara by Frederic Edwin Church, 1857

The Scream by Edvard Munch; stolen and recovered in 1994

Rosenberg diary

J.M.W. Turner and the Art of the Sublime

British artist J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851) is known for innovative landscape paintings that captured nature’s power and drama. His radical techniques allowed him to create unprecedented imagery that still appears modern today.

Art historian Tim Barringer places a selection of Turner’s works in historical context. He reveals how Turner’s art reflected his belief in “the sublime,” an artistic theory that contrasted the power of nature with the fragile condition of mankind, and how in paintings such as Rain, Steam and Speed (1844) he evoked the drastic transformations caused by the Industrial Revolution.

Thurs., March 30, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-759; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Artists and Friends in the World of Manet

Cézanne and Pissarro, Van Gogh and Lautrec

The lone artist, wrestling with their genius and isolated by their obsession with work, is a popular stereotype. But it’s often through their close friendships with other artists that great creative leaps are made. When thinking of great painters who painted Provence, two names jump to mind: Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne. But before they created their celebrated works there, these outsiders had profound experiences and friendships in Paris that would alter their artistic paths.

Popular Smithsonian Associates speaker Paul Glenshaw examines two such relationships: Paul Cézanne’s friendship with Camille Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh’s with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in the vibrant avant-garde art scene pioneered by Édouard Manet.

APR 13 Paris and Manet

APR 20 Curious Kindreds: Cézanne and Pissarro

APR 27 Curious Kindreds: van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec

3 sessions: Thurs., April 13–27, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-362; Members $60; Nonmembers $70

Write Into Art

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. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for three online workshops that 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. Each workshop has a limited enrollment to maximize interaction among the instructor and students.

APR 18 Capture Sensation

APR 25 Unveil Stories

MAY 2 Explore Place

3 sessions: Tues., April 18, 25, and May 2, 10–11:30 a.m.; CODE 1K0-352; Members $105; Nonmembers $115

Individual sessions: Tues., April 18 (CODE 1K0-353); Tues., April 25 (CODE 1K0-354); Tues., May 2 (CODE 1K0-355); 10-11:30 a.m.; Members $40; Nonmembers $45

Portrait of Vincent van Gogh by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1887

Entrance to the Grand Canal from the Molo, by Canaletto 1742/1744

Rain, Steam and Speed–The Great Western Railway by J.M.W. Turner, 1844

ART

ART SCI ENCE STUDIO ARTS

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Three Masterpieces of Etruscan Art

The Etruscans hold a reputation for mystery, but we do know a lot about them and their remarkable contributions to the history of art. Art historian and author Laura Morelli explores what makes Etruscan culture unique in the Mediterranean world.

She spotlights three Etruscan masterworks excavated from tombs in central Italy; examines how the Etruscans adorned the places where they planned to spend eternity; and describes the incredible luxury objects they took with them. She discusses the hallmarks of Etruscan visual art and why Etruscan archaeology is a vibrant field of study today.

Tues., April 18, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1H0-763; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Etruscan fresco (detail) of a musician from the Tomb of the Triclinium in the Necropolis of Monterozzi

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Isabella Stewart Gardner: A Global Vision of Art

Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840–1924) assembled an extraordinary collection of art from diverse cultures and eras—and built a Venetian-style palazzo in Boston to share her exquisite treasures with the world.

Diana Seave Greenwald, assistant curator of the collection at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, shines new light on Gardner. As one of the authors of Isabella Stewart Gardner: A Life, Greenwald provides a multifaceted portrait of a trailblazing patron and collector—from Italian Renaissance paintings to Chinese antiquities—who created a museum unprecedented in its curatorial vision.

Tues., April 25, 6:45 p.m., CODE 1L0-510; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

20th-Century Oceanic Art

Ten thousand islands dot the Pacific Ocean, a vast expanse of water that covers one-third of the Earth’s surface. For over 40,000 years, people have lived and traveled among these islands, establishing thriving and interconnected states and societies, and creating artworks that express the excitement and vitality of their lives.

Art historian Kevin Tervala surveys the artistic practice across 20th-century Oceania, examining the ways that European colonization and decolonization, the Pacific theater of World War II, and the increasingly globalized nature of the economy transformed the work that artists did and the forms that they produced.

Art

Tues., April 25, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-012; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

Isabella Stewart Gardner (detail) by John Singer Sargent, 1888

Canoe splashboard, Trobriand Islands, Honolulu Museum of

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo: Contrasts in Greatness

Leonardo and Michelangelo: These towering geniuses grew up in the same city, shared patrons, and also shared an intense dislike for each other. But their fraught relationship was fueled by a secret mutual fascination and a fierce competition that spurred them to new levels of artistic achievement.

Art historian Nigel McGilchrist depicts the two artists as perfectionists and brilliant craftsmen of radically different kinds who revolutionized the received methods of painting and sculpting.

10 a.m. The Consequences of Competition

11:30 a.m. Techniques and Conservation

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. Obsessions and Recurring Themes

2:45 p.m. Writings, Dreams, and Nightmares

Sat., May 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-260; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Art of Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Outdoors, Outsized, and Out of the Ordinary

From their New York City apartment, Christo Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon initiated some of the most enigmatic, ephemeral, and beautiful works of public art ever created around the world. Each used acres of colorful fabric to cover an entire building, line a path, or surround islands—on display for no more than two weeks.

Art historian Nancy G. Heller analyzes the couple’s most important projects and explains their significance in the history of contemporary art.

Wed., May 24, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-262; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Support what we do at Smithsonian Associates

For more than half a century, education has been at the very heart of what we do at Smithsonian Associates.We open the doors of the Smithsonian’s vast knowledge resources to people of all ages.

Please help us continue to carry out our educational mission by making a charitable contribution today. Your help is essential because, unlike the museums, Smithsonian Associates is not federally funded and relies entirely on donations and membership support to bridge the gap between program expenses and ticket revenue.

Demonstrate your support today. The returns will exceed your expectations.

SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels

L'Arc de Triomphe, wrapped by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, 2021

Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo

n n n n IN PERSON

ART SCI ENCE

STUDIO ARTS

STUDIO ARTS

Current CDC and Smithsonian Covid-19 guidelines will be followed for in-person classes, which could include self-health checks and social distancing. Please see SmithsonianAssociates.org for details.

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.

DRAWING n n n n

Beginning Drawing

This course, a valuable introduction for beginners, teaches the basic skills needed as 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., April 18–June 6, 10:30 a.m.; George Tkabladze; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0RQ; Members $255; Nonmembers $285

Drawing in Museums

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Popular theory holds that the right brain is primarily responsible for the intuitive understanding of visual and spatial relationships. This class improves the way people see and record objects on paper by working through a set of visual exercises that help build the ability to draw.

IN PERSON: Wed., April 19–June 7, 2:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0RR; Members $235; Nonmembers $265

Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery

Spend Saturday afternoons developing your rendering and composition skills, and learn the art of copying by drawing paintings and classical sculptures displayed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery.

IN PERSON: Sat., May 6–June 17, 1:30 p.m. (no class May 27); Paul Glenshaw; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0RU; Members $195; Nonmembers $225

Student work

Beginning Oil Painting

PAINTING n n n n

NEW CLASS

Lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on experimentation introduce the medium of oils. Working from museum masterpieces, still-life arrangements, or your own favorite photos, explore basic painting techniques, including color-mixing, scumbling, and glazing. to gain the technical background and experience you need to get started as a painter.

IN PERSON: Wed., April 19June 7, 6:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V00SC; Members $265; Nonmembers $295

Introduction to Indirect Oil Painting

Cézanne-inspired Still Life Compositions

The vibrant medium of oils was a favorite of impressionist artist because of its luminosity and color layering effects. Working from stilllife arrangements reminiscent of Cézanne’s in-studio sessions, learn to achieve the brilliant and subtle effects characteristic of the medium.

IN PERSON: Sun., April 23–May 7, 11 a.m.; Sandra Gobar; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0SE; Members $185; Nonmembers $205

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit

Still Life with Apples and Peaches by Paul Cézanne, 1905

n n n n

NEW CLASS

The Figure in Painting and Collage

Combine traditional acrylic painting techniques with collage to produce figurative pieces with texture and depth. Experiment with collaging into painted surfaces, as well as painting on collaged surfaces to develop abstract likenesses. Learn simple methods of drawing features.

IN PERSON: Sat., Feb. 18–March 25 (no class March 11), 1 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0QN; Members $205; Nonmembers $235

n n n n

OTHER MEDIA

By Sharon Robinson

n n n n

STUDIO ARTS

STUDIO ARTS

PERSON MIXED-MEDIA

FIBER ARTS

Knitting for Beginners

Learning the Basics

Have you marveled at beautiful hand-knit garments, wishing that you could create one? Learn the fundamentals of knitting, including casting on, basic knit and purl stitches, increasing, decreasing, and binding off. Practice basic skills and start an optional knitting project during class.

IN

By Bonnie Fitzgerald

Mosaic Jewelry

Learn to create mosaic jewelry in this daylong workshop. Topics include jewelry-base selection, adhesive choice, and suitable tesserae. Gain experience in precision cutting, artistic laying techniques, and working on a small scale as you create two silverplate mosaic pendants.

IN PERSON: Sat., March 11, 10:30 a.m.; Bonnie Fitzgerald; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0RD; Members $85; Nonmembers $95

An Orchid Afternoon:

Intermediate Orchid Care

Enjoy a fun, relaxing afternoon learning about orchid care. The advanced class culminates with an orchid mounting activity using materials supplied in class. Students may also bring in their own orchids for a question-and-answer session.

IN PERSON: Sat., March 25, 2 p.m.; Barb Schmidt; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0RE; Members $90; Nonmembers $100

Phalaenopsis orchid

IN PERSON: Tues., Feb. 7–March 14, 6:30 p.m.; Ann Richards; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0PQ; Members $155; Nonmembers $185

Freestyle Embroidery Basics

By Heather Kerley

In this workshop, beginners are introduced to surface freestyle hand embroidery. In this style, the stitches are applied freely, disregarding the weave or structure of the ground cloth. Learn how to select and prepare fabric using a simple design, ready the hoop, and begin stitching.

IN PERSON: Sat., March 18, 11 a.m.; Heather Kerley; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0RC; Members $55; Nonmembers $65

NEW CLASS

Explore the Smithsonian Collection: Knitting

Explore knitted objects from the Natural History Museum’s collection. Learn about the techniques, traditions, and tales connected to hand-knit pieces such as Greenlandic doublethumbed mittens and scarves made from Alaskan musk ox wool.

IN PERSON: Fri., March 10, 1 p.m.; Ann Richards; details and supply list on website; Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD; CODE 1V0-0RN; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Knitted dolls, Natural History Museum

SCULPTURE n n n n IN PERSON

Figure Sculpture

Students examine the materials and processes for sculpting a portrait, torso, or full figure using a live model. They learn clay sculpture techniques focused on tool use, armatures, anatomy, and proportions and have the opportunity to explore their own individual styles.

IN PERSON: Tues., April 18–June 6, 6:30 p.m.; George Tkabladze; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0SS; Members $285; Nonmembers $315

Clay Portrait

By George Tkabladze

PHOTOGRAPHY n n n n

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. Critiques of assignments enhance the technical skills you learn.

Develop basic sculpting skills in this introduction to the concepts and techniques of sculpting the human head. Create copies of a plaster cast portrait or sculpt from a live model. Hands-on practice helps students develop skills in using different techniques and tools and understanding proportion and problem-solving.

IN PERSON: Tues., April 18–June 6, 2 p.m.; George Tkabladze; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0SR; Members $285; Nonmembers $315

By George Tkabladze

By Andargé Asfaw

IN PERSON: Tues., April 18–June 6, 6:30 p.m.; Andargé Asfaw; details on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0SX; Members $225; Nonmembers $255

Introduction to Photography II

By Andargé Asfaw

This course is ideal for students who are interested in expanding their understanding of photography fundamentals. Sessions focus on lighting, composition, shooting techniques, gear, and photoediting software.

IN PERSON: Wed., April 19–June 7, 6:30 p.m.; Andargé Asfaw; details on website; CODE 1V0-0SZ; Members $225; Nonmembers $255

On-Location Photography

Capture images of Washington, D.C., as you sharpen your way of thinking about shooting outdoors. Emphasis is placed on what happens before the shutter release is pressed and on truly previsualizing the photograph. Sessions include lectures, Metro-accessible field trips, loosely structured assignments, and critique sessions in which students develop outdoor-shooting strategies.

IN PERSON: Sun., April 30–June 11 (no class May 28), 1:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0TE; Members $195; Nonmembers $225

By Joe Yablonsky

ART SCI ENCE

n n n n ONLINE

STUDIO ARTS

STUDIO ARTS

TOURS

Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.

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

n n n n

World

ART THEORY AND PRACTICE

Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit

Composition

Composition is one of the most important elements of any artwork. Examine fundamental concepts of composition and their practical application in studio-art practice. Develop tools to enrich your own work as well to analyze and appreciate visual art in general. Create several collages based on artworks and themes discussed in class.

TWO ONLINE OPTIONS: Mon., Feb. 27–March 20 (CODE 1V00PV); Mon., May 1–22 (CODE 1V0-0RX); Shahin Talishkhan; 10:30 a.m.; details and supply list on website; Members $155; Nonmembers $175

Curating a Life: Art as Memoir

Visual Journaling: Creativity Intensive

Strengthen your creative journaling muscles in three intensive sessions focused on artistic experimentation. Engage in mark-making and mapping exercises; use a variety of artistic media and techniques; explore modes of visual thinking and working from memory; observation, imagination, narrative, and experimental approaches.

By Renee Sandell

ONLINE: Sat., May 6, May 20, and June 3, 1 p.m.; Renee Sandell; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0RW; Members $185; Nonmembers $205

NEW CLASSES

Seeing More: Visual Fitness Workouts

This unique course is designed to engage your skills in decoding (reading) and encoding (creating) visual meaning. Explore selected works from the Smithsonian’s and other collections to find images that inspire hands-on exercises for building visual thinking skills: drawing, painting, and mixed-media; sketchbook journaling; and finally, creating a “memoir museum” of past experiences—and those yet to explore.

By Renee Sandell

Engage creativity and boost insight in hands-on and interactive art “workouts” that strengthen artistic muscles by decoding (reading) and encoding (expressing) visual meaning. Create a personal set of expressive visual pages.

ONLINE: Thurs., Feb. 16–March 9, 1:30 p.m.; Renee Sandell; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0QU; Members $185; Nonmembers $205

Creating a Sustainable Arts Practice

By Renee Sandell

ONLINE: Mon., April 17–May 22, 1:30 p.m.; Renee Sandell; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0RV; Members $225; Nonmembers $255

Art can inspire us in so many ways, but is it possible to have an eco-friendly creative practice? Through instructor-led discussion and hands-on exercises, explore the possibilities for creating work that is sustainable in every sense of the word.

ONLINE: Thurs., March 9 and 16, 6:30 p.m.; Heidi Rugg; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0RM; Members $75; Nonmembers $95

By Heidi Rugg

Moroccan Café by Matisse, 1913

DRAWING n n n n

Children’s Book Illustration

STUDIO ARTS

World Art History Certificate elective:

Earn 1/2 credit

Drawing Light…and How the Masters Did It

Learn the strategies artists such as Rembrandt, Cézanne, Turner, and Degas used to harness light in order to give their images dimension. In-class exercises focus on using graphite, ink, and pastel to draw studies of masterworks.

By Lori VanKirk Schue

Creating illustrations for a children’s manuscript is loads of fun once you get to know the basics. Learn the foundations of interpreting a story through pictures; fitting illustrations to the storyline; transforming reality into whimsy; and understanding an author’s vision for the story and its characters.

ONLINE: Thurs., March 9 and 16, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0QT; Members $95; Nonmembers $115

Introduction to Afghan Geometric Design

For centuries, religious and secular Islamic manuscripts have contained beautiful geometric decorations. Explore the history and construction of these traditional designs and create designs with graph paper and a compass.

By Sughra Hussainy

ONLINE: Sun., April 16–May 21, 1 p.m.; Sughra Hussainy; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0RP; Members $195; Nonmembers $225

Beginning Drawing

This course, a valuable introduction for beginners, teaches the basic skills needed as a strong foundationfor 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, April 23–June 18 (no class May 28), 10:15 a.m.; Josh Highter; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0RS; Members $255; Nonmembers $285

By Nick Cruz Velleman

PAINTING n n n n

NEW CLASSES

ONLINE: Tues., April 25–May 23, 6:30 p.m., Nick Cruz Velleman; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0RT; Members $185; Nonmembers $215

Rustic European Doorways in Watercolor

Old weathered doorways are perfect subjects for a watercolor painting. Learn to capture brick-, stone-, and stucco-covered old walls, textured wooden doors, window dressings, and glass panes. Give your watercolor a painterly look with compelling shapes, lost and found edges, and mingling colors.

SOLD OUT

By Cindy Briggs

ONLINE: Thurs, Feb. 16 and 23, 6:30 p.m.; Cindy Briggs; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0PX; Members $95; Nonmembers $115

Quick-Sketch European Tour: France and Spain

By Cindy Briggs

SOLD OUT

Expand your watercolor skills as you capture scenes from France and Spain on your virtual journey through Europe’s historic cities and rustic landscapes. Use simplified drawing techniques as you create spontaneous works of art. The exercise is great for journaling, studies, and gifts.

ONLINE: Sat., March 11 and 18, 10 a.m.; Cindy Briggs; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0QV; Members $155; Nonmembers $175

By Josh Highter

Introduction to Watercolor

Beginning students as well as experienced painters explore new materials and techniques in watercolor painting. Working on still-lifes and landscapes from direct observation or photographs, they learn about basic watercolor techniques and new approaches to painting through demonstration, discussion, and experimentation.

TWO ONLINE OPTIONS: Mon., April 17–June 12 (no class May 29), 6:30 p.m.; Josh Highter; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0RZ; Members $245; Nonmembers $275

Botanicals in Watercolor I

In this introduction to the processes and techniques of drawing and painting flora, discover the versatility and fluidity of watercolor. Step-by-step instructions in watercolor are given, along with practical demonstrations and exercises aimed at the development of observational skills.

ONLINE: Tues., April 18–June 6, 10:30 a.m.; Lubna Zahid; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V00SA; Members $265; Nonmembers $295

By David Daniels

Thurs., May 25–June 22, 1 p.m.; David Daniels; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0TF; Members $175; Nonmembers $205

Portrait Painting in Oil and Acrylic

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 photographic source

ONLINE: Wed., April 12–May 17, 7 p.m.; Eric Westbrook; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0RY; Members $205; Nonmembers $235

By Lubna Zahid

Botanicals in Watercolor II

Build on your botanical painting skills as you create vibrant watercolors inspired by nature. Learn to focus on the texture and detail of botanical subjects including flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Step-by-step instructions in watercolor are given, along with practical demonstrations. Some basic watercolor experience is required.

By Lubna Zahid

By Eric Westbrook

Principles of Abstraction

Discover the basic elements of abstraction such as color, line, and shape and learn how to organize abstract pictorial fields. Create exciting and innovative works of art using different techniques and materials—and learn how we are influenced by the interplay of the visual elements.

ONLINE: Thurs., April 20–June 8, 6:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0SD; Members $265; Nonmembers $295

By Shahin Talishkhan

ONLINE: Tues., April 18–June 6, 5 p.m.; Lubna Zahid; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0SB; Members $265; Nonmembers $295

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

MIXED-MEDIA n n n n

Accordion Book Structures

Create two finished accordion books that can be used as blank canvases for drawings, mixed media work, collage, or as a model for a more complex, printedbook edition. They are ideal for displaying artworks.

NEW CLASSES

By Katie Platte

ONLINE: Sat., Feb. 25, 10 a.m.; Katie Platte; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0PZ; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

The Art of Paste Painting

Create beautiful decorative papers that can be used in books, collage, cards, and more with paste painting, which uses mark-making tools to manipulate pigmented paste. Begin creating on a large, flat surface. Be precise with graining tools and specific patterns—or enjoy the wonder of freeform color mixing.

By Lorrie Grainger Abdo

ONLINE: Thurs., Feb. 23, 6 p.m.; Lorrie Grainger Abdo; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0QP; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

Exploring Abstraction

Explore the basis of abstraction by studying color, line, and shape as they relate to composition. Learn to create exciting and innovative works of art, using a series of drawing and painting exercises designed to examine non-traditional ways of handling traditional materials and subject matter.

ONLINE: Thurs., April 13–June 1, 12 p.m.; Delna Dastur; CODE 1V0-0SF; Members $255; Nonmembers $285

By Delna Dastur

STUDIO ARTS

By Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

STUDIO ARTS

Mixed-Media Art Warmups

Art warmups can be students’ starting point for a new artwork or an opportunity to explore new materials and techniques. Students work with positive and negative space, make quick sketches, go beyond the color wheel, and use mixed-media techniques to build layers and texture.

ONLINE: Fri., March 3–17, 1 p.m.; Marcie Wolf-Hubbard; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0RL; Members $165; Nonmembers $185

Newsprint Collage (Continued)

Students who completed the Newsprint Collage Workshop now have the opportunity to further develop their collage practice. Experimenting with materials, students continue to explore and express through collage their ideas about current and world affairs. Instruction is tailored to the individual student in a class that fosters lively discussion and supportive feedback.

By Kate Lewis

ONLINE: Tues., March 7–21, 10:30 a.m.; Kate Lewis; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0QX; Members $175; Nonmembers $195

Handmade Cards: Hello Friend

Don’t be caught at the last minute looking for the right card for family members and friends. Create simply elegant greeting cards while learning tips and techniques of card making including card construction, sentiments, foreground, background, and embellishments.

ONLINE: Sat., March 18, 10 a.m.; Karen Cadogan; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0QY; Members $75; Nonmembers $85

By Karen Cadogan

Artful Mind, Tranquil Mind

Centering practices used by artists to prepare for making art can be helpful in everyday life. Through guided instruction designed to enhance your own artmaking, explore mark-making with lines, swirls, and puddles, and use paper to experiment with folding and tearing.

ONLINE: Mon., April 17–May 22, 12 p.m.; Sushmita Mazumdar; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0SG; Members $95; Nonmembers $125

By Sushmita Mazumdar

Collage and Mixed-Media: Animals and Nature

With an emphasis on imagery from the natural world, learn to sketch animals and objects found in nature, then combine your drawings with painting and additional elements and textures to create whimsical or serious mixed-media art.

STUDIO ARTS

Gyotaku: The Japanese Art of Printing with Fish

Using direct printing and waterbased printing inks, create realistic looking schools of fish or a single artistic print simply by inking a whole fish and pressing it to paper. Create several 12-by18-inch gyotaku. Learn how to paint realistic fish-eyes to bring your print to life and cut masks to create realistic compositions.

By Sue Fierston

ONLINE: Sat., April 22, 10 a.m.; Sue Fierston; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0SK; Members $75; Nonmembers $85

Fabric Printing Using Natural Materials

Experiment with hand-printing on fabrics using colorful Akua waterbased printmaking ink and natural materials. Practice printmaking techniques on muslin and cotton or cotton-blend fabric.

By Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

ONLINE: Wed., April 19–June 7, 1:30 p.m.; Marcie WolfHubbard; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0SH; Members $245; Nonmembers $275

Collage and Mixed-Media

Collage is a highly versatile and accessible art technique that results in the playful combination of different and sometimes unlikely materials. Get an introduction to the materials, tools, and technologies used in collage and assemblage. Find inspiration in artists who worked in collage including Joseph Cornell, Romare Bearden, and Gertrude Greene. Then, develop your own collage, mixed-media, or assemblage projects.

By Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

ONLINE: Wed., April 19–June 7, 6:30 p.m.; Marcie WolfHubbard; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0SJ; Members $245; Nonmembers $275

n

ONLINE: Sat., April 29, 10 a.m.; Sue Fierston; details and supply list on website; Members $55; Nonmembers $65

FIBER ARTS n n n

The Language of Textiles

From high fashion to traditional folk art, textiles have a language of their own. Students learn how to express their own designer’s voice through textile designs. Topics covered include translating a concept into a creation, working with pre-existing (upcycled) textiles to create new designs, and treating textiles as sculpture via pleating and folding techniques.

By Kate Lewis

ONLINE: Mon., Feb. 27–March 13, 10:30 a.m.; Kate Lewis; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0QB; Members $175; Nonmembers $195

Student work

NEW CLASSES

Take a Break to Knit: Strip Knitting

Learn the versatile strip-knitting technique and create portable projects of all sizes. Knit single and halfskeins into large, beautiful pieces and easily collaborate with other knitters on gifts and special projects. Explore techniques, proportions, colorways, and stitch patterns.

ONLINE: Fri., Feb. 3–24, 12:30 p.m.; Ann Richards; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0QA; Members $85; Nonmembers $105

Weaving Plaid on the Rigid Heddle Loom

Learn to warp the ridged heddle loom for a plaid design and create a woven structure with a repeating sequence. Explore weaving and experiment with a variety of techniques while creating a scarf or table runner.

By Tea Okropiridze

ONLINE: Tues., March 7–21, 6 p.m.; Tea Okropiridze; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0RA; Members $105; Nonmembers $125

Introduction to Bobbin Lace

Handmade bobbin lace has been around since the 16th century. All bobbin lace is made with two moves, with four bobbins at a time. Learn the basics of the craft, from winding the bobbins to making four small lace projects, in this introductory class.

TWO ONLINE OPTIONS: Wed., March 1–22, 12 p.m.; (CODE 1V00QC); Thurs., April 27–May 18, (CODE 1V0-0TG); Karen Thompson; details and supply list on website; Members $205; Nonmembers $225

By Karen Thompson

STUDIO ARTS

STUDIO ARTS

When Good Patterns Go Bad

Avoiding and Fixing Knitting Mistakes

Learn how to detect knitting errors sooner and how to fix them. From dropped stitches to difficult pattern instructions to twisted stitches and more, learn a protocol to follow when you’re stuck on a knitting project.

ONLINE: Sun. March 5, 1 p.m.; Ann Richards; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0QD; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Mind and Body Centering Through Art

By Lauren Kingsland

Feeling balanced contributes to our sense of well-being and promotes resilience in the face of life’s challenges. Centering art practices can be an effective tool in helping to restore this sense of equilibrium. Learn how to create calming geometric designs and how to use them for contemplation and relaxation practices.

ONLINE: Wed., March 1-22, 1:30 p.m.; Lauren Kingsland: details and supply list on website: CODE 1V0-0QZ; Members $85; Nonmembers $105

Color Theory for Embroidery Artists

Find your personal sense of color confidence while learning to apply color to embroidery. Learn color-theory vocabulary through exercises and embroidery hoop experiments. Extract palettes from found images and translate them into stitched creations.

By Heather Kerley

ONLINE: Thurs., March 9–23, 12:30 p.m.; Heather Kerley; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0RB; Members $75; Nonmembers $95

STUDIO ARTS

Felted Jewelry

Explore the creative possibilities of combining wool with other decorative elements such as metal, beads, and stones to make distinctive necklaces, rings, pendants, earrings, and other jewelry.

ONLINE: Fri., March 10–24; 1 p.m.; Renate MaileMoskowitz; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0SM; Members $145; Nonmembers $165

By Renate Maile–Moskowitz

Tapestry Weaving

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; creating stripes and irregular shapes; and shading and contour.

ONLINE: Thurs., April 20–June 8, 10:30 a.m.; Tea Okropiridze; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0SN; Members $225; Nonmembers $255

By Tea Okropiridze

Written in Fabric Memory Messages Through Quilts

Preserve precious memories for future generations and express current feelings and emotions through memory quilts. Learn hand piecing, machine and hand appliqué, managing repurposed fabrics, freestyle embroidery, and creating text using needle and thread.

By Lauren Kingsland

ONLINE: Wed., April 26–June 14, 1 p.m.; Lauren Kingsland and Heather Kerley; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V00SP; Members $245; Nonmembers $275

CALLIGRAPHY n n n n

Introduction to Pointed-Pen Calligraphy

Learn how to use the elegant Copperplate script and take your personal correspondence to a whole new level. Sessions focus on basic tools and mechanics; working with color; and using this hand in different sizes and in various applications. No prior calligraphy experience is needed.

ONLINE: Sat., April 22–June 17 (no class May 27), 1:30 p.m.; Sharmila Karamchandani; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0SQ; Members $235; Nonmembers $265

OTHER MEDIA n n n n

Orchids for Beginners

SOLD OUT

Phalaenopsis schilleriana

Join an orchid care expert for a fun, informative afternoon about America’s favorite household plant. Learn about the origins of our love for orchids, how they grow in their native environments, and pick up beginner care instructions to keep your orchids blooming at home. In a hands-on activity, repot a Phalaenopsis orchid, which is easy to raise indoors.

ONLINE: Sat., Feb. 18, 2 p.m.; Barb Schmidt; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0PB; Members $35; Nonmembers $45

Wirework Intensive: Creative Chains

A beautifully crafted chain can adorn a handmade pendant or be worn alone as a unique and expressive piece of jewelry. Learn to create three different chain designs using wire-working, forming, and texturing. Wire fusing is also demonstrated and instructions for a complementary clasp are included.

By Mïa Vollkommer

ONLINE: Sat., April 29–May 13, 12 p.m.; Mïa Vollkommer; details and supply list on website; CODE 1K0-0SU; Members $195; Nonmembers $215

The Art of Floral Design

By Arrin Sutliff

Explore the spectrum of floral design in this class that covers such practical areas as sourcing (with a focus on sustainability), making the most of seasonal flowers, creating centerpieces, wiring techniques, and photographing your work.

TWO ONLINE OPTIONS: Wed., Feb. 8–March 15 (CODE 1V0-0PA); Wed., April 26–May 31 (CODE 1V0-0ST); Arrin Sutliff; 7:30 p.m.; details and supply list on website; Members $155; Nonmembers $185

STUDIO ARTS

STUDIO ARTS

PHOTOGRAPHY: Beginner n n n n

Introduction to Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is a useful program for organizing and editing either RAW or JPEG image files. The workshop offers users an overview of Lightroom, with a focus on working with the Library and Develop modules. Functions such as importing, exporting, deleting, and grouping files; sorting and ranking files for quality; and attaching keywords for easy retrieval are covered.

By Eliot Cohen

TWO ONLINE OPTIONS: Sat., Feb. 18 and Sun., Feb. 19 (CODE 1V0-0QK); Sat., April 22 and Sun., April 23 (CODE 1V0-0TC); Eliot Cohen; 9:30 a.m.; details on website; Members $275; Nonmembers $295

Understanding Your Digital Mirrorless or SLR Camera

Learn how digital SLRs or mirrorless cameras can help you achieve better picture quality and control. Sessions cover ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and depth of field; raw vs. jpeg files; and white balance and auto focus modes. Several photos can be uploaded before the second session, which features suggestions for possible improvement.

ONLINE: Wed., April 12–26, 1 p.m.; Eliot Cohen; details on website; CODE 1V0-0SV; Members $255; Nonmembers $275

By Eliot Cohen

NEW CLASS

Introduction to iPhone Photography

iPhone cameras are continually improving and replacing point-and-shoot cameras with convenient and easier ways to capture, post produce, and share images. Learn how to use a well-designed secondary camera app to further improve the basic iPhone’s camera.

By Peggy Feerick

ONLINE: Sat., April 15 and Sun., April 16, 10 a.m.; Peggy Feerick; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0SW; Members $75; Nonmembers $95

Taking Better Photos

Learn to develop your photographic vision and take better photos more consistently. After fostering a more deliberate approach to composition, balance, lighting conditions, and ”keeping it simple,” students see improvement in their photographs of people, landscapes, gardens, architecture, and more.

By Joe Yablonsky

ONLINE: Wed., April 19–May 3, 6:30 p.m., Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0TA; Members $125; Nonmembers $145

n n n n

STUDIO ARTS

STUDIO ARTS

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. Critiques of assignments enhance the technical skills you learn.

By Andargé Asfaw

ONLINE: Wed., April 19–June 7, 10:30 a.m.; Andargé Asfaw; details on website; CODE 1V0-0SY; Members $225; Nonmembers $255

Photo 101

Aspect Ratios

Gain an understanding of aspect ratios (digital sensors and film). The class explores changing the aspect ratio in camera, aspect-ratio constraints in cropping and post-production, and use of the Photoshop image size and canvas size commands. Class discussion explores how aspect ratio affects print sizes and presentation methods (mat board, frames, etc.).

ONLINE: Thurs., April 20, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0TB; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

PHOTOGRAPHY: Experienced

Vision, Craft, Expression: A Photographic Seminar

Learn to effectively combine composition and editing techniques to express your artistic ideas, optimize your camera usage, improve your eye, and develop a thoughtful editing approach. In group discussions, explore ways to communicate the ideas and emotion you want in your photographs.

ONLINE: Mon., Feb. 27–March 20, 7 p.m.; Eliot Cohen; details on website; CODE 1V0-0RF; Members $300; Nonmembers $320

By Eliot Cohen

NEW CLASSES

The Art of Black-andWhite Photography

Learn how to create powerful black-and-white images. Through lecture, demonstration, and work sharing, 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.

SOLD OUT

By Lewis Katz

ONLINE: Mon., Feb. 6–March 6 (no class Feb. 20), 6:30 p.m.; Lewis Katz; details on website; CODE 1V0-0QR; Members $125; Nonmembers $145

Photography Next Steps: The Personal Project

Photographers ready to advance or refine a body of work explore editing and sequencing personal projects through discussion and writing. View the work of other photographers and fellow students. Then, begin creating an effective photographic series.

By Patricia Howard

ONLINE: Sat., March 4–25, 12 p.m.; Patricia Howard; details on website; CODE 1V0-0RJ; Members $135; Nonmembers $155

Photographing Pets and People

Learn to create photo portraits of family, friends—and passersby—and their pets. Draw on tips from photojournalism and street photography as you learn how to use available natural light in your photos. Studio photography topics are not included in this class. Draw on personal interests through homework assignments.

ONLINE: Wed., March 8 and 15, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0RK; Members $90; Nonmembers $110

STUDIO ARTS

STUDIO ARTS

Architecture and Public Art Photography

Learn how to take great photographs of architecture and public art. Class discussions include techniques and camera settings for cityscapes, individual buildings, architectural details, contemporary public art, monuments and memorials, and cemetery statuary.

ONLINE: Thurs., March 2–16, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0RG; Members $125; Nonmembers $145

iPhone Photography II

This workshop provides additional hands-on practice to students who have completed Introduction to iPhone Photography including achieving better exposure (using the ProCamera app), understanding advanced technical methods and terms, and using editing and organization apps.

ONLINE: Sat., March 4 and Sun., March 5, 10 a.m.; Peggy Feerick; details and supply list on website; CODE: 1V0-0RH; Members $75; Nonmembers $95

Mastering Exposure

Develop a greater understanding of the complex relationship among aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Topics include exposure modes, exposure compensation, filter exposure factors, bracketing, metering modes, histograms, the zone system, dynamic range, eliminating camera shake, tripods, and flash concepts. Skills are honed through assignments and in-class review.

By Peggy Feerick

By Joe Yablonsky

ONLINE: Thurs., April 27–May 25, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0TD; Members $185; Nonmembers $215

A New Year of Delightful Destinations

Smithsonian Associates Overnight Tours for 2023

Our study tours are designed for people who want more than just a getaway: They offer one-of-a-kind experiences combined with opportunities to gain new insights into the topics that fascinate you. Whether you’re a fan of history, art, music, nature, or architecture— or simply love exploring new places—these expert-led excursions offer a year’s worth of tempting travels. Several of our most popular tours return to the schedule, offering you another chance to join us on these adventures—before they sell out again!

Note: All tour dates and content are subject to change.

All Eyes on Pittsburgh Sun., Mar. 26–Tues., Mar. 28 (on sale now; see p. 58)

An art-filled three days— highlighted by the 58th Carnegie International exhibition—shows off how the city of smokestacks and steel has been reborn as a cultural capital.

Leader: Richard Selden

By Popular Demand

The Best of Brooklyn Sun., Apr. 16–Mon., Apr. 17 (on sale now; see p. 60)

Brooklyn offers plenty of delights for lovers of art, music, nature, and food. An arts journalist and former Brooklynite introduces you to several of its top attractions.

Leader: Richard Selden

Frank Lloyd Wright: Masterworks in the Midwest Sun., May 21–Thurs., May 25 (on sale now; see p. 61)

This tour for architecture lovers includes Chicago-area visits to Unity Temple and the Robie House, a gem in Wright’s signature Prairie style, and the Wisconsin sites of his estate, Taliesin, and the Jacobs House, the first of the innovative Usonian residences.

Leader: Bill Keene

Tours operate rain or shine. In the case of severe weather, tours may be rescheduled, please call our 24-hour automated hotline at 202-633-8687 for updated tour information prior to your tour.

A Mountain Rail Extravaganza

Fri., June 2–Sun., June 4 (on sale March 1)

Stunning spring vistas, vintage locomotives, and West Virginia history are on the itinerary for a weekend spent riding the Cass Scenic Railroad and other mountain routes.

Leader: Joe Nevin

A Berkshires Summer Sampler

Sun., July 30–Thurs., Aug. 3

The scenic and historic Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts are alive with music, art, and theater. A 5-day tour offers a splendid sampling of cultural attractions in the region.

Leader: Richard Selden

The Neustadt Collection and Queens Museum August 2023

Opulence is the focal point for a weekend in New York with visits to the Queens Museum and the Neustadt—the premier collection of works and archives of Tiffany glass.

Leaders: Elizabeth Lay, Lindsy Parrott

Theodore Roosevelt’s North Dakota Sat., Sept. 16–Wed., Sept. 20 Fly west and experience the wild beauty of the Dakota Territory that shaped young Theodore Roosevelt’s course as a conservationist and naturalist.

Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley

Fall in the Shenandoah October 2023

Celebrate the beauty of Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park as you hike its trails and take in the panoramas from Skyland, your historic lodge nestled along Skyline Drive.

Leader: Keith Tomlinson

The Corning Museum of Glass Wed., Nov. 1–Sat., Nov. 4

This glass-lover’s dream tour offers a true insider’s experience at the renowned museum, including many curator-conducted sessions.

Leader: Bill Keene

Discover Queens Sun., Nov. 12–Mon., Nov. 13

Our series of explorations of New York City’s outer boroughs continues with a visit to the largest of all.

Leader: Richard Selden

Note: All tour dates and content are subject to change.

Travel insurance is advised for overnight and multi-day tours. Travel insurance provides additional coverage against unforeseen incidents that require last-minute cancellations. If you wish to purchase travel insurance, you can do so on your own. Smithsonian Associates does not do this for you. Overnight tours are non-refundable.

DAVID SCHLEGEL

Bus Tour

The Garden Electric

The spark of joy that comes while giving or receiving flowers inspires the theme of this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show, The Garden Electric. Started in 1829 by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the show is the nation’s largest and the world’s longest-running horticultural event.

In addition to showcasing acres of garden displays, the show introduces plant varieties and garden and design concepts and features competitions, gardening presentations, and demonstrations. Led by Sara Do-Zhu, horticulturist at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, step into this world of natural beauty in a day spent at the show.

Mon., March 6, 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD006; Members $180; Nonmembers $230

Bus Tour

Montgomery Meigs in Washington

Beyond the Civil War

Montgomery Meigs is best known as the quartermaster general of the Union Army during the Civil War. Less known, however, is that he also was an engineer, architect, inventor, patron of the arts, and a Smithsonian regent. As such, Meigs left an indelible impression on the face of the capital city, from the dome of the U.S. Capitol to the Smithsonian Arts and Industries building, and more. Explore his legacy during a full day of history and architecture in Washington, D.C., led by history, urban studies, and architecture lecturer Bill Keene.

The tour visits the Arts and Industries Building, the National Building Museum, Battleground National Cemetery, and the Commissary Sergeant’s Quarters at Fort Myer, as well as views other buildings and works by Meigs.

Fri., March 24, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; by bus; CODE 1CD-007; Members $160; Nonmembers $210

All Eyes on Pittsburgh

The centerpiece of this art-filled three-day visit to Pittsburgh—a city of smokestacks and steel reborn as a cultural capital—is the 58th Carnegie International exhibition, held every three to five years at the Carnegie Museum of Art. The latest edition displays the work of more than 30 artists, both rising stars and celebrated figures.

In addition, the tour led by arts journalist Richard Selden visits alternative-art venue the Mattress Factory, the museum devoted to Pittsburgh-born pop-art king Andy Warhol, and the former estate of industrial baron and art collector Henry Clay Frick, an associate of Andrew Carnegie.

The itinerary includes a walking and tasting tour of Pittsburgh’s revived market center, the Strip District; a ride on the 1877 Duquesne Incline cable car to view a panorama of downtown; and lunch at the National Aviary.

Sun., March 26, 8 a.m.–Tues., March 28, 10 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-PIT; Members $1,045; Nonmembers $1,375

58TH CARNEGIE INTERNATIONAL

View of Julian Abraham “Togar” installation from Rijksakademie Open Studios, Amsterdam, 2021 at the 58th Carnegie International

National Building Museum

LASTHIB

MONACK

The Philadelphia Flower Show 2023

SOLD OUT

Walking Tour

Wildflower

Springtime on the Potomac Heritage Trail

Hike at Turkey Run Park

Discover the spring splendors of the Potomac Gorge, a 1,900-acre natural area spanning Maryland and Virginia, and one of the most geologically diverse places on Earth. Hiking north from Turkey Run Park along the Potomac Heritage Trail, trek along one of the most scenic sections of the Potomac River as you admire lush upland forests and floodplains brilliantly decorated by Virginia bluebells. Keep an eye out for great blue herons and other native fauna in the temporary pools and side channels.

Study leader Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a naturalist and author, has spent a year exploring the Potomac Gorge from Great Falls to Theodore Roosevelt Island for an upcoming book, and this trek covers one of her favorite sections of it.

THREE OPTIONS: Tues., April 11 (CODE 1CS-A05 ); Wed., April 12 (CODE 1CS-B05); Thurs., April 13 (CODE 1CS-C05); 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; detailed tour information on website; Members $55; Nonmembers $75

Bus Tour

Doodlebugging Through Delaware

Hop aboard a private charter of an early 20th-century self-propelled railcar called the Doodlebug and take in the spring sights along the historic Wilmington & Western Railroad line. The W&W has been in continuous operation since 1867, stretching at its longest to 20 miles of track along the Red Clay Valley from downtown Wilmington, Delaware, to Landenberg, Pennsylvania.

As you ride, tour leader Joe Nevin, a railroad historian, covers the colorful background of the W&W and offers stories of the once-bustling industrial towns along the branch line. The visit includes a tour of the W&W’s steam locomotive and passenger car shop facilities at Marshalltown, as well as a guided walking tour of a vintage amusement park site at Brandywine Springs. The day concludes with a stop in New Castle to see remnants of the New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad, one of the nation’s first. Lunch is at the Back Burner restaurant in Hockessin, the current end of the line.

Sat., April 15, 7 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-008; Members $200; Nonmembers $250

Tours operate rain or shine. In the case of severe weather, tours may be rescheduled, please call our 24-hour automated hotline at 202-633-8687 for updated tour information prior to your tour.

Wilmington & Western Engine 98 crosses Red Clay Creek near Greenbank Mills and Philips Farm, Delaware

Solidago caesia, a native plant growing wild along the Potomac Heritage Trail

Virginia bluebells, a species native to eastern North America, at Turkey Run Park

2-Day Tour

The Best of Brooklyn

Brooklyn is New York City’s most populous borough and is arguably the most historic and colorful section of the city. Today it’s hipper than ever, filled with intriguing shops and restaurants and a booming cultural scene. On this two-day visit, arts journalist and former Brooklynite Richard Selden introduces you to several of Brooklyn’s top attractions.

The itinerary includes the Brooklyn Museum; a chamber-music performance at the floating venue Bargemusic; and a special look inside the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Bridge, Olmsted and Vaux’s Prospect Park, and other landmarks round out the sites. Stay in a hotel in the heart of Brooklyn and eat like a local with dinner at a charming Italian restaurant in Carroll Gardens and a visit to an authentic Turkish restaurant for lunch.

Sun., April 16, 7 a.m.–Mon., April 17, 9:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-BOB; Members $635; Nonmembers $835

Military History in the Capital Area

Much of America’s military history—both past and present—is connected to the capital area, the backdrop for a day that spotlights three significant sites in a tour led by two staff members of the National Museum of the United States Army, public outreach manager Brent Feito and historian Matt Seelinger

A visit to Mount Vernon, the home of the United States’ first commander in chief, George Washington, sets the stage for examining the early military campaigns of the fledgling nation. The Fort Belvoir–based Museum of the United States Army, one of the newest in the area, gives visitors the opportunity to explore the branch’s 247-year history and its direct influence on American life.

The final stop is the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, for a look at the extensive display of American and international military aircraft, uniforms, and other artifacts and close-up views of holdings such as the Bell AH1F Cobra, a Bell UH-1H Iroquois “Huey,” and a Redstone missile.

Fri., April 21, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; by bus; complete tour information on website; box lunch provided; CODE 1CD-009; Members $160; Nonmembers $210

Bus Tour

Bargemusic, Pier 1, DUMBO waterfront

National Museum of the United States Army

Mount Vernon

Brooklyn Bridge from the DUMBO waterfront

The lake, Prospect Park, Brooklyn

The Shinto shrine at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

5-Day Tour

Frank Lloyd Wright: Masterworks in the Midwest

Frank Lloyd Wright left an indelible signature on the American Midwest: a legacy of buildings that trace the arc of his career as one of the world’s most significant and innovative architects. A 5-day tour led by historian Bill Keene offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for a close-up look at a wide range of Wright’s designs in Illinois and Wisconsin, as well as visits to seminal works by other architects of the early and mid-20th century.

Highlights of the tour are visits to four of the eight Wright masterworks on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Unity Temple, his first religious structure; the Frederick C. Robie House, a gem in Wright’s signature Prairie style; Taliesin, Wright’s home, studio, school, and estate in Wisconsin; and the Herbert and Katherine Jacobs House, his first work of Usonian domestic architecture.

In addition to site visits, an architectural boat tour of Chicago places Wright’s designs in the context of the history-making works by the myriad architects who defined its urban identity. And even the tour’s hotel in Wisconsin has a Wright connection–literally. The Hilton Madison Monona Terrace is linked by skywalk to the waterfront civic center designed by Wright in 1938, a project that took 59 years to become a reality.

Program begins Sun., May 21, 6 p.m., with dinner in Chicago, and ends Thurs., May 25 with an afternoon transfer to the Chicago airport; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1NN-MID; Members $2,295; Nonmembers $2,695

IMPORTANT NOTE: Flights are not included; participants make independent flight arrangements to Chicago. Once the tour has reached its minimum registration, participants will be notified and encouraged to purchase airline tickets. This will occur no later than 60 days prior to the start of the program. Additional information will be sent via email. Participants are advised to purchase trip insurance from a provider of their choice.

Travel insurance is advised for overnight and multi-day tours. Travel insurance provides additional coverage against unforeseen incidents that require last-minute cancellations. If you wish to purchase travel insurance, you can do so on your own. Smithsonian Associates does not do this for you. Overnight tours are nonrefundable.

Highlights of this unique visit designed for architecture lovers

Illinois

• Unity Temple (Oak Park)

• The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (Oak Park)

• Frederick C. Robie House (Chicago)

• The Edith Farnsworth House (Plano; designed by Mies van der Rohe)

• Backstage visit at the Auditorium Theater (Chicago; designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler)

• Architectural boat tour of Chicago

Wisconsin

• SC Johnson Administration Building and Research Tower (Racine)

• Herbert and Katherine Jacobs House (Madison)

• Taliesin and Hillside School (Spring Green)

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Oak Park

Taliesin and Hillside School, Spring Green

Expand Your World: Join Smithsonian Associates

Your Membership Support Will Shape Our Future

Becoming a member of Smithsonian Associates makes you part of the largest museum-based educational program in the world. You’ll be among the first to know about the outstanding programs we bring you every month, and as an insider you’ll have unparalleled access to the Smithsonian’s world of knowledge—and enjoy exclusive benefits.

You might not be aware that unlike the Smithsonian’s museums, Smithsonian Associates is not federally funded. We rely on individual member contributions to help bridge the gap between program expenses and ticket revenues. And that support ensures that Smithsonian Associates can continue to grow and reach even more people—all across the country—with outstanding educational programs.

Please, consider expanding your world by becoming part of ours at: SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels

Membership Levels

Associate ($50) Members-only ticket priority and ticket discounts, free members-only programs, Smithsonian Associates’ monthly program guide, and more.

Champion ($80) All the above and additional benefits: Up to four discounted tickets, priority consideration for waitlisted programs, and more.

Promoter ($100) All the above and additional benefits: The award-winning Smithsonian magazine delivered to you, member discount on limited-edition fine-art prints created for Smithsonian Associates’ Art Collectors Program, and more.

Advocate ($175) All the above and additional benefits: An advance digital copy of the monthly program guide, two complimentary program tickets, and more.

Contributor ($300) All the above and additional benefits: Advance registration for Smithsonian Summer Camp, recognition in the program guide’s annual donor list, and more.

Patron ($600) All the above and additional benefits: Four complimentary tickets to a headliner program, copy of the Smithsonian Annual Report, and more.

Sponsor ($1,000) All the above and additional benefits: Reserved seating at in-person programs, dedicated concierge phone line for inquiries and tickets, and more.

Partner ($2,500) All the above and additional benefits: Invitation for two to attend the prestigious annual Smithsonian Weekend, recognition in the annual report, and more.

Benefactor ($5,000) All the above and additional benefits: Recognition as a sponsor of a selected program, priority seating at all in-person programs, and more.

Bonus: Contributions at the Advocate level and higher include membership in Smithsonian Associates’ Circle of Support.

Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.

Program Planner (New listings in red)

Courses, Performances, and Lectures—Multi-Session

Sun., Feb. 5, 12, and 19

Botanical Gardens: A World Tour 26 Mon., Feb. 6 and Feb. 13

Jamestown: The First 100 Years 2 Mon., Feb. 6 and March 6

The Geology of Western National Parks 26 Mon., Feb. 13, 27, and March 13

Lunchtime with a Curator 35 Tues., Feb. 14–March 7

Evocative Concert Music 19 Wed., Feb. 15, Feb. 22, March 1, March 8, March 15

UNESCO World Heritage Sites 4 Sat., Feb. 25, April 1, and April 29

Saturday series: The Axelrod String Quartet 20 Sun., Feb. 26, April 2, and April 30

Sunday series: The Axelrod String Quartet 20 Tues., Feb. 28–March 28

Understanding Contemporary Art 35 Wed., March 1–22

Exploring Ancient Anatolia 6 Thurs., March 2, March 30, May 4, and June 1

Spring in the South of France ..................................................................6 Tues., March 7–28

What Does It Mean To Live a Good Life? .............................................22

Lectures and Seminars—Single Session

Wed., Feb. 1 Discovering Bordeaux 2 Art Crimes 39

Thurs., Feb. 2 Rick Steves: Eating in Italy 18 Fri., Feb. 3 Three Greatest Paintings in Florence 31 Sat., Feb. 4 Viennese Classics (SCMS) 20 Tues., Feb. 7 The Second Middle Passage ....................................2

Thurs., March 9, 16, and 23

Masterworks at the Barnes Foundation 36 Tues., March 21–April 11

A Celebration of French Music ...............................................................23 Tues., March 21–April 11

The History of Western Architecture ....................................................37 Fri., April 7, May 12, and June 16

Art and Fiction ...............................................................................................3 Thurs., April 13–May 4, Tues., May 9, Thurs., May 18–June 1

Smithsonian Chorus: Legends of Song .................................................24 Thurs., April 13–May 11

Introduction to American Art 39 Thurs., April 13–27

Artists and Friends in the World of Manet 40 Fri., April 14 and 28

The Uffizi Gallery: An Unrivaled Collection 31 Tues., April 18–May 16

Celebrating Brahms 24 Tues., April 18, 25, and May 2

Write Into Art: Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art 40 Wed., April 19, May 3, and May 17

More Stories from the American Songbook 24

Thurs., Feb. 16 Discovering Türkiye 3 Fri., Feb. 17 Wines of the Iberian Coast 15 Sat., Feb. 18 Centennial Year of Race Records (SJMO) 21 Tues., Feb. 21 The Grapes of Wrath 19 Wed., Feb. 22 An Anatomy of Addiction 4

Winslow Homer 33 Thurs., Feb. 23 I Do Solemnly Swear 3

Stonehenge: An Epic Enigma 3

“The Chinese Question” 3 Wed., Feb. 8

Spices 101: Ginger .....................................................16

Thurs., Feb. 9 Marisol 33

Astrology in Renaissance Art 36 Fri., Feb. 10 War and Pieces: The Met Cloisters .....................33 Sat., Feb. 11 Jane Austen 33

Sun., Feb. 12 How To Find an Owl in Your Neighborhood 27 27Mon., Feb. 13 Ancient Art Collections of Rome..............................34 Wed., Feb. 15 Gothic Kingdoms 4

Frederick Douglass: Autobiographer .....................5 Gene Kelly 19

Edmonia Lewis 36 Sat., Feb. 25 Scotland and England ................................................5 Mon., Feb. 27 Back from the Brink 27 Tues., Feb. 28 1966: Black Power 5 Thurs., March 2 The Studio House .......................................................6 Sat., March 4 Sapporo-Style Ramen: A Regional Rage 16 Tues., March 7 The Oscars 22

Program Planner (New listings in red)

Thurs., March 9 American Women: The Fight for Equality 7 Cuban History 7 Sat., March 11 Ancient Egypt ............................................................38 Mon., March 13 Feminist Fairy Tales 22 Tues., March 14 Slavery and Freedom 7 Edith Wilson .................................................................8

The Tale of Shuten Doji 37 Wed., March 15 African American and Irish Relations 7 Thurs., March 16 The Heart of John Brown .........................................8 How the Internet Changed the Media 8 Fri., March 17 Exploring Wines from Island Regions 15 Sat., March 18 Tudor London ...............................................................9

A Celebration of Marin Marais (SCMS) 20 Sun., March 19 A Celebration of Marin Marais (SCMS) 20 Wed., March 22 Magna Carta: A Blueprint for Democracy ..........10

Aperitivo: Italy’s Magical Pre-dinner Hour 16 Thurs., March 23 Alice Roosevelt Longworth 9

“See You in Orbit?” ...................................................27

Thomas Gainsborough 37 Mon., March 27 Sears Houses of Arlington 10 Tues., March 28 Barbra Streisand: She’s All That .........................23 Wed., March 29 Niccolò Machiavelli in Context 10 A Journey Through the Potomac Gorge 27 Black Holes 101 .........................................................28

Thurs., March 30 Assateague 28 J.M.W. Turner 40

Fri., March 31 From Towers to Palaces: Medieval Florence .....31 Sat., April 1 Jazzed About Art (SJMO) 21 Mon., April 3 Wonder Tales from Japan 23 Tues., April 4 Spring’s Awakening ..................................................38 Tues., April 11 J. Robert Oppenheimer 11 Wed., April 12 What Were They Thinking? 11 Art Crimes: Stolen Third Reich Secrets 39

Tours-In Person—Single and Multi-Session

Mon., March 6 The Philadelphia Flower Show 2023 58 Fri., March 24 Montgomery Meigs 58

Sun., March 26 All Eyes on Pittsburgh .............................................58 Tues., April 11 Spring on the Potomac Heritage Trail 59 Wed., April 12 Spring on the Potomac Heritage Trail 59

Thurs., April 13 The Changing Face of Television 12 Literature’s Nobel Prize 22 Sat., April 15 Traditional Roots of Modern China ......................12 Tues., April 18 Rasputin: The Man Who Would Not Die 12 Three Masterpieces of Etruscan Art 41 Solar System: The Sun............................................29 Wed., April 19 Renaissance Curiosity Cabinets 30 Thurs., April 20 French Wars of Religion 13 Fri., April 21 Spring Wine Adventures: New York State ..........17 Sat., April 22 Coronation to Committal: British Monarchy 13 Cultural Heritage Sites of India 34 Mon., April 24 The Supreme Court’s Role ......................................11 The Spanish in the American Revolution 14 Tues., April 25 Mario Livio on What Makes Us Curious 30 20th-Century Oceanic Art ......................................41 Isabella Stewart Gardner 41 Wed., April 26 Alcatraz: 250 Years on the Rock 14 Pati Jinich: La Frontera ...........................................18 Gods and Mortals 25 Thurs., April 27 Chasing Plants 30 Mon., May 1 Private Art Collections of Rome, Part 1 ............34 Tues., May 2 A New Look at Historical Objects 30 Wed., May 3 Moviegoing in America 14 Thurs., May 4 Hemingway’s Cocktails ............................................18 Mon., May 8 The Cuban Missile Crisis 14 Tues., May 9 Solar System: Mercury 29 Thurs., May 11 Virgil’s Aeneid ............................................................25 Sat., May 13 Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo 42 Fri., May 19 Spring Wine Adventures: Austrian Wine 17 Tues., May 23 George Gershwin: Our Love Is Here to Stay .....25 Wed., May 24 The Art of Christo and Jeanne-Claude 42 Tues., May 30 Solar System: Venus 29 Sat., June 10 The Duke Ellington Orchestra (SJMO) 21 Fri., June 23 Spring Wine Adventures: Germany’s Best 17

Thurs., April 13 Spring on the Potomac Heritage Trail 59 Sat., April 15 Doodlebugging Through Delaware .........................59 Sun., April 16 The Best of Brooklyn 60 Fri., April 21 Military History in the Capital Area 60 Sun., May 21 Frank Lloyd Wright 61

Studio Arts

Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, Fiber Arts, Sculpture, Calligraphy, Other Media, Photography 43-55

NOTICE TO OUR PATRONS:

Smithsonian Associates offers our popular online programs, as well as a number of in-person programs. Because our patrons’ well-being remains Smithsonian Associates’ highest priority, all in-person programs will follow current CDC guidelines. For additional information, please contact us at 202-633-3030 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday

To address your concerns, we are providing the most current information on ticket purchasing and policies, membership and audience services, and communicating with our staff.

SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

MEMBERSHIP Depending on your level of support, you will receive special benefits, including significant savings on most Smithsonian Associates program tickets and a monthly Smithsonian Associates program guide, and much more! Visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/join for more information. Join today!

CONTACT US Email CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org Mail Smithsonian Associates, P.O. Box 23293, Washington, D.C. 20026-3293

REFUNDS are only issued when a program is canceled or if it sells out before we receive your order.

CREDIT TO YOUR SM ITHSON IAN ASSOCIATES ACCOUNT

Credit for cancellations or exchanges are only available for ticket orders that cost more than $40. If in compliance with the specific guidelines below, credit is issued to your Smithsonian Associates account, not your credit card. Credits are non-transferable.

Important note: Cancelling your program in the Zoom personal link that you received will not entitle you to a Smithsonian Associates credit or refund, unless the cancellation took place at least two weeks prior to the program and you notified Customer Service via email about the cancellation.

All Smithsonian Associates online programs, study tours, and Studio Arts classes: If you wish to cancel or exchange tickets for any ticket order costing more than $40, please contact Customer Service via email at least two weeks before the program date to request a credit. Please note that there is a $10 cancellation fee, as well as a cost adjustment when there is a price difference if you are applying your credit to another program.

CHANGES I N PUBLISHE D SCHE DU LES Smithsonian Associates reserves the right to cancel, substitute speakers and session topics within a course, and reschedule any program, if needed. Occasionally, a time or date of a program must change after it has been announced or tickets have been reserved. Participants are

Courses: To receive credit to your Smithsonian Associates account for a course, (excluding Studio Arts classes), please contact Customer Service via email at least two weeks before the first session. Credit will also be issued within two weekdays after the first session, provided that Customer Service is contacted within that period. Credit will be prorated to reflect the cost of the first session. No credit will be given after the second session.

notified by email. Check our website SmithsonianAssociates.org for latest updates.

MOVING? If you are receiving our print publications, please email or write us with your new information and allow 6 weeks for the change of address to take effect.

Smithsonian Institution Washington, D.C. 20560-0701

MEMBER NUMBER

PERIODICALS POSTAGE

Paid at WASHINGTON, D.C. and additional mailing offices

Viewing Smithsonian Associates Online programs on Zoom

If you have not yet downloaded Zoom go to www.zoom.us/download and download the latest version of the Zoom desktop application.

Because Internet speeds vary, try to use a hardwired internet connection (ethernet cord) to your computer. Limit the number of devices and close other applications in use while viewing, and avoid any high bandwidth activities.

You will receive two emails after registering for a program: The first is an immediate automatic confirmation of your purchase from CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org and a second one from no-reply@zoom.us at least 24 hours prior to the program date with a link to your online program on Zoom.

Click the Zoom link sent to you via email (“Click Here to Join”). It will automatically open a web page asking you to launch the Zoom application. Click “Open Zoom Meetings.”

Once the meeting is open in Zoom, maximize the window by clicking “Enter Full Screen” in the top right corner. Also, make sure your speakers are on.

SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES ONLINE

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned.