Smithsonian Associates July 2023 program guide

Dear Friends and Members,

Whether harvested from your own garden, a farmers’ market, or your favorite grocery, the foods of summer bring out the cook in all of us. July’s guide includes a bounty of food- and drink-focused programs guaranteed to inspire a season of delightful meals. These varied offerings also remind us that our all-American July Fourth is a celebration of the cuisines of many cultures represented in our country.

Several culinary-world personalities are on the menu: North Carolina pitmaster Ed Mitchell explores the African American tradition that made him famous—whole-hog barbeque (p. 14). In a conversation with chef Carla Hall, Jacques Pépin serves up tips you wish you’d known about cooking economically and easily at home (p. 15).

Go global and learn why Taiwan’s cuisine is one of the most distinctive in Asia (p. 20) and sample specialties of Naples and the Amalfi coast during an in-person evening (p. 15). Our summer wine adventures also have an Italian accent, highlighting picks from across the country (p. 16). Say konnichiwa to the world of sake during a tasting that introduces the centuries-old drink that’s become a trend far beyond Japan (p. 14).

Garlic has bucked trends for even more centuries, an evergreen ingredient that can add a kick to a marinara and reportedly kick out a vampire or two. Explore the colorful and fascinating history of the “stinking rose” (p. 15). And if food shopping farther afield sounds appealing, don’t miss a practical guide to foraging for natural ingredients in the mid-Atlantic region (p. 14).

No matter the season, we love combining the ingredients for tasty and nourishing programs. And as always, we’re glad to invite you to dig right in!

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Frederica R. Adelman, Director adelmanf@si.edu

Smithsonian Associates In Person

We invite you to join us for selected in-person programs, concert series, and studio arts classes and workshops in our nation’s capital, as well as walking tours, full-day study tours, and overnight tours that visit a range of local and regional destinations in the Washington, D.C. area.

Thinking Like a Historian

Sat., Aug. 26

Control Your Heart Disease Risk

Wed., July 26

Physician John Whyte separates heart-health fact from fiction and provides practical advice that can help reduce your risk of a heart attack.

(see p. 25)

Christopher Hamner, an associate professor of American history at George Mason University, guides you in how to think about and interpret the past in this unique workshop.

(see p. 9)

Musical Event

Smithsonian Chorus: Legends of Song

Thurs., Sept. 7–Nov. 2

Ernest Johnson leads the ensemble in arrangements of the hits you know and love, such as songs by the Beatles, Carole King, the Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, and others. Rehearsals culminate in a free performance on Nov. 9. No audition is required.

(see p. 19)

When Washington Burned

Thurs., Aug. 24

Historian

Robert P. Watson examines the British campaign and American missteps that led to the fall of Washington during the War of 1812.

(see p. 8)

An Introduction to Sake

Thurs., Aug. 10 with tastings

Learn about sake’s history, how it’s made, and how it’s categorized with sake expert and sake sommelier Jessica Joly-Crane.

(see p. 14)

Studio Arts

Let your creative side shine in a wide variety of hands-on classes including photography, drawing, painting, calligraphy, fiber arts, and mixed-media, geared to all experience levels and led by professional artists.

(see pp. 38–39)

Read more about these in-person programs in this guide on our website.

Naples and the Amalfi Coast: A Delicious Guide

Tues., Sept. 26 with tastings

Food historian Francine Segan leads a delightful exploration of the foods and sights of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Pompeii. A reception follows the program featuring regional delights; take home recipes for creating your own delicious Neapolitan specialties.

(see p. 15)

Tours

Our expert-led tours offer oneof-a-kind travel experiences. They’re perfect ways to learn more about topics that intrigue you—and satisfy your yen for exploring fascinating places.

(see pp. 49–57)

SmithsonianAssociates.org

NORWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

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

How FDR Challenged the Nation From Isolation to Ally

In 1938, when Nazi Germany seized land from Czechoslovakia, the military force of an isolationist United States was smaller than Portugal’s. But that same year, President Franklin Roosevelt’s order to dramatically expand domestic U.S. airplane production was the first step in the monumental transformation of American enterprise that brought victory in World War II, as well as ended the Great Depression, gave rise to middleclass affluence and a consumer society, and triggered an economic, military, and scientific boom that turned America into the undisputed leader of world affairs.

Historian Craig Nelson shares how FDR’s skillful leadership turned a nation wary of war into an arsenal of democracy ready to take on the dangers of another world war.

Nelson’s book V Is for Victory (Simon and Schuster) is available for purchase.

Mon., July 10, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-777; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Planning Operation Overlord Behind the Normandy Invasion

From the vantage point of 79 years, the monumental Normandy invasion smoothly unfolded on June 6, 1944, according to a meticulously detailed plan, with 3 million men, 47 divisions, and 6,000 ships piercing Nazi defenses in an inevitable and unstoppable march to Berlin.

In reality, Operation Overlord was an almost-impossible political and logistical nightmare to conceive and execute, with the Allied high command weighing and discarding many options for landing sites, dates, and equipment, then pulling together the ultimate battle plan in secret. The daring cross-Channel operation opened a new Western front, striking a psychological blow to the German military.

David Eisenhower, director of the Institute for Public Service at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, provides a wider panorama of the daring D-Day invasion led by his grandfather General Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force.

Thurs., July 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-771; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Why We Fight American Propaganda in World War II

The full mobilization of American society during the Second World War prompted a massive advertising campaign from the federal government’s Office of War Information (OWI). That campaign had many facets, including a sizable print campaign that targeted public spaces. The posters that emerged from the OWI remain some of the most eye-catching and iconic mass-audience images in historical memory.

Historian Christopher Hamner explores those well-known posters, focusing on two important themes: the differing portrayals of America’s enemies and the evolution of what were deemed acceptable roles for men and women amid the turmoil of war.

JUL 17 This Is the Enemy

JUL 24 We Can Do It

2 sessions: Mon., July 17 and 24, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-020; Members $40; Nonmembers $45

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

Members of the British 6th Airborne Division being briefed for the invasion

We Can Do It!, work-incentive poster for Westinghouse by artist

J. Howard Miller, 1942

Four Royal Marriages

Unions That Shaped the Monarchy

Royal weddings today are all about the beautiful dress, the surprising hats, the ride in the carriage, the flowers, and the kiss on the balcony. Even before television and cell phones, the public nature of a royal wedding captured the attention of people all over the world. But did it matter after the grand celebration was over? At certain points in history, the marriages of royal family members shifted the course of the monarchy and strengthened its place.

Historian and author Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger, former manager of visitor education at the Folger Shakespeare Library, examines four marriages that influenced the evolution and existence of the English and British monarchy, from the 14th century to today.

10 a.m. Edward III and Philippa of Hainault: A Great Marriage of the Middle Ages

11:30 a.m. Henry VII and Elizabeth of York: Establishing the Tudor Dynasty

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert: The International Power Couple

2:45 p.m. Bertie and Elizabeth: The Family and the Future of the Monarchy

Sat., July 8, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-269; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

The Making of England

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1854

England is by far the largest and most populous of the three nations that occupy the island of Britain, but how did its borders take their current shape, and why did Wales and Scotland maintain their distinctive national identities, despite eventually coming under English rule?

Historian Jennifer Paxton recounts how Germanic settlers mixed with the existing Celticspeaking population at the end of Roman rule in Britain, leading to the rise of several small kingdoms that coalesced into the entity that we know as England.

Thurs., Sept. 7, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-274; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Scandalous Royals from George III to Charles III

Scandals about the royals have always been more than just fodder for the tabloids. They tell us a great deal about the power of public opinion, especially as Britain became an increasingly democratic nation, and how the royals have carefully crafted an image that balances their special status with a veneer of “ordinariness.”

Historian Julie Taddeo discusses several royal-family scandals from the reigns of “Mad King” George to the most recently crowned monarch. She highlights scandals that circulated around Charles III during his days as Prince of Wales and those involving his sons and daughters-in-law, particularly how “Megxit” echoes scandals past. The death of Queen Elizabeth II severed the nation’s most important tie to its imperial history and sense of greatness. Taddeo speculates if and how the monarchy can survive in a post-Brexit world under the rule of an elderly king.

Wed., Sept. 20, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-529; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Richard II meeting with the rebels of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381

Charles III and Queen Camilla waving from the front balcony of Buckingham Palace

From Suez Purchase to Suez Crisis

The Rise and Fall of the British Empire

Beginning in 1875, Britain spread its institutions, culture, and language throughout a vast territorial empire that extended into North America, the Caribbean, areas of Africa, the entire Indian subcontinent, Australasia, territories in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and parts of the Middle East. For many Britons, the empire was a source of pride and an essential part of their national identity. Others feared imperialism was a betrayal of their liberal values of freedom.

By 1956, the British Empire had lost India and suffered humiliation at the hands of Egyptian nationalists during the Suez Crisis. Historian Richard Aldous examines how British rule changed the lives of those in the colonies, as well as how the empire changed the British themselves and led to the creation of the multiracial, multicultural society that Britain is today.

Tues., Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-784; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

An Alphabet of Greek Philosophers

Thinkers from Anaximander to Zeno

Much of how we think and what we think about is constructed on foundations shaped by the ancient Greeks. We’ve all heard of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who formed an incomparable trinity of askers of questions—often without answers—and theories about humans, the world around us and how we should function in it, and about what might be beyond our world.

But important philosophers thought and questioned and theorized before Socrates, such as Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes, and equally important ones followed Aristotle, including Epicurus and Zeno. Author and Georgetown University professor Ori Z. Soltes, considers how these brilliant minds addressed the varied layers of reality. He also examines why their philosophical legacies remain exciting, and sometimes painful, in their relevance to us more than two millennia after these men strolled through Athens and other cities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Wed., July 12, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-776; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Lithograph of British infantry, 1887

From Millionaires Row to Embassy Row

Massachusetts Avenue in the Gilded Age

Washington’s movers and shakers once strolled the streets of Dupont Circle, where Massachusetts Avenue was the city’s most fashionable residential address. Heiresses, industrial magnates, newspaper tycoons, and members of the political elite built opulent mansions along the avenue, all to impress Washington society. After the Great Depression, many of these magnificent mansions were converted into embassies, social clubs, and offices.

Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, offers fascinating stories of the capital’s ruling class and their links to the history of Washington’s premier promenade. Highlighted locations include Dupont Circle; the Walsh-McLean House; the home of Alice Roosevelt Longworth; Anderson House; the Edward H. Everett House; the studios of Alice Pike Barney and Edward Lind Morse; and the Phillips Collection.

Tues., July 18, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-040; Member $25; Nonmembers $30

Related tour: Dupont Circle and Embassy Row (see p. 54)

America’s Main Street: Pennsylvania Avenue

America’s most famous avenue, connecting the White House and U.S. Capitol, hasn’t always been a grand thoroughfare. Pennsylvania Avenue and the surrounding neighborhood have been renovated, re-imagined, and revitalized over and over again. From Murder Bay, a center of crime, gambling, and prostitution to the stately boulevard of presidential inaugurations, Carolyn Muraskin unfolds the story of a metamorphosis along America’s Main Street.

Highlights include the White House; the Eisenhower Executive Office Building; Blair House; Federal Triangle; the Willard Hotel; the Old Post Office Tower; the J. Edgar Hoover Building; the U.S. Navy Memorial; the National Archives; and the Temperance Fountain.

Wed., Aug. 16, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-044; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Washington’s Neighborhoods: The Soul of the City

Locals in the capital city often make a distinction between “Washington” and “D.C.” Washington is the federal city—grand government buildings, monuments, memorials, and the icons of America’s capital. But D.C. is where the real soul of the city lives. Each of the District’s diverse neighborhoods has its own unique character, rooted in everything from the well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture of Georgetown to the up-to-the-minute transformation of the Southwest Waterfront. Carolyn Muraskin explores far beyond the Mall to find the real history of the District revealed in neighborhoods that also include LeDroit Park, Dupont Circle, and Mount Pleasant.

Wed., Sept. 6, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1NV-048; 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.

The Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel in Georgetown, designed by James Renwick Jr. in 1850

Rediscovering James Garfield

From Radical to Unifier

Far from simply being a president who was assassinated weeks after taking office, James Garfield might be the most accomplished American statesman of the 19th century, says author C.W. Goodyear. Garfield was a pragmatic politician who quietly shaped the rise—and fall—of Reconstruction; a national peacemaker whose attempts to heal rifts in the postwar Republican Party resulted in his murder; and a leader whose death brought about the political calm he had spent his life striving to achieve.

Join Goodyear as he shines a spotlight on a forgotten president and progressive statesman who tried both to improve an America in political and cultural flux and keep it intact throughout a contentious time.

Copies of President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier (Simon & Schuster) are available for purchase.

Tues., July 25, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-522; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

George Washington’s Visit to Barbados

A Journey that Altered History

George Washington left the mainland only once, when he sailed to Barbados in 1751. He accompanied his half-brother Lawrence, who had contracted tuberculosis and hoped that the island’s warm climate would ameliorate the

disease. Despite its important consequences, the journey remains one of the lesser-known episodes of Washington’s early life.

The four-month voyage proved to be significant for the then-19-year-old Washington. He spent time with British soldiers and viewed their fortifications and arms, which fascinated him enough to shift his career goals from being a surveyor to a military career path. Visiting sugar plantations and sugar mills gave him a first-hand view of the production of rum, a beverage that had major economic, political, and social implications at the time. And after recovering from smallpox in Barbados, Washington gained an understanding of the benefits of inoculation for the military. Historian Ralph Nurnberger details this remarkable trip and highlights the impact it had on Washington, his career, and the outcome of the American Revolution.

Mon., July 31, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-019; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Epic Story of Wildlife and People in America

Historian Dan Flores chronicles the epoch in which humans and animals have coexisted in the “wild new world” of North America—a place shaped by evolutionary forces and momentous arrivals of humans from Asia, Africa, and Europe. These arrivals precipitated a massive disruption of the teeming environment they found. In telling the story, Flores sees humans not as a species apart but as a new animal entering a place that had never seen our like before.

Flores’s book Wild New World: The Epic Story of Animals and People in America (W.W. Norton & Company) is available for purchase.

Mon., Aug. 7, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-019; 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

Dan Flores

The Island of Barbados by Isaac Sailmaker

George Washington at 19

MOUNT VERNON

James Garfield in 1881

Celebrities in Chief

American Presidents and the Culture of Stardom

Americans expect their president to be more than chief executive, commander in chief, chief consoler, and chief crisis manager. In an era in which media stardom is a key part of public life, they also expect our national leader to be our celebrity in chief, says historian Ken Walsh, who as a journalist covered the White House beat for more than 30 years for U.S. News & World Report.

Drawing the distinction between shallow celebrity (simply fame with no larger purpose) and consequential celebrity (fame linked to American values or goals), Walsh surveys presidents across the centuries who made the most effective use of their celebrity—and those who didn’t. Learn why he places Washington, Lincoln, both Roosevelts, Kennedy, Reagan, and Obama in the first category, while Johnson, Nixon, Ford, and Carter represent the second.

Bill Clinton is offered as an example of a president whose celebrity produced a mixed record of success—a category into which Joe Biden also falls, for different reasons. And as Donald Trump seeks another term, Walsh looks at why he believes Trump will need to channel his celebrity in positive directions.

Tues., Aug. 22, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-022; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Only Winner in War Is Medicine

The history of medicine is replete with advances made by hard-working maverick doctors who made astonishing progress against humankind’s deadliest diseases. Yet surgeon Andrew Lam says one factor spurred more medical breakthroughs than any other: war. He reveals how D-Day, Luftwaffe bombing raids, top-secret Liberty ship cargo, and aerial dogfights bequeathed to humanity innovations in surgery, cancer treatment, and trauma care that still serve us today.

Lam’s book on medical history, The Masters of Medicine: Our Greatest Triumphs in the Race to Cure Humanity’s Deadliest Diseases (BenBella Books), is available for purchase.

Wed., Aug. 23, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-281; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

When Washington Burned

Perhaps no other single day in U.S. history was as threatening to the survival of the nation as August 24, 1814, when British forces captured Washington, D.C. This unique moment significantly altered the nation’s path forward, but the event and the reasons behind it are little remembered by most Americans. Historian Robert P. Watson examines the British campaign and American missteps that led to the fall of Washington during the War of 1812.

He analyzes the actions of key figures on both sides of the conflict, pinpoints why the campaign was such a disaster for the United States, and covers the stories of the courageous young clerks and the bold first lady, Dolley Madison, who risked their lives to save priceless artifacts and documents, including the Constitution, from the flames.

Watson’s book When Washington Burned: The British Invasion of the Capital and a Nation’s Rise from the Ashes (Georgetown University Press) is available for purchase and signing.

Thurs., Aug. 24, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-390; Ripley Center; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Colonel Theodore Roosevelt (left) before becoming president, with Richard Harding Davis, Stephen Bonsall, and Major George Dunn

Andrew Lam

Thinking Like a Historian: A Practical Guide

Whatever their area of expertise, professional historians draw on a shared set of practical skills—locating primary sources, placing them in context, reading texts closely and precisely, and corroborating multiple accounts—to make sense of the past.

In an innovative hands-on workshop, Christopher Hamner, an associate professor of American history at George Mason University, demystifies this process by guiding you in how to think about and interpret the past. Hamner introduces participants to the skills and thought processes of the historical profession, employing actual primary sources from 300 years of American history. Participants have the opportunity for hands-on work with sources and to practice thinking like a historian themselves.

10 a.m. Historical Thinking Skills

12:30 p.m. Lunch (participants provide their own)

1:30 p.m. How Historians Think About Cause and Effect

Sat., Aug. 26, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1D0-023; Ripley Center; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

The Jesuits in the United States A Modern Perspective on 500 Years

The history of Catholicism in America cannot be told without the history of the Jesuits. David J. Collins, SJ, of Georgetown University offers a panoramic overview of the Jesuit order in the United States from the colonial era to the present and places it against the backdrop of American religious, cultural, and social history.

He compares the historical and contemporary relationship of Jesuit activities in America to those in Europe and other countries, especially in Latin America. Collins also covers the papacy’s suppression of the Jesuit order and its restoration period and reflects on its future in light of its past.

His book The Jesuits in the United States: A Concise History (Georgetown University Press) is available for purchase.

Thurs., Aug. 31, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-024; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Indigenous DC

Native Peoples and the Nation's Capital

Washington, D.C., was built on American Indian land, but Indigenous peoples are often left out of the city’s narrative. To redress this invisibility, Elizabeth Rule, an assistant professor at American University and Chickasaw scholar-activist, shines a light on the contributions of Indigenous tribal leaders and politicians, artists, and activists to the history of the District of Columbia.

Rule explores sites of importance to Native peoples throughout the nation’s capital, including Theodore Roosevelt Island, the White House lawn, and Anacostia and the Potomac. She also showcases empowering stories of how the city is a place of tribal history, gathering, and advocacy.

Thurs., Sept. 7, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-283; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Lummi Nation totem poles at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

TIM EVANSON

Sketch of a Civil War officer from a Library of Congress collection

Rebuilding Jewish Life in Postwar Germany

The American Zone of occupied Germany became the haven for about 250,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors from eastern Europe. These displaced persons built a full infrastructure with a Yiddish press, political parties, theaters, sports clubs, schools, and religious institutions on what they called the “blood-stained soil” of Germany. While 90% of them had left for Israel and the United States by the early 1950s, those remaining, together with German-Jewish survivors and returnees from exile, rebuilt Jewish life in postwar Germany.

Historian Michael Brenner discusses this era, what it means to be Jewish in Germany, and the importance to Germany of a vibrant Jewish community. He also examines the massive Russian-Jewish immigration following the fall of the Berlin Wall, which significantly increased Germany’s Jewish population, and includes the newest immigrant group—Israelis in Berlin.

Tues., Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-783; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Supreme Court: A Preview of the New Term

Each first Monday of October the Supreme Court’s justices begin hearing and deliberating the country’s most important—and often most controversial—legal cases. Each term the court hears cases that have the potential to reshape American law on topics including race, elections, education, and religious protections. And it’s important for engaged citizens to understand the role that the Supreme Court plays in our lives and how its decisions impact us. Join Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of Berkeley Law and one of the nation’s foremost Constitutional scholars, as he previews the critical issues raised in some of the cases the court will take up.

Wed., Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-786; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Impact of Ferdinand and Isabella From Christopher Columbus to Charles III

When Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile married in 1469, they incorporated not only their two kingdoms but also independent Spanish dominions into a large, unified country that wielded political and religious power over much of Europe for years. Tudor scholar and historian Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger traces the history of this famous couple and their lasting impact on the thrones of several European nations.

Lloyd-Stanger considers the individual accomplishments of Isabella as a rare female ruler at a time of male domination. She also delineates the legacy of Ferdinand and Isabella through royal houses of Europe right up to King Charles III.

Wed., Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-276; 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

Berlin's New Synagogue, an iconic landmark in a neighborhood that was a thriving center of Jewish life before the Holocaust, reopened in 1995

Wedding portrait of King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile

The Pursuit of Happiness

The African American Diaspora in the Revolutionary War

In return for taking up arms against the patriots in the American Revolutionary War, enslaved people won pledges from British military that they would be freed when Britain won the war. But what happened when Britain lost?

Historian Richard Bell explores these Black fugitives’ extraordinary odyssey through the remainder of Britain’s global empire after 1783 to examine the ways they tried to pursue happiness and forge an African American diaspora.

Bell explores this forgotten chapter of the Revolutionary era through the life of Harry Washington, a loyalist stable hand at Mount Vernon who found his way to Sierra Leone in 1792, where he sought to start a new life as an independent farmer. He traces the forces that led Washington and his fellow settlers to undertake a dramatic 1797 uprising to depose the colony’s British administrators and declare their own independence once and for all. Thurs., Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-277; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall marked the tense epicenter of the Cold War for 28 years. Three decades after its building in 1961, the sudden, unexpected opening of the border symbolized the end of the Cold War. East Germans flooded through the divide into the arms of cheering West Berliners. But the scars it left have not fully gone away.

Nor have the questions it raised: Why was Berlin divided and how did it affect life in the city? What or who brought down the Berlin Wall? How is the legacy of division still visible in attitudes in East and West about Russia’s war on Ukraine?

Historian Hope M. Harrison of George Washington University examines these issues and others, including how the global memory of the Berlin Wall has influenced German memory and how it has joined the Holocaust as a fundamental part of German identity.

Wed., Sept. 20, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-782; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

New York City in the Gilded Age A Cultural History

The late 19th century in New York City was an era of spectacular architecture, beautiful parks and squares, exquisite mansions, and palatial public buildings—all magnificent markers of what has become known as the Gilded Age and the wealth that made it possible.

Yet the city was a study in dichotomies, an urban society whose facets were both celebrated and critiqued in the writings of Edith Wharton and Henry James and boldly exposed by Jacob Riis in his photographs of immigrant life.

Lecturer George Scheper of Johns Hopkins University surveys the cultural panorama of New York and the contrasting realities of its inhabitants.

Thurs., Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-278; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Detail from John Singleton Copley, The Death of Major Peirson, 6 January 1781 (1783), Tate Gallery, London.

Crowd atop the Berlin Wall near the Brandenburg Gate, 1989

Lodgers in a Crowded Bayard Street Tenement—Five Cents a Spot, 1889, by Jacob Riis

A New History of the American South

For at least two centuries, the South’s economy, politics, religion, race relations, fiction, music, and foodways have figured prominently in nearly all facets of American life. W. Fitzhugh Brundage, editor of A New History of the American South, discusses how the new book offers a fresh way of looking at a part of the country that many people think they have long figured out.

The volume weaves a new narrative of the South from its ancient past to the era of Black Lives Matter by drawing on wellestablished and new currents in scholarship, including global and Atlantic world history, histories of the African diaspora, and environmental history. It also encompasses individuals and groups whose experiences are absent from or underrepresented in scholarship of the South, including those of Black, Indigenous, and poor communities. Join Brundage in conversation with contributing historians Kate Masur and Martha S. Jones

Copies of A New History of the American South (Ferris and Ferris Books) are available for purchase.

Wed., Sept. 20, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1L0-519; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Intelligence: The New Cold War

Intelligence was a defining characteristic of the Cold War, and it is again today, amid the geopolitical clash unfolding among the United States, China, and Russia. These shadow wars use disinformation, intelligence networks and the latest in technology to create disruption among the superpowers in the hopes of toppling governments and sowing discord.

Calder Walton, historian of intelligence and global security at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, goes inside the history of Cold War espionage, counterintelligence, and covert action. Using newly declassified records from both sides of the conflict, Walton provides fresh light on some of the most famous and infamous espionage cases in history and offers insights into the clandestine struggles being fought today between East and West—and where we seem to be heading.

Thurs., Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-787; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Countering the Myth of the Lost Cause

Truths About the Past

For generations the Myth of the Lost Cause cast a long shadow over the Civil War, America’s watershed event. The persistence of that narrative, created by exConfederates as a social and cultural movement to define the Confederacy’s value and justify the just-concluded conflict, remains part of contemporary America.

The Lost Cause ideology includes fallacies about the relationships between slaves and their masters

Historian Stephen D. Engle rejects that notion and challenges the enduring Southern reverence for the Confederacy. His analysis focuses on how slavery gave rise to the Republican Party that elected Abraham Lincoln, which incited secession and the Confederacy’s creation. Engle covers issues central to the myth over generations by targeting its origins during Reconstruction, its cultural endurance through the 1920s and the Great Depression, its challenges to the civil rights era, and even its symbolism in rallying patriotism today.

Tues., Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-279; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The March of the Roman Legions

For nearly a thousand years, the Roman legions were the most successful infantry formation on a large part of the globe, carving out one of history’s greatest empires. In heavy-soled hobnailed boots and precise cadence, they marched from the Atlantic to the Persian Gulf bringing terror and death, as well as order and civilization. What was the secret of their success—and why did they eventually fail?

To answer these questions, author and military historian Barry Strauss of Cornell University examines some of Rome’s greatest battlefield victories, such as Cynoscephalae and Zama, as well as some of its greatest failures, including Cannae and Adrianople. Strauss’s most recent book is The War that Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium.

Wed., Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-785; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

W. Fitzhugh Brundage and Martha S. Jones

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

Food from the Forest Shopping at Nature’s Grocery

Our native forests, meadows, and wetlands are nature’s grocery store, chock-full of enticing raw ingredients just ready for the picking. Join naturalist and educator at Maryland’s Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Liana Vitali and Anne Arundel County Park Ranger Victor Jones as they explore the makings of foraged feasts that can be found in the mid-Atlantic region. From fresh, cucumber-like cattail shoots to spicy garlic-mustard pesto (Yes! Eat those invasive plants!), Vitali and Jones lead an evening that serves up video vignettes that include cooking demonstrations of their favorite natural edible treats as well as go-to recipes for noshing on nature—ethically and sustainably of course.

Wed., July 19, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-378; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Whole Hog

A Pitmaster’s Celebration of Tradition

African American barbeque has a rich and complex history that spans centuries and continents. Today, there are countless African American barbeque restaurants and festivals throughout the United States, each with their own unique spin on this traditional cooking technique.

In his first cookbook, North Carolina pitmaster Ed Mitchell explores the tradition that made him famous: whole-hog barbeque. It’s one passed down through generations over the course of 125 years and harkens back even further to Mitchell’s ancestors who were plantation sharecroppers and, before that, enslaved.

Barbeque historian and pitmaster Howard Conyers joins Mitchell and his cookbook collaborators, son Ryan Mitchell and food historian and writer Zella Palmer, in a fascinating conversation that surveys the delicious history of African American barbecue.

Ryan Mitchell and Ed Mitchell

Copies of Ed Mitchell’s Barbeque (Ecco) are available for purchase.

Thurs., July 20, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-521; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

An Introduction to Sake With Tasting

Sake, the national drink of Japan, is making its mark in the United States. Consisting of four key ingredients—rice, water, yeast, and koji (a fermentation agent)—the beverage is transforming the way culinary experts approach food pairings across the world.

Sake expert and professional kikizakeshi (sake sommelier) Jessica JolyCrane of Sake Discoveries discusses the basics behind this historic, yet revolutionary drink. Learn about sake’s history, how it’s made, and how it’s categorized. Joly-Crane analyzes three types of sake based on region, aroma, tasting notes, and pairing ideas. Use your new-found knowledge as you enjoy samples of sake following the presentation.

Thurs., Aug. 10, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-527; Ripley Center; Members $50; Nonmembers $65

Jessica Joly-Crane

Spices 101: Garlic

In defiance of its unassuming stature, garlic is a culinary heavyweight. Few ingredients appear in as many recipes or skip across international cuisines so lightly. Its power isn’t limited to the kitchen: Garlic is reputed to repel vampires, snakes, and evil spirits and has through the ages been decried by various world religions. Cookbook author Eleanor Ford examines the botany, cultivation, history, and lore of garlic. She explores the flavor profiles of garlic in its many forms and how various cooking methods can adjust its effect. She also offers plenty of kitchen tips, tricks, and recipes along the way.

Wed., Sept. 13, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1NV-047; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Naples and the Amalfi Coast: A Delicious Guide With Tasting

Food historian Francine Segan leads a delightful exploration of the most delicious foods and unforgettable sights of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Pompeii. Learn about distinctive Italian specialties including buffalo milk mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, limoncello, and the weird but wonderful chocolate eggplant dessert, melanzane al cioccolato. Throughout, Segan shares the most intriguing destinations to visit on your next trip to Italy. Then enjoy a reception featuring regional delights and take home recipes and recommendations for creating your own delicious Neapolitan specialties, both savory and sweet.

Tues., Sept. 26, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-025; Ripley Center; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Jacques Pépin: Cooking My Way

All great chefs know not to waste ingredients, time, or effort—and for master chef Jacques Pépin, this means thinking efficiently about cooking, even at home. In his new book Jacques Pépin Cooking My Way, the legendary cooking teacher offers 150 recipes and illustrated menus for each season—as well as insights on cooking economically at home with techniques that save money, time, and cleanup effort.

For example: Shop for ingredients seasonally when they’re the most affordable, flavorful, and full of nutrition. Don’t overlook inexpensive cuts of meat and poultry. Use up as much of your ingredients up as possible, like saving your meat and vegetable trimmings for a stock, soup, or eventually, a sauce. Transform leftovers into an entirely new, pleasurable meal. Find more great tips when Pépin joins chef Carla Hall for a lively conversation about smart home-kitchen strategies that produce delicious results.

Copies of Jacques Pépin Cooking My Way (Harvest) are available for purchase. Thurs., Sept. 28, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-530; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Amalfi, Italy

Jacques Pépin

In Person

Italian Summer Wine Adventures

A TOP SOMMELIER'S GUIDE TO WINE

Spend three fascinating Friday evenings expanding your knowledge of wine as you travel the world with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in a series of delectable wine-tasting adventures. Each immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.

JUL 21 The ABCs of Italian Wine

From Amarone to Barbera, Brunello to Chianti, Chiavennasca, and everything in between, sommeliers know that if an Italian region or grape name starts with A, B, or C, it’s likely to be delicious. And there’s no question that the rest of the letters are well represented in Italian viticulture. Segelbaum explores its grapes and regions in a delightful adult version of Italian-wine ABCs, proving that the alphabet never tasted so good.

AUG 18 Drink Like an Italian Sommelier

Italian wines captivate the hearts, minds, and palates of many American wine lovers, but their consumption is largely limited to a few major varieties and appellations. Reflecting thousands of grape varieties, Italian wine is an immensely complex subject that can make even the most knowledgeable sommelier’s head spin. Segelbaum unravels the subject in a delicious, off-the beaten-path exploration of some wonderful yet lesser-known Italian wines. If you’ve ever wanted to drink like an Italian sommelier, this is the session for you!

SEPT 22 Piedmont Wines Explored

With September marking the start of the Piedmontese truffle season, it’s only fitting to explore the complementary wines of one of Italy’s most famed regions, home to more DOCGs than any other in Italy. While Barolo reigns supreme here, Piedmont’s wines have so much more to offer. Learn why Nebbiolo is named for the famed “nebbia” fog and how Piedmont’s semi-alpine wines belong at almost any dinner table.

Three-session series: CODE 3WINE2023; Members $175; Nonmembers $200

Individual sessions: Fri., July 21 (CODE 1L0-523); Fri., Aug. 18 (CODE 1L0-524); Fri., Sept. 22 (CODE 1L0-525), 6 p.m., 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 kit, 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, 12–4 p.m. at Restaurant Chloe, 1331 4th St. SE, Washington, DC; Metro: Navy Yard-Ballpark station, Green line. Patrons receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to each session. Due to state and federal laws, Smithsonian Associates cannot ship wine kits. However, SOMLYAY may be able to provide kits to participants outside the Washington, D.C., area (who must cover shipping costs). Please contact erik@thesomlyay.com for more information.

Northern Italy’s Piedmont region

Leonard Bernstein: The Man Who Could Do Anything

Anyone who encountered Leonard Bernstein never forgot the experience. Here was the great American maestro and composer of three symphonies, the Broadway tunesmith, the concert pianist and jazzy improviser, the teacher you wish you’d had in 7th grade, and the Jewish musician who wrote Mass for the Kennedy Center’s opening. He was the man who could do anything—and who was an enigma even to himself.

Popular Smithsonian music lecturer Saul Lilienstein, who studied conducting with Bernstein and frequently performed with him, explores the dimensions of his musical contributions. Savor the man’s charisma and learn about the complexities of his life in this engaging seminar highlighted with musical recordings and film clips. It’s the perfect prelude to the upcoming Maestro, a Bernstein biopic in which Bradley Cooper doubles as director and star.

10 a.m. Beginnings

11:15 a.m. In the Concert Hall

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. On Broadway

3 p.m. A Personal View

Sat., July 15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-270; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Virginia Woolf’s Literary Genius

Why is Virginia Woolf considered one of the most important authors of all time? Join Joseph Luzzi, a professor of literature at Bard College, as he explores Woolf’s remarkable literary contributions. Discover why her innovative writing style, extraordinary emotional insights, and profound level of learning continue to enchant readers worldwide and attract new audiences.

10 a.m. A Masterpiece: Mrs. Dalloway

11:15 a.m. Rethinking a Woman’s Place in the World: A Room of One’s Own

12:15 p.m. Break

12:45 p.m. Reinventing Stream of Consciousness: To the Lighthouse

2 p.m. Identity’s Many Masks: Orlando

Sat., July 15, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; CODE 1J0-276; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

1973: The Year in Film

The year 1973 was, to put it mildly, a very dramatic 12 months. But amid all the social change and political crises, from the perspective of 50 years it was a remarkable year of filmmaking throughout the world.

Hollywood was luring huge numbers of moviegoers back to the cinemas with such massive grossers as The Sting, The Exorcist, The Way We Were, and Paper Moon. The studios also released extremely risky, highly personal, director-driven projects such as Mean Streets, Badlands, Last Tango in Paris, and Scarecrow. Meanwhile in Europe, Federico Fellini immortalized his childhood in Amarcord, while François Truffaut paid loving homage to the cinema in Day for Night.

Grab your popcorn and join film historian Max Alvarez as he hosts a multimedia online celebration honoring a fantastic year at the movies.

Thurs., July 20, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-381; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Virginia Woolf, 1927

Robert Redford in The Sting 1973

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

Ayn Rand: The Controversy Continues

Few people are neutral about Russian-American writer and philosopher Ayn Rand. She generated legions of fans—and detractors—through her bestselling books The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and the philosophy she espoused. As the founder of Objectivism, Rand positioned herself as a defender of the individual who provided a philosophical base for the ideals of the Enlightenment and its greatest political achievement, the United States.

Why is Rand so controversial to this day? Onkar Ghate, a senior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute, explores some of the central ideas of Rand’s worldview and why they continue to draw both devoted adherents and impassioned rejection.

Tues., Aug. 8, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-778; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks: Grandmasters of Comedy

For more than seven decades, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks made America laugh, through either their remarkable solo careers or their legendary partnership. Media historian Brian Rose takes a look at (and gives a listen to) their extraordinary achievements, from their work together on comedian Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows” and their creation of the classic 2,000-year-old man sketches to their accomplishments as writers, directors, and performers.

And no one will ever pull off sporting a cocked, broadbrimmed hat and flowing cape like Brooks, even if they live to be 2,000.

Wed., Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-279; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Kurt Weill: Romantic Satirist, Modern Populist

Throughout his career, whether shaping German modernism in Weimar or composing musical theater masterpieces in the United States, Kurt Weill never wavered from his belief that music was a democratic art and that America best embodied that democracy.

Pianist and popular lecturer Rachel Franklin explores the early works that led to Weill’s extraordinary partnership with Bertolt Brecht and traces his subsequent artistic evolution on Broadway working with lyricists including Ira Gershwin, Langston Hughes, and Maxwell Anderson—collaborations that produced such beloved songs as “Speak Low,” “September Song,” “Lost in the Stars,” and “My Ship.” Featured works include Mahagonny Songspiel, The Threepenny Opera, Knickerbocker Holiday, Lady in the Dark, and Street Scene.

Tues., Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-380; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Carl Reiner

Mel Brooks

Portrait of Ayn Rand for the first edition of Atlas Shrugged by Phyllis Cerf, 1957

Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya at home, 1942

Reading Faulkner

Chronicler of the Deep South in Literature

He was an uncompromising modernist, a great chronicler of the American South, and an inspiration—as well as immovable obstacle—for the generations of writers who followed. William Faulkner stands as one of the greatest, and one of the most problematic, figures in American literature.

A reading series led by Michael Gorra, author of The Saddest Words: William Faulkner’s Civil War, focuses on a trio of Faulkner’s greatest novels: The Sound and the Fury, Light in August, and Absalom, Absalom!

3 sessions: Mon., Aug. 21, Sept. 18, and Oct. 23, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-021; Members $60; Nonmembers $70

The Genius of Sergei Rachmaninoff

Utterly extraordinary as pianist, conductor, and composer, throughout his life Sergei Rachmaninoff bestrode the musical world like a colossus. In his 150th birthday year, popular speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin celebrates his prodigious mastery of all these fields through recordings, video clips, and live demonstrations at her piano.

British-born Franklin has been a featured speaker for organizations including the Library of Congress and NPR, exploring intersections among classical and jazz music, film scores, and the fine arts.

SEPT 6 Russian Roots

SEPT 13 Conquering a New World

2 sessions: Wed., Sept. 6 and 13, 12–2 p.m.; CODE 1K0-386; Members $50; Nonmembers $60

Smithsonian Chorus: Legends of Song

Looking for a choral program that celebrates memorable music across the decades? This is the one for you. Ernest Johnson leads the ensemble in arrangements of the hits you know and love, such as songs by the Beatles, Carole King, the Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, and others. Singers receive general instruction in vocal techniques that include exercises in healthy breath management and improving your singing tone and range, and rehearsals culminate in a free performance. No audition is required. However, it is important that participants be able to sing on pitch; have a basic understanding of musical notation; follow a choral score as music is rehearsed; and practice their vocal part by listening to rehearsal links that are provided.

9 sessions plus performance: Thurs., Sept. 7–Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m.; Thurs., Nov. 9 performance, 7 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1P0-813; Members $120; Nonmembers $135

William Faulkner

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Sergei Rachmaninoff

NORWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

Over the Rainbow: The Hollywood Career of Judy Garland

Judy Garland was one of the most talented people to ever set foot in Hollywood. While she was among the greatest live entertainers in show biz history and one of the top recording artists of her time, her appearances in front of the camera remain her legacy. Media historian Brian Rose examines her remarkable Hollywood career, which began in her young teens at MGM and continued with such timeless classics as The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, Easter Parade, and her stirring comeback in 1954’s A Star is Born

Tues., Sept. 12, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-282; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

“One for My Baby”

The Hollywood Songbook of Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra had a voice that was mesmerizing in person and evocative in recordings. It was ideally suited for the big screen as well. His 100 musical performances in motion pictures reveal a vocalist who almost from the start recognized how the camera could enhance his artistry as much as the microphone did.

Media historian Brian Rose surveys Sinatra’s extraordinary Hollywood musical career, which began with uncredited appearances with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and continued through his celebrated days with the Rat Pack.

Mon., Oct. 16, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-294; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Taiwan’s Vibrant Cuisine

For generations, Taiwanese cuisine has been miscategorized under the broad umbrella term of Chinese food, says Clarissa Wei, a journalist based in Taipei. Her new cookbook, Made in Taiwan, makes a case for why it deserves its own spotlight. In it she offers an in-depth exploration of the vibrant food and culture of Taiwan, with over 100 recipes inspired by the people who live there today. Join Wei as she discusses the flavorful cuisine of Taiwan—and what makes it distinctive in Asian cooking.

Copies of Made in Taiwan: Recipes and Stories from the Island Nation (Simon Element) are available for purchase.

Tues., Sept. 19, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-528; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Clarissa Wei

Chaucer’s European Life

Biographer Marion Turner offers a fresh account of the extraordinary story of how a wine merchant’s son became the poet of The Canterbury Tales. Geoffrey Chaucer is often called the father of English literature, but Turner reveals him as a great European writer and thinker. Drawing on new information about Chaucer’s travels, private life, and the circulation of his writings, she reconstructs in detail the cosmopolitan world of Chaucer’s adventurous life, focusing on the places and spaces that fired his imagination.

From the wharves of London to the frescoed chapels of Florence, Turner recounts Chaucer’s experiences as a prisoner of war in France, as a father visiting his daughter’s nunnery, as a member of a chaotic Parliament, and as a diplomat in Milan, interweaving the story of his life with the story of his writings.

Fri., Sept. 22, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-394; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina and Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov

Two Great Russian Novels

For more than a century, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina and Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov have captivated readers with their spellbinding narratives, philosophical brilliance, and insights into human psychology and spirituality. Join Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, as he takes you inside two of the most consequential novels ever written and explores how their insights continue to illuminate our lives today.

10 a.m. A Tale of Two Novelists

11:15 a.m. Anna Karenina: The “Perfect” Novel?

12:15 p.m. Break

12:45 p.m. The Brothers Karamazov: Toward the “Theological” Novel

2 p.m. Anna Karenina and The Brothers Karamazov: In Dialogue

Sat., Sept. 23, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; CODE 1J0-290; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Much Ado About Shakespeare Why Three Great Comedies Still Matter Today

Though Shakespeare is well-known for such tragedies as Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth, he is also one of the greatest playwrights in the history of comedy. Joseph Luzzi, a professor of literature at Bard College, explores how three of Shakespeare’s comedies—A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, and As You Like It—continue to enchant audiences with their brilliant psychological insights, profound meditations on human nature, and spellbinding lyricism.

10 a.m. Shakespeare’s Comedies: Elements of a Genre

11:15 a.m. A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Shakespearean Lyricism

12:15 p.m. Break

12:45 p.m. As You Like It: The Forest, the Court, and the Spaces of Comedy

2 p.m. Twelfth Night: Mistaken Identity and Misplaced Desire Sat., Oct. 21, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; CODE 1J0-296; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Anna Karenina by Aleksei Mikhailovich Kolesov, 1885, National Museum in Warsaw

Fyodor Dostoevsky (detail) by Vasily Perov, 1872

The Duel Scene from ‘Twelfth Night’ by William Powell Frith, 1842

WALKER ART GALLERY

High School Classics Revisited

In this series, Joseph Luzzi, a professor of literature at Bard College, revisits and provides new perspectives on novels that typically appear on high school reading lists

The Scarlet Letter

For many American high school students, reading Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel The Scarlet Letter from 1850 is a literary rite of passage, introducing them to the time’s moral codes and immersing them in the Puritans’ notions of gender, sexuality, and religion. Luzzi returns to this touchstone of American literature to see how and why it is still relevant and fresh today. Explore the nuances of Hawthorne’s language and style and the ways in which his vivid characters, especially the embattled protagonist Hester Prynne, and their plights relate to concerns in the modern world.

Thurs., Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-288; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Catcher in the Rye

Many young readers list reading J.D. Salinger’s blockbuster novel, The Catcher in the Rye, as one of their most formative and influential experiences with literature. Luzzi revisits this epochal work to see how it has aged since its publication in 1951, highlighting the ways in which readers throughout the world continue to see themselves reflected in the tormented character of its complex protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Luzzi discusses how Salinger’s novel connects with issues and concerns in postwar American life and their effects on generational struggles.

Thurs., Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-291; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Great Gatsby

Many people consider F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, The Great Gatsby, a candidate for the Great American Novel. Why do its themes—especially Jay Gatsby’s quest for the American Dream through his vast wealth and lifelong love for Daisy—resonate so powerfully with readers? Luzzi revisits Fitzgerald’s iconic work to see how, almost 100 years after its publication in 1925, the work continues to cast a powerful spell with its piercing psychological insights and gorgeously lyrical language.

Thurs., Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-295; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck’s literary portraits of American life remain as captivating today as when they were written decades ago. Luzzi explores the themes, ideas, and style of Steinbeck’s brief 1937 masterpiece Of Mice and Men. This haunting tale of friendship and economic struggle continues to enchant readers today. Luzzi explores how Steinbeck’s depictions of those on the margins of American society present a powerful record of human psychology and the broader economic forces that can shape—and in some cases unmake—a life.

Thurs., Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-297; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

A Grand Tour of the Solar System

A Grand Tour of the Solar System

Presented in partnership with George Mason University Observatory

Presented in partnership with George Mason University 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.

Our Moon, Lighting the Way

The moon, our closest solar system neighbor, is a familiar object in our night sky. Its seemingly serene appearance, however, is the product of a long history of violent bombardment. Planetary scientist Rebecca Ghent, co-investigator on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, discusses impact cratering on the moon and examines its significance in understanding the evolution of the moon and other bodies in our solar system.

Tues., July 25, 8 p.m.; CODE 1J0-286; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Mars, Voted Most Likely

Mars is the most explored planet in our solar system besides Earth, and for good reason. Although its surface is cold and inhospitable, evidence from nearly 50 years of robotic exploration suggests that Mars was once much more Earth-like. Katie Stack Morgan, the deputy project scientist on the Perseverance rover mission and a mission scientist on the Curiosity rover mission, explains why Mars remains the best place in the solar system to look for signs of ancient life.

Tues., Aug. 29, 8 p.m.; CODE 1J0-284; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The Geology of Western National Parks

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

JUL 10 Yosemite, California

AUG 7 Crater Lake, Oregon, and Lassen, California

SEPT 11 Yellowstone, Wyoming

3-part series: Mon., July 10, Aug. 7, and Sept. 11, 7 p.m;. CODE 1NV-GE3; Members $60; Nonmembers $75

Individual programs: Mon., July 10 (CODE 1NV-041); Mon., Aug. 7 (CODE 1NV-042); Mon., Sept. 11 (CODE 1NV-043); 7 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

These programs are part of Smithsonian Associates

A supermoon, 2014

NASA/JPL

Dust-storm activity captured by the Mars Color Imager aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, 2018

NASA/JPL

Crater Lake, Oregon

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

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

Exoplanets The Cutting-Edge Science Behind Recent Discoveries

For centuries, people have speculated about the possibility of planets orbiting distant stars, but only since the 1990s has technology allowed astronomers to detect them. More than 6,000 such exoplanets have already been identified, with the pace of discovery accelerating after the launch of NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and the Webb Space Telescope.

Princeton astrophysicist Joshua Winn provides an inside view of the detective work astronomers perform as they find and study exoplanets and describes the surprising— sometimes downright bizarre—planets and systems they have found. He explains how these discoveries are revolutionizing astronomy, explores the current status and possible future of the search for another Earth, and considers how the discovery of exoplanets and their faraway solar systems changes our perspectives on the universe and our place in it.

Winn’s book, The Little Book of Exoplanets (Princeton University Press), is available for purchase.

Tues., July 11, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-377; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

California’s Channel Islands

The Galápagos of North America

Off the coast of southern California, the Channel Islands seem to float on the horizon like ribbons of dark rock. The 8 islands and their encircling waters are home to over 2,000 species of animals and plants—145 of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Today, five islands are protected as Channel Islands National Park.

Often referred to as the Galápagos of North America, isolation over thousands of years and the mingling of warm and cold ocean currents give rise to the rich biodiversity of the Channel Islands, which have attracted many explorers, scientists, and historians during the past few centuries. Jasmine Reinhardt, a National Park Service interpretation and education program manager, covers the diverse history, geography, and unique flora and fauna of these islands and the people who protect them today.

Thurs., July 13, 8 p.m.; CODE 1NV-039; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Why Do Predators Matter?

Sometimes scary but always intriguing, the world’s top predators are also quite necessary. Robert Johnson, a wildlife specialist and conservationist; Sharon Gilman, a biology professor specializing in vertebrates and science education; and Dan Abel, a marine science professor and shark specialist, share facts and tell stories about these fearsome and often misunderstood animals. Their book, Tooth and Claw: Top Predators of the World (Princeton University Press), is available for purchase.

Mon., July 17, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-277; Members $20; Nonmembers $25 These programs are part of Smithsonian Associates

Joshua Winn

Arch Rock at East Anacapa Island, home to pelicans and other birds at Channel Islands National Park

Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk

With WebMD’s John Whyte

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Although some causes are genetic, most heart disease is rooted in lifestyle. Physician John Whyte, chief medical officer of WebMD, separates heart-health fact from fiction and provides practical advice that can help reduce your risk of a heart attack.

Whyte offers tools and information to take control of your health. They include guidelines to assess your personal risk level; what you should and shouldn’t eat; an exercise guide to get your body moving without purchasing fancy equipment; and his thoughts on the value of various digital tools and apps. He also addresses the role our emotions—especially depression and anxiety—play in heart disease and stresses that it’s time we stop ignoring the mind–body connection when it comes to our heart.

Attendees receive a complimentary copy of Whyte’s book Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk (Harper Horizon).

Wed., July 26, 6:45 p.m; CODE 1K0-383; Ripley Center; Members $20; Nonmembers $25 (includes book)

Age-Proof Your Brain

There’s more to keeping your brain in tip-top shape and lowering your risk for dementia than crossword puzzles, brain games, and Sudoku, according to scientist and author Marc Milstein. Drawing on his book The Age-Proof Brain: New Strategies to Improve Memory, Protect Immunity, and Fight Off Dementia, he examines why serious mental decline may not be an inevitable part of aging—and how individuals can boost short- and long-term brain health.

Milstein covers daily practices to improve memory and productivity; increase energy and boost your mood; reduce the risk of anxiety and depression; form healthy habits to supercharge your brain; and prevent nongenetic Alzheimer’s and dementia. He also offers science-based guidance in identifying the difference between what’s real and what’s hype in the world of brain health.

Tues., Aug. 29, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-045; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The Body Farm: What the Bones Reveal

To many people, a skeleton is just a hopeless pile of bones. But to a forensic anthropologist, skeletal remains are the key to identifying an individual and how and when they died. And nowhere else do they get a better understanding of decomposition than at the Forensic Anthropology Center at the University of Tennessee, aka the body farm. Here donated bodies decompose under every imaginable circumstance in order to allow scientists to determine exactly how and when real-life murder victims died. Dawnie Wolfe Steadman, the director of the center, digs into how forensic anthropologists from around the world learn from these bodies.

Thurs., Aug. 24, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-781; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

A student excavates a shallow grave at the body farm in Knoxville, Tennessee

From One Cell

Life’s Origins and the Future of Medicine

Each of us began life as a single cell, eventually emerging as a dazzlingly complex, exquisitely engineered assemblage of trillions. This metamorphosis constitutes one of nature’s most spectacular yet commonplace magic tricks—and one of its most coveted secrets. Physician and researcher Ben Stanger offers a glimpse into what scientists are discovering about how life and the body take shape and why these revelations might hold solutions to some of our most persistently confounding medical challenges, from cancer to cognitive decline to degenerative disease.

Stanger’s book, From One Cell: A Journey into Life’s Origins and the Future of Medicine (W. W. Norton & Company), is available for purchase.

Thurs., Aug. 10, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-391 Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Deep Ocean

A Mysterious World Beneath the Waves

For centuries, people believed the deep was a sinister realm of fiendish creatures and deadly peril. But as cutting-edge technologies have allowed scientists and explorers to dive miles beneath the surface, we are beginning to understand this underworld: It’s a place of soaring mountains, smoldering volcanoes, pink gelatinous predators, and sharks that live for half a millennium.

Join award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Susan Casey for a dive into the deep ocean. Casey’s book The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean (Doubleday) is available for purchase.

Thurs., Aug. 17, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-379; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Bonsai: Small Wonders

Bonsai, tiny trees in pots or miniature landscapes on trays, have delighted and intrigued people for centuries, from their origins in China to their extraordinary refinement in Japan to their global popularity today. Join Michael James, the U.S. National Arboretum’s bonsai curator, and Ann McClellan, author of Bonsai and Penjing: Ambassadors of Peace and Beauty, for an illustrated talk about the arboretum’s National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and its unique collections. They share stories about how the diminutive trees were created and came to Washington, plus a few tips on how to care for these living works of art.

Wed., Aug. 23, 12-1:30 p.m.; CODE 1NV-046; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Ben Stanger

Susan Casey

STEPHEN VOSS

programs

Alien Worlds

Inside the Hidden Realm of Insects

Life on Earth depends on the busy activities of insects, but global populations of these teeming creatures are currently under threat, which, says wildlife documentary filmmaker Steve Nicholls, carries grave consequences

Nicholls offers a rare, up-close look at the alien realm of insects, discussing their origins and wondrous diversity as well as their extraordinary sensory world. He also explains the remarkable success of social insects, from termites and ants to bees and wasps, and reveals why their fate holds implications for our own.

Nicholls’ book Alien Worlds: How Insects Conquered the Earth & Why Their Fate Will Determine Our Future (Princeton University Press) is available for purchase.

Fri, Sept. 8, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1K0-395; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Related tour: The Latest Buzz on Bees (see p. 50)

Interstellar Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars

In his 2021 book Extraterrestrial, theoretical physicist Avi Loeb of Harvard University presented a controversial theory: that Earth had likely been visited by a piece of advanced alien technology from a distant star. In his newest, Interstellar, he dismantles science-fiction fueled visions of a human and alien life encounter and suggests a blueprint for how such an interaction might occur.

From searches for extraterrestrial technology to the heated debate of the existence of unidentified aerial phenomena, Loeb discusses the current progress in science and technology he sees as preparing us for contact and lays out the implications of becoming—or not becoming—interstellar.

Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars (Mariner Books) is available for purchase.

Tues., Sept. 12, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-392; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Losing Eden

Avi Loeb

An Environmental History of the American West

Far from being the wilderness described in early histories, the West was never an undiscovered Eden. Instead, it was an ancient homeland with landscapes that humans have inhabited, modified, and managed for thousands of years.

In her book Losing Eden: An Environmental History of the American West, historian Sara Dant draws on historic data and the latest scientific research to trace the environmental history and development of the American West and explain how the land has shaped and been shaped by the people who live there.

Mon., Sept. 25, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-021; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Steve Nicholls

The Wave; Coyote Buttes, Arizona

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

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.

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 learn more about the Smithsonian Associates certificate program in World Art History, visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/ArtCertificate

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

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

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

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

The Art of India: From the Indus Valley to Independence

Ever since its origins in an ancient civilization along the Indus River, the complex culture of South Asia has led to the creation of some of the world’s most remarkable art and architecture. Robert DeCaroli, a professor in the department of history and art history at George Mason University, highlights the artistic traditions and historical changes in the Indian subcontinent from the earliest archaeological evidence to the onset of colonialism.

JUL 12 Origins of South Asian Culture

JUL 19 Kingdoms, Caves, and Temples

JUL 26 Southern Dynasties and Northern Newcomers

AUG 2 The Mughal Court, the British Raj, and the Nationalists

4 sessions: Wed., July 12–Aug. 2, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-275; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Related tour: Objects of Devotion (see p. 51)

Reflective Writing Workshop

Summer’s Discoveries

Experience 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 Georgia O’Keeffe and poetry by Mary Oliver, explore the lessons that the summer season offers us when we slow down, look closely, and reflect.

Designed for writers of all levels, and for the curious, the workshop invites you to look at the world through the lens of painting and poetry and to respond through reflective 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., Aug. 22, 10 a.m.; CODE 1K0-389; Members $40; Nonmembers $45

Lesser-Known Museums of Rome

World Art History Certificate electivs: Earn ½ credit

Private Art Collections of Rome, Part 2

In 17th-century Rome, Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V, assembled one of the greatest art collections in history, which is still displayed today in the Borghese Gallery, one of Rome’s most popular museums. His eclectic taste combined works from ancient times, Renaissance masters, and contemporary Baroque artists, such as the tormented painter Caravaggio, as well as the phenomenally talented sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Ruggiero examines the history of the Borghese Gallery and its collection of artistic treasures.

Mon., Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-280; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

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

Boy with a Basket of Fruit by Caravaggio

Mary Hall Surface

Taj Mahal, completed in 1643, Agra, India

Cave painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani, in Ajanta, ca. 2nd century, B.C.E.

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit for each session Andy

Warhol's World History

Many critics consider Andy Warhol a mirror of his time. Join Grace Marston, arts educator at the Andy Warhol Museum, as she delves into how historical events in the United States and around the world affected Warhol’s art and life. Marston presents artworks from the museum’s permanent collection, including works that are rarely on public display.

AUG 14 1950s and 1960s

AUG 21 1970s and 1980s

2 sessions: Mon., Aug. 14 and 21, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-020; Members $40; Nonmembers $50

Individual sessions: Mon., Aug. 14 (CODE 1CV-A20); Mon., Aug. 21 (CODE 1CV-B20); 6:30 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Edward Hopper: American Modernist

Edward Hopper (1882–1967) is widely regarded as one of the great American realists of modern art. His works capture a quintessential view of New York City at a certain time that became part of our cultural fabric. Certainly, many noir films of the 1940s and 1950s reflect Hopper’s personal vision of city life reflected in his paintings: austere, silent, moody, and lonely. Hopper’s oeuvre also includes landscapes which were painted on vacations and road trips.

Art historian Bonita Billman explores the highlights of Hopper’s career and examines the sociopolitical and cultural contexts in which he lived and worked.

Thurs., Sept. 14, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-275; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Art of Chagall

Whimsical, colorful, and populated with images from the stories of his native Russian culture, Marc Chagall’s oeuvre is both emotionally and poetically dreambased in a style that transcends reason and logic. He forged a path from his early days in a Russian shtetl to his adult years in France while embracing his identity as part of the Jewish artistic tradition.

Chagall’s distinctive vision—seen in projects from stage sets to murals to tapestries—is considered a precursor of Modernist art while it simultaneously employs traditional subjects drawn from his Jewish roots. Art historian Joseph Cassar explores the wide creative span of his lifetime of works. Tues., Sept. 19, 12–2 p.m.; CODE 1K0-393; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

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Flowers by Andy Warhol, 1964

Mind Energy (detail) by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, 1985

New York Restaurant by Edward Hopper

The Fiddler by Marc Chagall, 1912–1913

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit A Dark, A Light, A Bright

The Designs of Dorothy Liebes

Dorothy Liebes was one of the most influential textile designers of the mid-20th century. Her luxurious handwoven fabrics combined vivid color, lush textures, unexpected materials, and a glint of metallic—a style that grew so prevalent it became known as the Liebes Look. She shaped American tastes in areas from interiors and transportation to industrial design, fashion, and film.

The exhibition “A Dark, A Light, A Bright: The Designs of Dorothy Liebes” opens at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum on July 7. Join organizers Susan Brown, associate curator and acting head of textiles, and Alexa Griffith Winton, manager of content and curriculum, to explore the life and works of this innovative American designer.

Tues., July 11, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-018; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Schiaparelli

and the Surrealists

The Art of Fashion

Elsa Schiaparelli did not approach fashion like other designers of her era. She never considered herself a dressmaker but instead saw herself as an artist working in the medium of fabric. She once said that “working with artists like Bébé Bérard, Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dali, Vertès, van Dongen and with photographers like Hoyningen-Huene, Horst, Cecil Beaton, and Man Ray gave one a sense of exhilaration.”

This was particularly true of her 1937 and 1938 collections, which dazzled with inspirations like her famous “Lobster Dress,” a white silk organza dinner dress that serves as the canvas for a Dali-painted crustacean and a black jersey coat with silk tucked roses featuring Jean Cocteau’s double-image chalice.

Spend an evening with historian and curator Elizabeth Lay as she examines Schiaparelli’s designs in the context of the subversive art and photography of the period. Both Schiaparelli and the Surrealists were experimenting in new materials and a new artistic expression as Europe moved closer and closer to war.

Tues., July 18, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-376; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Stepping Forward: Women Designers 1900–1950

The earliest women to gain prominence in design in the 20th century entered through traditionally domestic portals such as textiles, fashion, jewelry, and interior design. Then, with access to educational opportunities and the changes wrought by a world war, women began to expand their skills to architecture, industrial design, and manufacturing.

Many of these women are lost to the traditional narrative apart from a few “design heroines,” notes design historian and curator Elizabeth Lay. Often these women received public recognition and celebrity during their lives, only to be obscured by history—or the work of their male design partners.

Join Lay for a course in which she focuses on two generations of women working as skilled design professionals in the modern era. Some names, such as fashion designers Jeanne Lanvin, Madeleine Vionnet, and Coco Chanel and architects and furniture designers Eileen Gray and Florence Knoll, may be familiar. And you’ll make the acquaintance of other artists like Clara Driscoll of Tiffany Studios, jewelry designer Suzanne Belperron, architect Charlotte Perriand, and the women of the Bauhaus textile department.

2 sessions: Mon., Aug. 7 and 14, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1K0-385; Members $35; Nonmembers $45

Dorothy Liebes Studio, New York City, ca. 1957

Ankle-length coat, Elsa Schiaparelli, Jean Cocteau, and François Lesage, London, 1937

© VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDON

Florence Knoll, 1956

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit for each session The Intersection of Art and Literature

The notion that a picture is worth a thousand words is meant to convey the power of imagery. But what of the power of words—if they are personal interpretations of art that mix fact and fiction such as Giorgio Vasari’s Lives, or the writings of Dante and Shakespeare that inspired Auguste Rodin, or Émile Zola’s written defense of his great friend Édouard Manet’s work and the portrait it inspired.

Explore the alchemy that occurs at the intersection of art and literature in this fascinating Sundayafternoon series with David Gariff, senior lecturer at the National Gallery of Art.

JUL 23 William Blake: Poet and Painter

AUG 27 Pablo Picasso and Gertrude Stein

Individual programs: July 23 (CODE 1H0-773B), Aug. 27 (CODE 1H0-773C), 3 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Lunchtime with a Curator

Entertaining and Design at the White House

Beginning with its first resident, President John Adams, the White House has witnessed countless holidays, celebrations, and official functions. Presidential entertaining in the modern era has only continued to grow in scale and artistic creativity.

Curator Elizabeth Lay welcomes John Botello, creative manager of the White House–Executive Residence, for an image-rich program on 21st-century style at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He offers behind-the-scenes glimpses of his work on events and interior design, and shares what goes into planning—down to the smallest detail—projects from a state dinner to the annual holiday decorations. Before his current role, Botello served at Blair House, the U.S. State Department, the White House Historical Association, the Smithsonian, and Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens.

Mon., July 24, 12–1 p.m.; CODE 1K0-372; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Decorative Arts Collection of the White House

A Behind-the-Scenes Look

Before Jacqueline Kennedy hired the first White House curator in 1961, furnishings from the executive mansion’s collection had come and gone for more than 160 years, reflecting changing fashions. Today, the Office of the Curator fulfills the enormous responsibility of ensuring that the White House Collection is cared for, documented, displayed, and, in collaboration with the White House Historical Association, shared with the public.

The upcoming book Furnishing the White House: The Decorative Arts Collection marks the first published collaboration of four of those curators, whose cumulative experience exceeds 100 years. Together, they have witnessed the collection evolve since the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson. In a richly illustrated conversation, two of the contributing curators, William G. Allman and Melissa C. Naulin, and the book’s principal photographer, Bruce M. White, discuss this landmark publication and reflect on their experiences acquiring, conserving, storing, and photographing objects in the White House Collection.

Furnishing the White House: The Decorative Arts Collection (White House Historical Association) is available for purchase.

Wed., Aug. 23, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-398; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Ancient of Days by William Blake, 1794

John Botello

The State Dining Room

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Frida Kahlo: Her Art and Life

Labeled a Surrealist because of the fantastical, often nightmarish quality of her paintings, Frida Kahlo always countered that she didn’t paint dreams: She painted her own reality. Kahlo had hoped to become a doctor, but a bus accident at age 18 left her near death. She recovered, but despite numerous operations she spent the rest of her life in pain.

The paintings Kahlo made during her lengthy convalescence opened a new path. She was especially encouraged by the much older, internationally famous fellow Mexican painter Diego Rivera, with whom she fell in love. Their stormy life together and apart formed the basis for many of her pictures, as well as books, plays, and films about Kahlo.

Art historian Nancy G. Heller examines Kahlo’s short life—including the reasons she loved wearing traditional Mexican clothing, accessories, and hairstyles—and her work. She looks beyond the famous selfportraits to include landscapes, still lifes, and other Kahlo subjects.

Thurs., July 27, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-271; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

Art Nouveau: New Style for a New Century

Noted for its organic, sinuous, and seductive styles, the Art Nouveau movement in modern art and design—called the New Style— developed out of the arts and crafts and aesthetic movements. Centered in France at the turn of the last century, it was celebrated at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris and quickly spread to England and America.

This richly illustrated seminar led by art historian Bonita Billman explores the style’s origins, identifying characteristics, and chief creators. Though it flowered for only a decade or so, Art Nouveau has had a long-lasting influence and popularity.

10 a.m. Origins and Characteristics of Art Nouveau

11:30 a.m. Art Nouveau in France

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. The New Style in Britain

2:45 p.m. The New Style in America

Sat., July 29, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-272; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

Exploring the Arts of Latin America

From colossal Olmec heads to the paintings of Frida Kahlo, Aztec temples to Mexican murals, this survey of Latin American art sweeps through centuries and locations including ancient Mesoamerica, coastal Peru, and the top of the Andes. Michele Greet, the director of the art history program at George Mason University, traces the significant creators, works, influences, and trends that defined and shaped the arts of Latin America from their earliest expressions through the 19th and 20th centuries.

AUG 3 The Arts of Ancient Mesoamerica

AUG 10 The Arts of the Andes

AUG 17 The Arts of Viceregal Latin America

AUG 24 Modern Art in Latin America

4 sessions: Thurs., Aug. 3–24, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-278; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Olmec monumental head, Museo Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Mexico

José Clemente Orozco, Mural Omnisciencia, 1925

Frida Kahlo by Guillermo Kahlo

"Wisteria" table lamp, Tiffany Studios Entrance to Paris Métro by architect Hector Guimard

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Cave Art: Where it All Began

Forty thousand years ago, humans began to paint animals, mysterious symbols, and even people on cave walls. For over a century, researchers have been interested in how these images were created and what they might have meant. Paleolithic archaeologist April Nowell explores cave art and objects including figurines, items of personal adornment, decorated tools, and musical instruments made during the Upper Paleolithic.

She examines techniques of manufacture, interpretation, and dating and highlights questions about who made this art, what we can we infer about its meanings, and what can we learn about the individuals and the communities behind their creation.

Drawing on examples from sites in Indonesia, Australia, Europe, and Siberia, Nowell looks at the science behind the art and how cutting-edge technology is leading to a new understanding of the lives of Ice Age peoples.

Wed., Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-779; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Pieter Bruegel the Elder: Humor and Humanism

The great 16th-century Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder may be best remembered as one of the pioneers of genre scenes in Renaissance art. However, this master of the ordinary, especially of scenes inspired by peasant life, was steeped in the humanist culture of his era.

His wonderful inventiveness and wit are reflected throughout his oeuvre— where almost every painting becomes a point of departure for a deeper philosophical consideration. Art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine explores various facets of Bruegel’s creativity that have secured him such a special place in our collective memory.

Fri., Aug. 11, 12–2 p.m.; CODE 1K0-388; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Golden Age of Vienna

The Art of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele

At the turn of the 20th century, Vienna was the capital of a great empire ruled by the Hapsburgs. The city was a center of political power as well as avant-garde culture, home to some of the world’s greatest composers, architects, writers, and artists. Two who helped define this age of glamour, elegance, and decadence were artists Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.

Art critic and adviser Judy Pomeranz explores the lives and art of these extraordinary individuals and the age in which they lived. She examines how they were influenced by their time and place and illustrates how powerfully they reflected them in works both beautiful and shocking.

Wed., Aug. 16, 12-1:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-387; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

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

Ocher painting of a horse, Altamira cave, Spain

The Harvesters by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1565

Self-Portrait with Physalis by Egon Schiele, 1915

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit The Hudson River School Art, History, Science, and National Identity

The paintings of the Hudson River School artists define our image of early 19th-century America: romantic, light-suffused landscapes that capture the wonders of nature and the promise of an expanding nation. Works by painters such as Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, and Frederic Edwin Church—in addition to the less well-known Sarah Cole, Susie Barstow, and Mary Josephine Walters— synthesize the European landscape tradition with a distinctly American view of nature, science, and spirituality reflected in Thoreau and Emerson. The results range from Church’s dramatic views of Niagara Falls to Durand’s idealized landscapes bathed in a golden glow.

Niagara by Frederic Edwin Church, 1857

Art historian Heidi Applegate examines the themes that circle around the group of diverse artists assigned the Hudson River School name—one that became a disparaging term when American artistic tastes turned from landscape and genre subjects to more cosmopolitan themes influenced by European-trained painters after the Civil War. She explores why these Hudson River School artists were so popular, how they fell out of favor, and why their art has generated renewed interest.

Fri., Aug. 25, 12-1:15 p.m.; CODE 1H0-780; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Painting in France

The popular style of 19th–century French painting known as Impressionism—filled with color, light, and scintillating brushwork—was an act of extreme rebellion when it appeared in the 1870s. For ar tists to depict fleeting sensations of rain, a sunrise, or a human gesture was shocking to other artists, art lovers, and critics who had been taught that fine art should focus on timeless and unchanging subject matter.

The work of these modern masters—notably Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt, and Morisot—led in turn to the radical art of the Post-Impressionists. During the 1880s and ’90s, Seurat, Cézanne, Gauguin, and Van Gogh used vivid colors and form to depict subjects from the real world, but in ways that were not always fully realistic.

In a lavishly illustrated 5-session course, art historian Nancy G. Heller explores the sources, masterpieces, and later influences of these rebels, including their impact on 20th-century art.

5 sessions: Wed., Aug. 30–Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-273; Members $85; Nonmembers $95 Related studio arts class: Impressionism in the Franciscan Monastery Gardens (see p. 38)

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Ganges: River and Goddess

The Ganges River Basin was the heartland of South Asian urban development in the 6th century B.C.E., and the river remains deeply important to many people in ways that are both physical and conceptual. Robert DeCaroli, a professor of art history at George Mason University, traces the Ganges from its origins in the peaks of the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, exploring historic and sacred locations along this mighty river.

The physical river, however, is only half the story. Since ancient times, the Ganges has been embodied as the goddess Ganga, and her reach stretches well beyond the riverbanks. DeCaroli examines the art and architecture used to enhance and replicate access to Ganga’s sacred waters. Tues., Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-289; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Bathers at Asnières by Georges Seurat, 1884, National Gallery, London

The Siesta by Paul Gauguin, ca. 1892–94,The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sunset on the Ganges River in Varanasi

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Extreme Architecture Around the World

Throughout history, architectural styles have evolved based on construction methods, materials, and function, as well as principles of design, elements of architecture, and aesthetic ideals. Art historian Janetta Rebold Benton leads a fascinating journey through some of the most creative and extreme examples of architecture constructed worldwide in recent years. From Dubai’s Burj Khalifa (the world’s highest building) to the Nautilus House in Mexico City (a giant psychedelic mollusk shell) to a Malibu residence designed around the wings of a decommissioned Boeing 747-100, the surprising structures blend innovation, technology, and imagination.

Tues., Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1D0-026; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

Byzantine Art and its Legacy

A key feature of the visual culture of the Byzantine Empire was its orientation toward religious themes as shaped by Orthodox Christianity. These were explored in a remarkable variety of media, from wall frescoes to miniature mosaics and exquisitely carved ivories. Though this empire came to an end with the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, it left a lasting cultural imprint, both in areas that were under its political control and in those adjacent to it, from Italy to Russia.

Art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine explores some of the most important aspects of the visual arts of this empire at the cultural crossroads of West and East.

SEPT 28 The Birth of the New Rome and its Metamorphosis into Istanbul

OCT 5 Monuments of Byzantine Art in Greece and the Balkan Peninsula

OCT 12 Beyond the Borders of Byzantium

3 sessions: Thurs., Sept. 28–Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-396; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

SmithsonianAssociates.org/artcertificate

Art-full Fridays | Live from Italy, with Elaine Ruffolo

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Faces of the Italian Renaissance

In the 15th and 16th centuries, portraits played a vital role in every aspect of human life: childhood, politics, friendship, courtship, marriage, old age, and death. It was also widely believed that a person’s appearance mirrored their soul, with physical beauty indicating qualities such as morality, virtue, and religious devotion. As such, artists developed highly individual approaches to the representation of ideal beauty.

Renaissance art historian Elaine Ruffolo provides fresh insights into fundamental issues of likeness, memory, and identity as she reveals a remarkable community of Renaissance personalities—from princes, envoys, and merchants to clergymen, tradesmen, and artists.

Fri., Sept. 29, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1D0-027; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

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

The Tempi Madonna (detail) by Raphael, 1508

Dubai’s Burj Khalifa

Marble head of Constantine

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn

1 credit

The Great Cathedrals and Basilicas of Italy

The churches of Italy are renowned for their artistic treasures, from Giotto’s 14th-century frescoes in Florence, Padua, and Assisi to Giacomo Manzu’s great 20th-century bronze doors for St. Peter’s in Rome. Some churches are known for a specific space or work that makes a pilgrimage a necessity, such as Masaccio’s Brancacci Chapel in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence. Others, such as the Florentine Santa Maria Novella or the Frari in Venice, showcase virtually the entire history of the art and culture of their respective cities.

In a splendidly illustrated seminar, art historian Sophia D’Addio of Columbia University explores churches that represent some of Italy’s greatest repositories of sacred art.

10 a.m. The Basilica of Saint Mark and the Treasures of Venice

11:30 a.m. The Gothic Dream: The Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta in Siena

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. The Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Riches of Florence

2:45 p.m. St. Peter’s and Rome, the Eternal City

Sat., Sept. 30, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-280; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Expressionism: The Art of Emotions

Expressionism as an artistic movement developed in the early 20th century, a period in which new and influential explorations of psychology and human behavior were taking place. Artists began to look at the world more subjectively, often distorting their depictions to achieve an emotional effect in artworks that still hold the power to move and challenge viewers. Art historian Joseph Paul Cassar traces the movement’s roots, meaning, influences, and most notable practitioners.

OCT 4 The Origin and Meaning of Expressionism

OCT 11 Die Brücke and the Art of Woodblock Printing

OCT 18 Der Blaue Reiter Group

OCT 25 Expressionists and “Degenerate Art”

4 sessions: Wed., Oct. 4–25, 12–1:15 p.m. ; CODE 1K0-397; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Exploring the Cluny Museum in Paris

Step from the bustling sidewalks of the Left Bank in Paris into a veritable treasure house: the Cluny Museum. The remains of ancient Roman baths and the Gothic Paris residence of the abbots of Cluny provide the fairy-tale backdrop for marvels of medieval art. Barbara Drake Boehm, a curator emerita of The Met Cloisters, explores the museum, renovated and reopened last year.

The masterpieces inside include the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries, sculpture from the Cathedral of Notre-Dame that was buried during the French Revolution, and a Jewish wedding ring hidden by its owner during the Black Death.

Mon., Oct. 23, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-287; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Detail of The Last Judgement, a fresco in the Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore, ca. 1579

Piccolomini Library in the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta in Siena

The Blue Rider (Der Blaue Reiter) by Wassily Kandinsky, 1903

The Lady with the Unicorn, Cluny Museum, Paris

Please visit SmithsonianAssociates.org to view the FAQ on Health & Safety guidelines

IN PERSON

DRAWING n n n n

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 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., July 12–Aug. 30, 6:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0VD; Members $235; Nonmembers $265

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden: Drawing Treasures

Stretch your creative muscles and deepen your observational skills at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Create a drawing-treasure map using simple and fun drawing tools as you visually explore time, space, and place.

Fall Plein Air Landscape Painting in Oil

Learn the secrets of plein air landscape oil painting working in the beautiful surroundings of Rock Creek Park. Students learn how to capture the spirit and essence of a fall landscape while developing strong observational painting techniques on location.

IN PERSON: Sat., Sept. 9–Oct. 7, 1 p.m., no class Sept. 16; Michelle René Cobb; details and supply list on website; Rock Creek Park; CODE 1V0-0XS; Members $185; Nonmembers $205

By Michelle René Cobb

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Paper Frenzy

By Renee Sandell

IN PERSON: Sun., Sept. 10, 10 a.m.; Renee Sandell; details and supply list on website; National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden; CODE 1V00XQ; Members $105; Nonmembers $115

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Impressionism in the Franciscan Monastery Gardens

Cézanne-Inspired En Plein Air Landscape Intensive

Try new techniques as you have fun creating papers for collage and other art projects. Create a glorious collection of one-of-a-kind papers accented by acrylic, inks, stamps, and other printmaking materials.

By Sharon Robinson

IN PERSON: Wed., Aug. 16–Sept. 6, 6 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0XM; Members $175; Nonmembers $195

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The Ancient Art of Henna Tattoos

By Sandra Gobar

Capture the nuances of the natural light in the gardens of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America with water-based oils, watercolors, or acrylic paints on canvas as Impressionist artists would.

IN PERSON: Sat., Aug. 12 and 19, 10 a.m.; Sandra Gobar; details and supply list on website; Franciscan Monastery gardens; CODE 1V0-0XE; Members $195; Nonmembers $215

Related program: Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Painting in France (see p. 35)

Henna tattoos reflect an ancient and beautiful practice of body art. Explore the form’s history as you learn to apply simple traditional Indian henna designs.

IN PERSON–NEW DATE: Sun., Sept. 10, 12:30 p.m.; Sharmila Karamchandani; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0XV; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

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Embroidered Patch Workshop

Use basic stitches to create an embroidered patch to embellish a favorite jacket or pair of jeans. Learn how to prepare fabric with a simple design, then ready a hoop and begin stitching.

Introduction to Photography

IN PERSON

By Heather Kerley

IN PERSON: Sat., Sept. 9, 11 a.m.; Heather Kerley; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0XU; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

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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.

By George Tkabladze

IN PERSON: Wed., July 12–Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.; George Tkabladze; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0WB; Members $215; Nonmembers $245

PHOTOGRAPHY n

On-Location Photography

Learn to capture this vibrant capital city and sharpen your way of thinking about shooting outdoors in a course that focuses on deploying a minimal amount of equipment and a lot of fresh perspective. Emphasis is placed on what happens before the shutter release is pressed and on truly previsualizing the photograph.

By Andargé Asfaw

Introduction to Studio Portraiture

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.

IN PERSON: Tues., July 11–Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m.; Andargé Asfaw; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0WM; Members $185; Nonmembers $215

Produce a portfolio of student and model portraits in this class that focuses on basics such as posing a subject; using highlight and shadow; high key and low key lighting; using a flash meter; and understanding strobe lighting.

By Marty Kaplan

IN PERSON: Tues., July 11–Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m.; Marty Kaplan; details on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0WN; Members $185; Nonmembers $215

On-Location Photography with NeutralDensity Filters

Neutral-density filters help achieve very slow shutter-speed photos in bright sun and capture streaking light at night. Appropriate camera controls and filter techniques are covered, and students get to apply what they’ve learned.

By Joe Yablonsky

IN PERSON: Sun., July 16–Aug. 20, 1:45 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0WJ; Members $195; Nonmembers $225

IN PERSON: Wed., Aug. 16–30, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0XJ; Members $125; Nonmembers $145

ART SCI ENCE STUDIO ARTS

CULTURE HI STORY STUDIO ARTS

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

ONLINE

Online classes are taught by professional artists and teachers. View detailed class descriptions and supply lists at SmithsonianAssociates.org/studio. View portfolios of work by our instructors at SmithsonianAssociates.org/art instructors.

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World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Composition

This workshop examines fundamental concepts of composition and their practical application in studio-art practice, offering participants tools to enrich their work as well as to analyze and appreciate visual art in general.

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.

SOLD OUT

Moroccan Café by Matisse, 1913

ONLINE: Mon., Aug. 7–28, 10:30 a.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XC; Members $155; Nonmembers $175

Visual Journaling: Creativity Workout

ONLINE: Mon., July 10–Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m.; Josh Highter; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VC; Members $255; Nonmembers $285

Anatomical Drawing

By Renee Sandell

In an afternoon of artistic experimentation, explore five modes of visual thinking: working from memory, observation, imagination, narrative, and experimental approaches. Create visual journaling pieces and engage in mark-making and mapping exercises.

ONLINE: Sat., Sept. 9, 1 p.m.; Renee Sandell; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XN; Members $75; Nonmembers $85

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Sketchbook Habit: The Art of Everyday Life

Learn the fundamentals of drawing the human body, starting with an exploration of the skeleton and planes of motion. Then review gesture drawing, musculature, body segments, and key anatomical features. Previous drawing experience is required.

ONLINE: Tues., Aug. 1–Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m.; Trisha Gupta; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XA; Members $215; Nonmembers $245

Drawing Heads, Hands, and Feet

SOLD OUT

By Sue Fierston

Focus on the essentials of starting a sketchbook habit. Practice “close looking” exercises as you fill your sketchbook with meditative contour drawings, watercolor sketches of the natural world, and quick but evocative images from travels. Some watercolor or drawing experience is recommended.

ONLINE: Sun., July 9, Aug. 6, and Sept. 10, 10 a.m.; Sue Fierston; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VB; Members $185; Nonmembers $205

This class focuses on the most challenging and expressive details of the human figure: heads, hands, and feet. Working from photographs, students use dry media to experiment with line, modeling, foreshortening, structure, expression, and varied rates of drawing.

ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 2–Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m.; Trisha Gupta; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XB; Members $215; Nonmembers $245

Complete Colored Pencils

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Introduction to Watercolor

SOLD OUT

Colored pencil, an often-overlooked dry medium, is coming into its own. Whether used in fine art or illustration, they can enliven work with rich, vibrant color and a dizzying range of effects. Learn basic to intermediate methods and strategies with colored pencils.

ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 3–17, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VE; Members $135; Nonmembers $155

By Lori VanKirk Schue

Animal Portraits in Colored Pencil

By Lori VanKirk Schue

SOLD OUT

Try your hand at animal portraiture, whether done in a realistic or slightly abstract style, while learning the proper use of the colored pencil medium. Instruction includes choosing a subject, reference photos, choice of paper and pencils, and, finally, framing a portrait to be proud of.

ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 24 and 31, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VF; Members $85; Nonmembers $105

NEW CLASS

Introduction to Water-Soluble Colored Pencils

Loved by artists for their versatility, water-soluble colored pencils emulsify when water is added, making them a viable alternative to watercolor paints. Students learn about the many types of water-soluble colored pencils on the market and how to use them.

By Lori VanKirk Schue

ONLINE: Thurs., Sept. 7 and 14, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XP; Members $85; Nonmembers $105

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.

By Josh Highter

ONLINE: Sun., July 9–Aug. 27, 10:15 a.m.; Josh Highter; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VJ; Members $245; Nonmembers $275

Watercolor Techniques and Textures

By Lubna Zahid

The Magic of Light and Shadow in Watercolor

SOLD OUT SOLD OUT

Learn several approaches to creating washes and contrasting textured areas using drybrush, splattering, and lifting. These techniques are particularly useful when painting scenery such as landscapes, tree trunks, rocks, grasses, and old barns. This class is designed for advanced beginner and intermediate watercolor students.

SOLD OUT

ONLINE: Tues., July 11–Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m. (no class July 25); Lubna Zahid; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VK; Members $265; Nonmembers $295

The portrayal of light and shadow can be a challenge to painters of all levels. Through demonstrations and hands-on exercises, you gain confidence in creating these contrasting elements. You also learn how to create a strong focal point, unity, and balance in a painting.

By Lubna Zahid

ONLINE: Tues., July 11–Sept. 5, 5 p.m. (no class July 25); Lubna Zahid; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VL; Members $265; Nonmembers $295

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Techniques in Modernist Painting

Western Landscapes Under the Milky Way

By Shahin Talishkhan

Students are invited to experiment with a variety of Modernist painting styles such as Cubism, Suprematism, and Abstract Expressionism. Through a series of exercises, including still-life setups and model sessions, participants learn practical applications of the concepts and techniques of Modernism.

ONLINE: Thurs., July 13–Aug. 17, 6:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VN; Members $195; Nonmembers $225

Sur la Plage: Painting the Beach

The light, movement, and colors of the beach have long been an inspiration for artists. In this workshop, explore the techniques of masters of seaside painting as preparation for creating your own beach memory.

The American West’s beautiful landscapes are especially breathtaking beneath its expansive dark skies. Using watercolor, learn how to capture the night sky’s subtle tints and recreate the texture of the region’s red-rock landscapes. Previous experience with watercolor is required.

ONLINE: Tues., Aug. 22 and 29, 6:30 p.m.; Natalia Wilkins-Tyler; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XR; Members $85; Nonmembers $105

MIXED-MEDIA n n n n

ONLINE: Thurs., July 20–Aug. 24, 6:30 p.m.; Adrienne Wyman; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0WZ; Members $205; Nonmembers $235

By Joaquín Sorolla

Altered Books

Color Stories Journal

Explore your relationship to individual colors and how they connect to facets of your life. Practice simple, playful acrylic painting techniques incorporating all the colors of the spectrum, plus black and white. Then, begin to record personal stories in a journal to use every day.

Learn to upcycle book pages as surfaces for drawing, painting, and collage. Students experiment with materials and techniques to create their own stories using gelatin plate prints, textures, photo transfers, drawing, painting, and text redaction.

By Sushmita Mazumdar

ONLINE: Tues., July 25–Aug. 22, 6 p.m.; Sushmita Mazumdar; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VR; Members $165; Nonmembers $195

By Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

ONLINE: Wed., July 12–Aug. 16, 1:30 p.m.; Marcie Wolf-Hubbard; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VT; Members $195; Nonmembers $225

By Natalia Wilkins-Tyler

Build a Tiny House

In this three-day workshop, students construct tiny houses, which they personalize working in papier-mâché, acrylics, and mixed media. Finish the house’s interior and exterior in acrylic, photo transfers, and a variety of techniques to make it your own.

By Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

ONLINE: Wed., July 12–26, 6 p.m.; Marcie Wolf-Hubbard; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VU; Members $165; Nonmembers $185

Build a Tiny Interior

Fancy-Fold Cards for All Occasions

Create four different fancy-fold cards sure to impress any recipient. Fancy folds look challenging, but this workshop walks you through all the steps. Detailed instructions provide you with everything you need to create future fancy folds on your own.

By Karen Cadogan

ONLINE: Sat., July 22, 10 a.m.; Karen Cadogan; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VY; Members $70; Nonmembers $80

Make Your Mark

Imagine your dream home, either from your past or in the future, then bring its tiny interior to life using papier-mâché, acrylics, and other mixed-media techniques. Exercises include visualizing the possible inhabitants of your small space, then designing furniture, fixtures, clothing, or accessories for them.

By Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 2–16, 6 p.m.; Marcie Wolf-Hubbard; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VX; Members $165; Nonmembers $185

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 artmaking, explore mark-making with lines, swirls, and puddles, and use paper to experiment with folding and tearing.

By Sushmita Mazumdar

ONLINE: Mon., July 17–Aug. 21, 12 p.m.; Sushmita Mazumdar; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VW; Members $95; Nonmembers $125

By Sharon Robinson

Students explore mark and pattern making as the first step toward developing fully realized works of art. Intuitive exercises use a variety of simple tools to generate many types of marks.

ONLINE: Mon., July 24–Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XL; Members $145; Nonmembers $165

The Painterly Gel Print

Printmaking using a gel plate offers many options for combining materials and techniques to achieve distinctive results. Learn simple techniques for transferring images to the plate for printing, layering, masking, and brushwork.

ONLINE: Sat., July 22–Aug. 12, 1 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XK; Members $155; Nonmembers $175

By Sharon Robinson

Explorations in Art and Poetry

Discover your inner artist or poet, or both, in this course that lets you delve into mixed-media and poetry. Using discussions, research, and experimentation, create both visual and written works of art.

ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 10–31, 6 p.m.; Richard Allen May; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XT; Members $155; Nonmembers $175

Crepe Paper Flowers: Clematis

Learn floral papercraft techniques, using different weights of both crepe paper and floral wire, to create the beautiful clematis, known to gardeners as the queen of climbers.

By Karen Cadogan

ONLINE: Sat., Aug. 19 and 26, 10:30 a.m.; Karen Cadogan; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XF; Members $100; Nonmembers $120

By Richard Allen May

FIBER ARTS n n n

Basic Weaving on the Rigid Heddle Loom

The versatile and portable rigid heddle loom is a great entryway into weaving scarves, placemats, dishtowels, and more. Learn how to prepare (dress) the loom for weaving, along with basic hand-control techniques including flat tapestry, raised tapestry, open-lace work, pickup, plane weave, and several finishing techniques.

ONLINE: Tues., July 11–Aug. 8, 6:30 p.m.; Tea Okropiridze; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0VZ; Members $155; Nonmembers $185

Botanical Illustration in Redwork

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Introduction to Calligraphy: The Foundational Hand

This class offers an introduction to the basic calligraphic strokes that make up the Foundational hand, the starting point for learning other hands such as Italic and Black Letter. Students begin by using dual pencils and then the broad-edged pen. They acquire the necessary skills and understanding in drawing guidelines, determining heights, and letter spacing.

ONLINE: Sat., July 8–Aug. 26, 1:30 p.m.; Sharmila Karamchandani; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0WX; Members $235; Nonmembers $265

Introduction to Afghan Manuscript Illumination

By Heather Kerley

Learn the history of redwork quilts and how this type of embroidery—primarily done in red but also in blue and black— can be used to make beautiful, delicate botanical illustrations. Students create designs based on plants native to their area, transfer those designs onto fabric, and then make a basic small quilt using their embroideries.

ONLINE: Wed., July 12-26, 12 p.m.; Heather Kerley; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0WA; Members $105;

Nonmembers $125

By Sughra Hussainy

Learn the elements of goldleaf manuscript illumination in the Afghan tradition. Create geometric, vegetable, and floral motifs using graph and tracing paper and transfer designs onto fine-art paper. Then, color the designs with opaque watercolors, outline them in black ink, and use as ornamentation for calligraphy and manuscripts.

ONLINE: Sun., July 9–Aug. 27, 1 p.m.; Sughra Hussainy; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0WY; Members $245; Nonmembers $275

Student work

ONLINE

MEDIA n n n n

OTHER

The Art of Floral Design

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.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Beginner n n n n

NEW CLASS

Black-and-White Film Developing at Home

By Arrin Sutliff

ONLINE: Wed., July 12–Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m.; Arrin Sutliff; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0WC; Members $155; Nonmembers $185

Bead Weaving: On and Off the Loom

Bead weaving offers an endless possibility of stitches, designs, and color combinations to explore and create. Learn two bead weaving methods—with and without a loom—as well as two different stitch patterns with a myriad of design possibilities. The class focuses on how to start and finish wearable pieces, create patterns, and choose bead colors and finishes.

ONLINE: Sat., Aug. 12–26, 12 p.m.; Mïa Vollkommer; CODE 1K0-0WF; details and supply list on website; Members $195; Nonmembers $215

NEW CLASS

By Mïa Vollkommer

Fibula Pin Workshop

Processing your own 35mm or 120mm black-and-white film is cost-effective and typically yields better results than sending it to a commercial lab. Acquire the skills you need to process film at home in this information-packed session, with topics such as stages of the chemical developing process, negative storage, film scanners, and printing options.

ONLINE: Wed., July 5, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0WG; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Photo 101

Natural-Light Photography

Understand the essential basics of shooting in a naturallight setting as you learn to gauge the direction of light; recognize degree of diffusion; minimize (or emphasize) lens flare; control conditions with lens hoods; and identify the “golden hour.”

ONLINE: Thurs., July 6, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V00WH; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

The Joy of Photography

Create three different fibula pins, with a variety of bead and wire embellishments. The fibula is a versatile pin that can be straightforward or whimsical and has interchangeable components to match your favorite fall sweater or scarf. Previous wirework experience is helpful but not required.

By Mïa Vollkommer

ONLINE: Sat., Sept. 9, 11 a.m.; Mïa Vollkommer; details and supply list on website; CODE 1K0-0XW; Members $85; Nonmembers $95

Orchids for Beginners

This class is designed for beginners who want to learn how to use their digital or mirrorless camera as a creative tool. Students gain skill in technical aspects of photography so that they can concentrate on composing beautiful images. Topics include aperture, shutter speed, ISO, the exposure triangle, focal length, metering, white balance, and composition.

ONLINE: Mon., July 10–Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m.; Marty Kaplan; details on website; CODE 1V0-0WK; Members $185; Nonmembers $215

Join an orchid care expert to learn how orchids grow in their native environments and how to keep them blooming in your home. You also learn how to repot a Phalaenopsis orchid, one of the easiest orchids to raise indoors.

ONLINE: Wed., Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m.; Barbara Schmidt; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XX; Members $35; Nonmembers $45

Schlerianna Inflorescence Phalaenopsis

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.

Achieving Balanced Compositions in Photography

By Andargé Asfaw

Photo 101 Apertures, Shutter Speeds, and Exposure Modes

ONLINE: Tues., July 11–Aug. 15, 10:30 a.m.; Andargé Asfaw; details on website; CODE 1V0-0WL; Members $185; Nonmembers $215

Take command of your photographic vision as you learn the basics of your camera’s exposure functions. Learn to control the properties of your images through the understanding of apertures, shutter speeds, depth of field, shutter motion effects, equivalent exposures, and exposure modes.

ONLINE: Thurs., July 13, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0WR; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

101 Understanding ISO

ISO is the numerical value used by digital and film cameras to define the light sensitivity of the recording medium. In this workshop, learn how to match your ISO to your creative needs by minimizing noise; eliminating camera shake and freezing motion; pairing with fast or slow lenses; and assisting with tripod use.

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

By Joe Yablonsky

Balance is frequently mentioned as an attribute in painting, drawing, and design, but rarely in photography. Learn how to incorporate the concept of arranging positive and negative elements in space to achieve an aesthetically pleasing outcome into your previsualization process to obtain consistently stronger compositions.

ONLINE: Wed., July 26, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0WT; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

101 Exposures and Histograms

Histograms are a graphic display of the brightness levels of pixels in an image. For new photographers, they can be an essential guide to achieving the correct exposure. This workshop is a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of exposure and how to manipulate each element to positively affect your histogram.

ONLINE: Thurs., July 27, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0WU; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

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.

By Eliot Cohen

ONLINE: Sat., July 29 and Aug. 5; 9:30 a.m.; Eliot Cohen; details on website; CODE 1V0-0WV; Members $265; Nonmembers $285

Photo

Photo

Focus and Depth of Field

Gain a better understanding of focus modes, area modes, and hyperfocal distance and focusing. Learn the variables that contribute to depth of field, including fast lenses, depth-of-field tables, and the preview button.

ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 2 and 9, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0XG; Members $90; Nonmembers $110

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, and architecture.

By Joe Yablonsky

ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 3–17, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0XH; Members $125; Nonmembers $145

Introduction to Lightroom Classic

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.

ONLINE: Sat., Aug. 12 and Sun., Aug. 13; 9:30 a.m. Eliot Cohen; details on website; CODE 1V0-0WW; Members $275; Nonmembers $295

ONLINE

Introduction to iPhone Photography

Learn how to use a well-designed secondary camera app to help your iPhone camera create and capture more sophisticated images.

By Peggy Feerick

ONLINE: Sat., Sept. 30 and Sun., Oct. 1, 10 a.m.; Peggy Feerick; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XY; Members $80; Nonmembers $100

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Slow Shutter-Speed Photography

Slow things down as you learn to capture movement and low light scenes with longer shutter speeds. Topics covered include panning, zoom effect, intentional camera movement, tripods, drive modes, neutral density filters, and the camera settings required to take slow shutter-speed photos in bright light, low light, twilight, and night.

ONLINE: Wed., July 12 and 19, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0WQ; Members $90; Nonmembers $110

By Eliot Cohen

By Andargé Asfaw

Introduction to Photography II

Whether you work digitally or in film, this course is ideal for students who are familiar with their cameras but are interested in expanding their understanding of photography fundamentals. Sessions focus on lighting, composition, shooting techniques, and gear; photo-editing software is also discussed. Students must have a camera with manual controls and a tripod.

ONLINE: Wed., July 12–Aug. 16, 6:30 p.m.; Andargé Asfaw; details on website; CODE 1V0-0WP; Members $185; Nonmembers $215

The Gif t of Color

Limited-edition prints from the Smithsonian Associates Art Collectors Program capture brilliant and memorable worlds of color— and make great gifts for all occasions.

For details, visit ArtCollectorsProgram.org

Retail:

Members:

*Member pricing applies to Promoter level and above | For membership levels visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels

Hopi Eagle Dance by Dan Namingha (detail) Retail: $1200 Members: $900*

August Breakfast/Maine by Carolyn Brady (detail) Retail: $1200 Members: $800*

Children with Flowers by Elizabeth Catlett (detail) Retail: $1300 Members: $1075*

Red Geranium by Robert Kushner (detail) Retail: $1500 Members: $1200*

Blue Moonlight by April Gornik (detail) Retail: $1200 Members: $950*

Flowers For a Country by Mindy Weisel (detail) Retail: $1200 Members: $1000*

Piazza San Marco by LeRoy Neiman (detail)

$1200

$950*

Designed for people who want more than just a getaway, Smithsonian Associates expert-led Study Tours offer one-of-akind in-person experiences—no matter how far from home you travel. They’re the perfect way to learn more about the places and topics that fascinate you, and you’re sure to discover plenty of new favorites along the way.

Please visit SmithsonianAssociates.org to view the FAQ on Health & Safety guidelines for in-person programs

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Andrew Wyeth and the Brandywine Valley

Bus Tour

Andrew Wyeth had a lifelong link to the rural beauty of Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley, with connections to both family and art. A day-long visit to the Brandywine Museum of Art led by art historian Bonita Billman brings that personal landscape to life and offers an opportunity to view an exhibition of Wyeth’s works featuring many pieces that have not been exhibited before.

“Andrew Wyeth: Home Places” presents nearly 50 paintings and drawings of local buildings that inspired Wyeth time and again over 7 decades of his career. Among the previously unexhibited works are the early oil The Miller’s Son, painted when Wyeth was just 17 years old, and the watercolor Noah’s Ark Study, made at age 87—both depicting the same property, Brinton’s Mill.

Travel offsite to see Andrew Wyeth’s nearby studio, where he produced thousands of works of art from 1940 to 2008, and enjoy a boxed lunch at the museum’s Millstone Cafe.

Sat., July 1, 7:15 a.m.–7 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-016; Members $175; Nonmembers $225

Walking Tour

U Street

Shaped by History, Musical Legends, and Relative Newcomers

The U Street, NW, neighborhood has long been a vibrant corridor for the rich social, civic, and cultural life of Washington’s African American community. Join local guide Lynn O’Connell on a walking tour that focuses on the neighborhood’s history.

Begin at the African American Civil War Memorial, which honors the more than 200,000 African American soldiers and sailors who served during the Civil War. Then see sites for which U Street was dubbed the Black Broadway—including the legendary Howard Theatre and the Lincoln Theatre, which featured headliners such as Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and D.C.-born Duke Ellington.

Along the way, learn about the riots that started on April 4, 1968, following the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Traverse the area known as Little Ethiopia, and discover murals featuring such history makers as Ellington and go-go legend Chuck Brown.

THREE OPTIONS: Sun., July 9 (CODE 1CS-A08); Tues., July 11 (CODE 1CS-B08); Thurs., July 20 (CODE 1CS-C08), 6–8 p.m.; detailed tour information on website; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Noah's Ark Study, by Andrew Wyeth (Collection of the Wyeth Foundation for American Art © Andrew Wyeth/Artists Rights Society)

The Latest Buzz on Bees

Bees are nearly ubiquitous worldwide, busily pollinating on every continent except Antarctica. There are nearly 20,000 known bee species, and 4,000 of them are native to the United States. The Mid-Atlantic alone has nearly 500 species of native bees. Spend the day at three labs that research and support native bees and honeybees.

Begin the day at the United States Geological Survey’s Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab with wildlife biologist Sam Droege, who develops identification methods and conducts surveys of native bee species.

Then visit the University of Maryland’s Bee Lab to get up close and personal with honeybees. Suit up before visiting the onsite colonies with the Bee Squad, Karen Rennich and Mark Dykes. Learn about bee husbandry and the lab’s research on honeybee health and reducing colony losses.

After lunch at a local restaurant, spend the afternoon at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Bee Research Laboratory with entomologist Jay Evans for an inside look at the lab’s research on honeybee diseases. What exactly do busy bees do in their hive? Find out when you visit a glass observation hive.

Fri., July 14, 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; CODE 1CD-017; by bus; detailed tour information on website; Members $150; Nonmembers $200

Related program: Alien Worlds (see p. 27)

A Berkshires Summer Sampler

A popular summer retreat for Bostonians and New Yorkers for well over 150 years, the scenic and historic Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts are alive with music, art, and theater. Arts journalist Richard Selden leads a five-day tour that offers a splendid sampling of cultural attractions in the region, from writers’ historic homes to outstanding museums to music and theater performances.

Destinations with literary connections include Herman Melville’s evocative Pittsfield farmhouse, Arrowhead, and Edith Wharton’s elegant Lenox estate, The Mount. Visit the Clark Art Institute in picture-perfect Williamstown; MASS MoCA, a collection of contemporary galleries in a 16-acre former industrial complex; and the first-rate art museums at Williams College and Yale University. Be part of the audience at two intimate chamber music venues, Music Mountain in western Connecticut and Yellow Barn in Putney, Vermont, as well as for a performance of Blues for an Alabama Sky at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

SOLD OUT

Sun., July 30, 6:30 a.m.–Thurs., Aug. 3, 9:30 p.m.; CODE 1CN-BER; by bus; detailed tour information on website; Members $2,050; Nonmembers $2,735

Andrena cornelli, female (USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Program)

The Yellow Barn, Putney, Vermont

The Night Café, 1888, by Vincent van Gogh, in the Yale University Art Gallery

MASS MoCA in North Adams

The Clark Institute of Art in Williamstown

5-Day Tour

Edith Wharton’s The Mount

I N SI DE S C I ENCE

Please visit SmithsonianAssociates.org to view the FAQ on Health & Safety guidelines for in-person programs

Walking Tour

Inside Smithsonian Libraries

The Cullman Library

The largest and most diversified museum library system in the world, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives holds more than 2 million items in a network of 21 library research centers and an institutional archive throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, New York, and Panama. These rich resources are used by Smithsonian curators, staff, researchers, and scholars, as well as members of the public.

Guided by outreach librarian Erin Rushing, visit the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History in the National Museum of Natural History for a rare look at this research library, typically open by appointment only.

Upon arrival, tour Smithsonian Libraries and Archives’ newest exhibition, “Nature of the Book,” with the conservators who curated it. The exhibition focuses on books of the handpress era (from about 1450 to the 19th century) through the natural materials that went into making them.

This collection features contains approximately 10,000 rare volumes on the natural sciences, all published before 1840. Topics include botany, mineralogy, and zoology, and some of the books belonged to Smithsonian founder James Smithson.

TWO OPTIONS: Wed., Aug. 2, 9:30–11 a.m. (CODE 1CS-A09); Fri., Aug. 4, 9:30–11 a.m. (CODE 1CS-C09); detailed tour information on website; Members $40; Nonmembers $50

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Objects of Devotion

The Buddha Across Asia

Buddhism—and the art it inspired—helped shape the cultures of Asia. Today, its extraordinary art is a source of beauty and contemplation for audiences across the world. Join Robert DeCaroli, an art historian and specialist in the early history of Buddhism, as you spend the day exploring Buddhist and other Asian works of art in two major museum collections in the region.

Begin at the National Museum of Asian Art for a look at the museum’s holdings, focusing on objects showcasing the Buddha’s life story and early devotional practices as well as the schools and visual forms that developed in East Asia. Explore the permanent collections with museum docents and DeCaroli, cocurator of the Smithsonian’s recent exhibition, “Encountering the Buddha.”

After lunch, visit the Walters Art Museum’s newly installed “Across Asia: Arts of Asia and the Islamic World.” A private tour of the exhibition highlights the Buddhist art collection while exploring cultures and spiritual traditions across Asia.

While traveling by bus between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, DeCaroli provides insights and answers questions generated by the day’s experiences.

Thurs., Aug. 3; 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; CODE 1CD-018; by bus; detailed tour information on website; Members $155; Nonmembers $205 Related program: The Art of India: From the Indus Valley to Independence (see p. 29)

Leslie Overstreet reviews a volume in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which she heads

Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room (detail) from the Alice S. Kandell Collection, National Museum of Asian Art

SMITHSONIAN LIBRARIES

Bus Tour

Namikawa Sosuke (Japanese, 1847–1910), Bowl with Chrysanthemum Blossoms, ca. 1900, Walters Art Museum

Architecture on the Nation’s Front Lawn

Walking Tour

Pierre L’Enfant’s 1791 plan for the National Mall envisioned a grand “public walk.” By 1900, that plan had been stymied and ignored. The far-reaching and critically influential McMillan Plan of 1902 reinterpreted the ceremonial core of the city, and much of what we see on the Mall today reflects that proposal.

Enjoy a morning walking tour and discover the Mall’s history, design, and architecture, from its earliest incarnation to the latest developments. Learn what happened to the museum park and the railroad station and its tracks and why the Mall does not align with compass directions.

Take in a wide range of architectural styles as you view the Smithsonian’s buildings—from the first permanent structure, the 1846 Castle, to the 2016 National Museum of African American History and Culture—as well as the National Gallery of Art and the Department of Agriculture. Styles range from the Castle’s Gothic Revival to the Arts and Industries Building’s exuberant Victorian architecture to the Natural History Museum’s Beaux Arts classicism. Compare the varied interpretations of Modernism expressed in the Hirshhorn Museum, American History Museum, Air and Space Museum, American Indian Museum, and African American History and Culture Museum. The tour concludes at the newest addition to the Mall, the Frank Gehry–designed Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial.

The tour leader is Bill Keene, a lecturer in history, urban studies, and architecture. THREE OPTIONS: Sat., Aug. 12, 8:30–11 a.m. (CODE 1CS-A10); Fri., Aug. 18, 8:30–11 a.m. (CODE 1CS-B10); Sun., Aug. 27, 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CS-C10); detailed tour information on website; Members $50; Nonmembers $70

Philadelphia: A Revolutionary City

Founded in 1682, Philadelphia has long played a critical role in American life and culture. Home to the First and Second Continental Congresses and chosen as the temporary capital, the city played a key role in America’s fight for independence and the formation of the United States. Join historian Denver Brunsman, an expert on Colonial and Revolutionary times, as you explore Philadelphia’s days as America’s former capital city.

Begin the day at the Museum of the American Revolution, located just off Independence Mall, for a guided tour of the collection and learn how soldiers, women, African Americans, Native Americans, children, and others experienced the tumultuous events of the Revolution through the stories and objects left behind. Enjoy a lunch-and-learn session with museum educators discussing Philadelphia’s days as a Revolutionary city.

After lunch, visit Independence Hall and stand in the Assembly Room where, in 1776, the Continental Congress declared American independence from Great Britain and, in 1787, the United States Constitution was debated and signed. Look closely and you can spot the Rising Sun Chair that Washington sat in while presiding over the Constitutional Convention. Just blocks away from Independence Hall, tour the Powel House, home of Samuel and Elizabeth Powel, who hosted convention delegates in the evenings for entertainment and intellectual discussions. Elizabeth—well-educated and intelligent—would become one of Washington’s closest confidants before, during, and after his presidency.

Sun., Sept. 10, 7:15 a.m.–8 p.m.; CODE 1CD-020; by bus; detailed tour information on website; Members $215; Nonmembers $265

National Museum of African American History and Culture

ALAN KARCHMER

Independence Hall in Philadelphia

Bus Tour

Historic Chestertown

With a Cruise on the Schooner Sultana

Enjoy a full day discovering the Chesapeake Bay and its environs. The Sultana was a Boston-built merchant vessel that served for four years as the smallest schooner ever in the British Royal Navy. A 2 ½-hour cruise on a replica of the vessel is part of regional historian Hayden Mathews’ exploration of the rich heritage of Chestertown in Kent County, the oldest county on the Eastern Shore. On land, Chris Cerino, Chestertown’s former mayor, leads a walking tour of the town’s National Register Historic District, which includes many restored Georgian-style homes.

TWO OPTIONS: Sun., Sept. 10 (CODE 1ND-A05); Sun., Sept. 17 (CODE 1ND-B05); 7:45 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; Members $210; Nonmembers $260

Sunrise Hikes at Great Falls, Virginia

Located just 15 miles outside Washington, the Great Falls of the Potomac is the most magnificent natural landmark in the metropolitan area. Rise early on an early-fall morning, avoid the crowds, and enjoy a small-group experience in the great outdoors with naturalist Keith Tomlinson.

The excursions at Great Falls National Park include a hike past Great Falls and into Mather Gorge, two of the area’s most remarkable geologic features. Learn the natural history of the area’s forest, observe a variety of birds, and learn about the effect of local land-use patterns on conservation efforts along the Potomac. The hike covers about 3 miles of hilly walking and rocky trails.

THREE OPTIONS: Sat., Sept. 23 (CODE 1NS-A02); Sun., Sept. 24 (CODE 1NS-B02); Fri., Sept. 29 (CODE 1NS-C02); 6:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.; detailed tour information on website; Members $55; Nonmembers $75

Booth’s Escape Route

Fleeing Ford’s Theatre on the night of April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth traveled through Maryland into Virginia, where, a few days later, he was found and fatally shot. Historian Michael Kauffman retraces Booth’s escape route and reveals the personalities and intrigues surrounding the Lincoln assassination.

Stops include Ford’s Theatre; the house near Clinton, Maryland, belonging to Mary Surratt, who was hanged for her involvement in the plot; and the house of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, who set Booth’s broken leg.

Enjoy a seafood lunch at Captain Billy’s Crab House at Popes Creek Landing, near where Booth and co-conspirator David Edgar Herold crossed the Potomac. In Virginia, visit sites where they contacted local sympathizers and where Booth was captured and died.

Sat., Sept. 23, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; CODE 1CD-021; by bus; detailed tour information on website; Members $170; Nonmembers $220

A reproduction of the 1768 schooner Sultana under full sail on the upper Chesapeake Bay

Great Falls at sunrise

Interior of Ford’s Theatre

Please visit SmithsonianAssociates.org to view the FAQ on Health & Safety guidelines for in-person programs

Walking Tour

Dupont Circle and Embassy Row

During the late 1800s, Washington’s movers and shakers strolled the streets of Dupont Circle, where Massachusetts Avenue was the city’s premier residential address. Heiresses, industrial magnates, newspaper tycoons, and political elites built opulent mansions along the avenue, in architectural styles including Neoclassical, Beaux Arts, and Queen Anne. Designed to entertain and impress, these homes were filled with the finest artwork and furnishings money could buy.

However, this lavish lifestyle collapsed during the Great Depression, after which many of these magnificent mansions were sold and converted into embassies, social clubs, and offices. Join Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, on a walk through the neighborhood for views of grand homes such as the Walsh-McLean House (now the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia), Townsend House (now the Cosmos Club), Woodrow Wilson House (now a museum), and Franklin Delano Roosevelt House (now the residence of the ambassador of Mali).

THREE OPTIONS: Sat., Sept. 23, 1–3 p.m. (CODE 1CS-A11); Sun., Sept. 24, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CS-B11); Fri., Sept. 29, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CS-C11); detailed tour information on website; Members $45; Nonmembers $55 Related program: From Millionaires Row to Embassy Row (see p. 6)

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Met’s Magnificent Cloisters Museum and Gardens

Even if it weren’t the branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to medieval art, the Cloisters’ location alone would inspire. It rises from a promontory high above the Hudson River, in Fort Tryon Park on the northern tip of Manhattan. The cliffs of the New Jersey Palisades are visible on the opposite shore.

The Cloisters’ architectural elements—including chapels, sections of monastic cloisters, and chapter house—date from the 12th through 15th centuries. They were brought from various sites in France and reconstructed between 1935 and 1938, when the museum opened to the public.

Its collections comprise medieval objects such as the illuminated book the Belles Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry; exquisite stained glass chapel windows; stone sculptures; painted icons; and a carved ivory cross. The Treasury exhibit space houses priceless pieces meant for liturgical celebrations, personal devotions, and secular uses.

Begin with a guided tour of the galleries, where you can view the allegorical Unicorn Tapestries, and the three gardens, which focus on horticulture in medieval Europe and were planted following medieval designs. Free time is available to wander through serene interior spaces or to sit and contemplate in one of the gardens.

Art historian Ursula Wolfman leads the tour.

Fri., Sept. 29, 7 a.m.–9:45 p.m.; CODE 1CD-022; by bus; detailed tour information on website; Members $230; Nonmembers $280

Bus Tour

Unicorn Tapestries at the Cloisters

Exploring Frank Lloyd Wright

Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, and Polymath Park

One of America’s most innovative architects, Frank Lloyd Wright experimented with new ways to design homes and integrate them into nature. Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, and the houses at Polymath Park offer prime examples of his organic architecture. Visit all three locations on an overnight tour to the scenic Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, which is especially lovely colored in its autumnal palette. Tour leader Bill Keene, a writer and lecturer on architecture, urban history, and city planning, has a special interest in Wright.

Fallingwater, perhaps the architect’s best-known structure, was designed in 1936 as a mountain retreat for the Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh. Cantilevered over a waterfall, the home is one of the most dramatic and frequently photographed works of architecture. It is also the only major Wright house with its setting, original furnishings, and artworks intact. And it is one of 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States.

Constructed of Tidewater red cypress and native fieldstone, the house on Kentuck Knob almost appears to be part of the mountain on which it is built. It was designed by Wright in 1953 for the I.N. Hagan family and now houses furnishings and art of the current owners, Lord Peter and Lady Hayat Palumbo.

At historic Polymath Park near Fallingwater, view two houses designed for everyday living in the 1950s: the Usonian-style Duncan House and the Mäntylä House, both of which were relocated here.

Sun., Oct. 1, 7:15 a.m.–Mon., Oct. 2, 6 p.m.; CODE 1CN-FLW; by bus; detailed tour information on website; Members $535; Nonmembers $685

5-Day Tour

Theodore Roosevelt’s North Dakota Badlands, Bison, and the Making of a Conservationist

In 1883, Theodore Roosevelt looked to the Badlands of western North Dakota as a place where he could transform himself from an asthmatic 24-year-old New Yorker into a biggame hunter, rancher, and authentic cowboy. A year later, it took on new meaning as a place of refuge and solace after the deaths of his wife and mother.

Over the course of the more than three decades he lived or visited there, the Badlands did indeed transform Roosevelt into the kind of vigorous outdoorsman that he’d idealized as a youth—and that shaped his public image as president. Perhaps more importantly, this corner of the West turned him into a passionate conservationist dedicated to the preservation of the rugged landscapes and native wildlife of the place he described as “where the romance of my life began.”

Experience those landscapes—filled with dramatic vistas, vividly colored canyons, and wandering herds of wild bison—on a 5-day study tour led by author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley that brings you into the heart of Roosevelt’s Badlands and the national park that bears his name.

Sat., Oct. 7, 6 p.m.–Wed., Oct. 11, midday; CODE 1CN-NDK; detailed tour information on website; Members $1,865; Nonmembers $2,215; NOTE: Tour participants meet on site and are responsible for their own airfare.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Downtown Medora, North Dakota

Kentuck Knob

Fallingwater

Please visit SmithsonianAssociates.org to view the FAQ on Health & Safety guidelines for in-person programs

4-Day Tour

The Corning Museum of Glass: An Insider’s Adventure

Get a crystal-clear view of the history, art, and science of making glass at the Corning Museum of Glass. A four-day trip offers participants an insider’s experience and includes curator-conducted sessions and tours.

Curatorial staff members lead the group through more than 3,500 years of glassmaking history in the Ancient Glass, European Glass, and Contemporary Glass galleries. The newest special exhibition, “Dig Deeper: Discovering an Ancient Glass Workshop,” spotlights insights into ancient glassblowing and glassmaking through the presentation of artifacts from a 4th-century glass workshop discovered in Jalame, Israel. Afterward, explore the many ways glass touches wine as it travels from the grape to your goblet in “Fire and Vine: The Story of Glass and Wine.” Take a guided tour of the Contemporary Art + Design Wing. Its 26,000-square-foot gallery— where a sophisticated system of diffused skylights supplies most of the lighting—is the world’s largest space dedicated to the display of contemporary art and design in glass.

A conservator leads participants behind the scenes to look at the work of the conservation lab. The group also is welcomed to the Rakow Research Library, the world’s foremost library on the art, history, and science of glass and glassmaking. Meet with collections and exhibits specialists to explore how the museum manages and displays its collections.

At the Innovation Center, learn about the science and technology behind innovations in glass through hands-on exhibits. Experience the fire and flow of glassmaking as you view a demonstration at the stateof-the-art Amphitheater Hot Shop. Included with your visit is the opportunity to try your hand at a seasonal glassmaking project, working one-on-one with artisans.

Wed., Nov. 1, 7 a.m.–Sat., Nov. 4, 8:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CNCOR; Members $1,180; Nonmembers $1,580

Smithsonian Art Collectors presents

The Art of Philip Guston

Inscapes: Words and Images was a 1976 city-wide festival held in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the collaboration of poetry and visual arts. To commemorate the festival, the Smithsonian commissioned Guston and poet Stanley Kunitz to create this collaborative work inspired by and featuring one of Kunitz's poems.

Philip Guston Now is on view through August 27 at the National Gallery of Art.

Inscapes: Words and Images, 1977 Poster | Retail: $35; Member: $20*

*Member pricing applies to Promoter level and above For membership levels visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels

Contemporary Art + Design Wing

Behind the scenes at Rakow Research Library

Innovation Center Optics Gallery

The Corning Museum of Glass exterior

Outdoor Adventures in Shenandoah National Park

Virginia’s fabled Skyline Drive weaves through the length of Shenandoah National Park, one of the region’s top draws for hikers. In a two-day active getaway designed for outdoor lovers, meet up and explore the Blue Ridge trails at the height of their fall beauty and stay at a historic lodge on Skyline Drive that offers magnificent panoramic views of the mountain landscapes. Naturalist and study leader Keith Tomlinson leads two moderate-level hikes in the park and presents an engaging evening program that offers insights into the area’s history, geography, geology, wildlife, and forest environment. Pack your hiking gear, meet on site, and experience the natural splendor of fall in an unforgettable way.

Sun,. Oct. 15, 11 a.m.–Mon., Oct. 16, 4 p.m.; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1NNSNP; Members $510; Nonmembers $680

2-Day Tour

Jewels of Queens

Arts journalist Richard Selden continues his series of overnight trips to New York City’s outer boroughs with this visit to the largest of all, Queens—home of the Mets, the U.S. Open, and two of the metropolitan area’s three major airports.

Among the jewels on the itinerary are Flushing Meadows Corona Park, site of the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs; the Museum of the Moving Image, a movie and television museum located in the historic (and reborn) Astoria Studio complex; the Noguchi Museum, where the full range of the Modernist sculptor’s work is displayed; and the Louis Armstrong House Museum. To sample the borough’s international cuisine, an Asian lunch in Flushing and a Greek dinner in Astoria are included.

The overnight accommodations spotlight one of the borough’s newest jewels: the TWA Hotel. Eero Saarinen’s landmark 1962 TWA Flight Center at Idlewild (now JFK) Airport has been restored and reimagined as a first-class hotel that celebrates the Jet Age glamour of the 1960s.

Sun., Nov. 12, 7 a.m.–Mon., Nov. 13, 9:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1NN-QUE; Members $675; Nonmembers $835

Unisphere, Flushing Meadows

TWA Hotel

Expand Your World: Join

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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.

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

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

Program Planner (New listings in red); (In-person programs•)

Courses,

Lectures and Seminars—Single Session

HELPFUL I NFORMATION

Program Planner (New listings in red); (In-person programs•) Studio

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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

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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.

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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.