Smithsonian Associates July 2024 program guide

Dear Friends and Members,

The red-white-and-bluest month of the year is the ideal time to reflect on our national history and how our country’s leaders—and its citizens—have shaped it. July’s guide offers a whole parade of fascinating programs on the subject.

Lead off with an exploration of the tumultuous years between 1763 and 1776 and the extraordinary events that turned loyal British colonies into a united confederation willing to go to war to achieve independence (p. 15).

Examine the legacies of some of the figures who shaped America’s early identity, including presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams (p. 6) as well as the political (and now Broadway) headliner Alexander Hamilton (p. 10).

Trace how the two-party system developed during the early decades of the nation’s existence, when going to the polls could be a haphazard, confusing, and even risky undertaking (p. 14).

Take a close look at an election whose outcome would define the nation’s future: the 1864 faceoff between incumbent Abraham Lincoln and former General George B. McClellan (p. 11).

Discover the hidden stories of America’s first ladies in a program that surveys some of the familiar and lesser-known women who called 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home (p. 7). Pat Nixon remains one of the most mysterious of these public figures, and her biographer contrasts her portrayal in the media with the reality of who she was (p. 7).

Where can presidents escape the pressures of the office? Find out why for many the answer was aboard a ship (p. 3). Whether you’re spending your summer at sea or on shore, we hope you’ll make Smithsonian Associates’ programs a part of it.

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. Please visit SmithsonianAssociates.org to

Kathy Reichs

Kathy Reichs: Fire and Bones Mon., Aug. 5

Forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs is known for her crime novels chronicling the adventures of Temperance “Bones” Brennan, a forensic anthropologist at the fictional Jeffersonian Institute. Join her as she discusses the inspiration behind her latest, Fire and Bones, which centers on a Washington arson investigation that produces a surprising link to the notorious Depression-era Foggy Bottom Gang. (see p. 20)

Why We Love Football

Wed., Sept. 18

Sports columnist Joe Posnanski uses his new book, Why We Love Football, to kick off reminiscences about pivotal moments in the sport. He’s joined by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and veteran Washington Post football reporter Len Shapiro for a lively conversation about the sport moderated by Phil Hochberg, longtime stadium announcer for the Washington Football Team. (see p. 25)

Spotlight on DC’s Stages

Mon., Sept. 23

Join Amy Austin, president and CEO of Theatre Washington, dramaturg Lauren Halversen, and a panel of experts as they explore the exciting lineup of productions awaiting audiences on stages both large and small and how to make the most of their theater-going experience. Take home a curated list of the most-anticipated productions, complete with critics’ picks of shows not to be missed. Hosted in partnership with Theatre Washington (see p. 25)

Studio Arts

Let your creative side shine in a wide variety of hands-on classes led by professional artists. (see pp. 43–45)

Tours

Our expert-led tours offer one-of-a-kind travel experiences. (see pp. 52–60)

Our programs...your time

Registered for a Smithsonian Associates online program but missed it because of a schedule conflict? Wish you could take a second look at a presentation you loved? Associates Encores offers the answer to these questions—and more.

Joe Posnanski

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

Visions of Cuba: A Photographic Tale

Pulitzer Prize–winning photojournalist Essdras M Suarez leads a visual tour of two of Cuba’s most captivating cities: Havana and Trinidad. Suarez’s street photos document Havana’s rich history and resilient spirit, while his shots of Trinidad evoke its charm through cobblestone lanes and pastel adobes. In photographs that reveal the cultural tapestry of Havana and the timeless allure of Trinidad, Suarez captures the deep connection between their inhabitants and their environments.

Tues., July 2, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-090; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Ships of State: Presidents at Sea

The allure of the sea has long captivated some of America’s most notable leaders. Whether aboard naval vessels or exploring wild coastal landscapes, Theodore Roosevelt found solace and inspiration in the vast waters. Franklin D. Roosevelt, facing the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II, sought respite aboard his beloved presidential yacht, the USS Potomac.

John F. Kennedy, a seasoned sailor and keen strategist, embraced the sea as a recreational escape, a source of comfort, and an incubator of his ideas and policies. And George H.W. Bush, a decorated Navy pilot and lifelong enthusiast of maritime pursuits, cherished moments spent sailing along the rugged Maine coast.

Veteran White House correspondent and historian Ken Walsh traces the history of presidents and their relationships to the sea and considers how it served as a backdrop for reflection and decision-making.

Thurs., July 11, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-056; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Great Hunger: The Irish Potato Famine

The potato famine of 1845–1849 led to the death of a million people and the emigration of a million more, reducing the population of Ireland by roughly one quarter. Historian Jennifer Paxton explores the origins of the famine in the difficult economic and political circumstances in which many people in the countryside were dependent on the potato for subsistence.

She also examines the controversy over the degree to which the British government can be held responsible for the disaster and the impact of the famine on the Irish landscape and culture; the Irish diaspora that spread resentment of British rule to North America and beyond; and the legacy of the famine in Ireland and around the world today.

Thurs., July 18, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-330; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

President Kennedy at the wheel of the U.S. Coast Guard yacht Manitou

Engraving of emigrants leaving Ireland by Henry Doyle, 1868

Images: Courtesy of Essdras M Suarez

Cities of the Bible

From Athens to Jerusalem to Babylon, understanding the Bible means understanding the cities and cultures that produced it. The story of these centers—their history, their archaeology, their mysteries, the inhabitants, and the people who later excavated there—is also the story of the Bible itself.

Weaving together biblical archaeology, history, and personal experience, Robert Cargill, assistant professor of classics and religious studies at the University of Iowa, leads a fascinating tour through Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Qumran, Babylon, Athens, Alexandria, and Rome to reveal how their stories shed new light on the Bible.

Thurs., July 18, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-820; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Why They Matter

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the late 1940s and early 1950s forever changed the study of ancient Judaism and early Christianity. As additional documents surfaced and archaeological fieldwork continued, the understanding of these religious traditions came into greater focus.

Dead Sea Scrolls scholar Gary Rendsburg describes the discovery of these precious manuscripts, what we know about their origins, the controversies surrounding them, and their influence on the development of both ancient Judaism and early Christianity.

Tues., Aug. 27, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-334; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Court Life in 17th-Century London

A Visitor’s Guide

For centuries, the royal court in London was the political, social, and cultural headquarters of the nation. Anybody who was anybody—or who wanted to see somebody or be somebody—attended court. And at its center was the sought-after figure who could make or break the great and the good: the sovereign.

Historian Robert Bucholz evokes the experience of being present in a drawing room at Hampton Court Palace at the end of the Stuart Age. A formal gathering there was a glittering stage where guests could increase their power, consolidate their families’ importance, and share gossip and tales of palace intrigues—all with the goal of capturing the eye of the ruler.

Thurs., July 25, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-821; Members $20, Nonmembers $25

Daily Life in Tudor London

The Tudor dynasty (1485–1603) spanned just three generations of monarchs, but each left an indelible mark on the character of London. The city on the Thames bustled with the daily life of common people living in a rapidly evolving world simultaneously shaped by— and conforming to—the revolutionary changes in government, culture, and religion that ushered in early-modern England and left a legacy for the entire English-speaking world.

Historian Cheryl White examines the role that London played in securing the Tudor dynasty and illuminates this extraordinary era by looking through the lens of the ordinary Londoners who worked its docks and shops, paid taxes to the Crown, and spent their everyday lives in one of the greatest cities of the world.

Thurs., Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-333; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The ceiling of the Great Hall of Hampton Court Palace

PHOTO BY DAVID ILIFF.

Temple Scroll, column 23, one of the longest of the Dead Sea Scrolls, 2nd century B.C.E.

Inside the Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem

The Battle of Remagen

A

Pivotal Moment in WWII

General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the March 7, 1945, capture of the bridge at Remagen “one of those bright opportunities of the war.” The Rhine River was the last natural barrier left open to Germany’s heartland. As Allied troops advanced, the only bridge still spanning the river was the Ludendorff railroad bridge at Remagen.

The 9th U.S. Armored Division took control of the strategically vital bridge only minutes before German forces had planned to destroy the Rhine crossing. What followed was an intense and extended battle: Could American troops cross and thwart the German efforts to blow up the bridge? Military historian Mitch Yockelson examines how this pivotal action ultimately shortened the war in Europe.

Mon., July 29, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-822; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Live from Poland

Krakow: Off the Beaten Path

Home of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Krakow is also known for beautiful, ancient architecture, tempting restaurants, and fun festivals. But tour guide and author Christopher Skutela leads you off the beaten path in the city, revealing sites where tourists don’t tend to go. Explore historic neighborhoods, one of the hidden health resorts in Poland, and a former socialist utopia district. Then get a breath of fresh air at Kosciuszko Mound and Bielany Hermitage and Woods.

Mon., July 29, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-381; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Wars of the Roses

Family Feud, Plantagenet Style

Long before royal exploits were splashed across the tabloids, England’s ruling family played out their dramas on the national stage during the mid-to-late 15th century. The heirs of Edward III fought a series of battles that came to be known as the Wars of the Roses. With cousins challenging cousins, brothers turning against brothers, and an uncle locking nephews in the Tower of London, this clan seems tailor-made for peak television.

Tudor and Renaissance scholar Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger looks at the battles between the houses of Lancaster and York from the inside out, revealing the truth behind Shakespeare’s warning in Henry IV, Part 2, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”

Tues., July 30, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-332; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Women of the Wars of the Roses

The Wars of the Roses, a series of 15th-century battles between the houses of York and Lancaster for the crown of England, was a domestic drama that saw the Plantagenet family locked in years of in-fighting over control of the country. Though the story usually focuses on the men who fought, died on the battlefield, or survived to take the crown, some of its main personalities were queens, princesses, and duchesses—remarkable women who publicly and privately exerted the influence and wielded the power that shaped the conflict.

Tudor and Renaissance scholar Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger introduces seven wives, mothers, and sisters who helped spin and shred the web of conspiracies that blanketed the English throne: Margaret of Burgundy, Marguerite of Anjou, Margaret Beaufort, Cecily and Anne Neville, Elizabeth Woodville, and Elizabeth of York.

Thurs., Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-344; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

9th Armored Division with the original sign they posted on the Ludendorff Bridge, 1945

Kosciuszko Mound monument in Krakow

Miniature of the Battle of Tewkesbury, late 15th century

Thomas Jefferson and the Nuances of Leadership

Thomas Jefferson, primary author of the Declaration of Independence and our third president, has been called the architect of American democracy. However, his legacy has been seriously questioned in large part because he participated in the foul institution of American slavery, owning over 600 people during his lifetime. Historian John Ragosta examines the question of what a wealthy, white, slave-owning aristocrat has to teach us about the nature of American leadership, especially political leadership.

Wed., July 31, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-377; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Making the Presidency

The Leadership and Legacy of John Adams

The United States of 1797 faced enormous challenges. George Washington left his vice president, John Adams—who had never held an executive position—with relatively little guidance and impossible expectations to meet. As president, Adams was confronted with intense partisan divides, debates over citizenship, fears of political violence, potential for foreign conflict with France and Britain, and a nation unsure that the presidency could even work without Washington at the helm.

Lindsay M. Chervinsky

Drawing on her new book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic, historian Lindsay M. Chervinsky explores the critical second U.S. presidency, illustrating the unique challenges faced by Adams and examining how he shaped the office for his successors.

Making the Presidency (Oxford University Press) is available for purchase.

Mon., Sept. 16, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-498; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Denmark’s Defiance

Protecting a Nation’s Jews During WWII

In 1943, most of occupied Europe was hunkered down against the Nazis. The people of Denmark—led by King Christian X—dared to stand up for their Jewish citizens in one of the largest actions of collective resistance to aggression in the countries occupied by Germany. Hitler ordered the arrest and deportation of Denmark’s 8,200 Jews on October 1, which coincided with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Remarkably, when the Nazis arrived to collect them, virtually all were “gone.” Amazingly, the Danish people hid, protected, and then smuggled most of the country’s Jewish population out of the country, using anything that floated to ferry them to safety in Sweden. Ultimately, over 95% of Danish Jews survived the Holocaust. Historian Ralph Nurnberger recounts this extraordinary act of courage on the part of an entire nation under severe duress.

Mon., Aug. 5, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-057; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

The daily ride through Copenhagen by King Christian X became a symbol of Danish sovereignty during the German occupation

The Hidden History of America’s First Ladies

The role is unpaid and undefined, yet many women serving as First Lady made pivotal contributions that helped shape the United States. From early trailblazers, like Dolley Madison, to those in the role who are less well-known, like Harriet Lane, explore how first ladies can be the definition of persistence and perseverance. Uncover forgotten legacies, such as that of Helen Taft, who helped bring the iconic Japanese cherry trees to the Tidal Basin.

Join staff from A Tour Of Her Own to hear stories of America’s first ladies, not often recognized with physical monuments but ingrained in the fabric of history.

Tues., Aug. 6, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-045; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon

Pat Nixon was voted Most Admired Woman in the World in 1972 and made the Gallup Poll’s top 10 list of most admired women 14 times. And yet the media often portrayed her as elusive and enigmatic. Drawing on new interviews with Nixon family members, friends, and staff for her new book, The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon, Heath Hardage Lee examines a figure who bore little resemblance to the woman so often described in the press.

Lee discusses the essential nature of this first lady, an empathetic, adventurous, self-made woman who wanted no power or influence but who connected warmly with both ordinary Americans and people from different cultures she encountered worldwide.

Copies of The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon: The Life and Times of Washington’s Most Private First Lady (St. Martin’s Press) are available for purchase.

Tues., Aug. 20, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-589; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Unique Memorials of Washington

Sitting in the long shadow of the Washington Monument is one of the oddest and most obscure landmarks on the National Mall. The Jefferson Pier, a 3-foot-tall stone marker, stands due west of the monument in the middle of a grassy field. This diminutive structure marks what our third president hoped would be the center of the world.

Just to the south, nestled among cherry trees is a small 170-year-old Japanese stone pagoda. And hidden among the grand neoclassical buildings and government offices along Pennsylvania Avenue is a longneglected fountain, a testament to the sordid past of a neighborhood once known as “Murder Bay.” Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, surveys the capital’s most distinctive, surprising, and little-known monuments, memorials, and landmarks.

Wed., Aug. 7, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-096; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

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.

Mrs. James Madison by Bass Otis, 1817

Pat Nixon, 1972

Japanese pagoda on the Potomac River Tidal Basin

The Borgias

A Scandalous Family Portrait

The Borgias—a family synonymous with murder, rape, incest, and torture—have been immortalized by historians, authors, and a pair of dueling series on Showtime and Sky. But was it all sex, simony, and scandal?

Art historian Elizabeth Lev frames their story in the context of a society rife with artistic highs and the lows of such notable figures as Savonarola and Machiavelli. She highlights the family’s political aspirations, religious conflicts, and particularly their fascinating artistic commissions—which, despite their extraordinary beauty, could not redeem the reputation of the Borgias—as well as the surprising epilogue to the clan’s inevitable downfall.

Wed., Aug. 7, 12 p.m.; CODE 1H0-824; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The California Gold Rush

The Gold Rush radically altered the development and course of history for California, the United States, and the world. Sparked by the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in early 1848, it was the impetus behind one of the largest voluntary migrations of people in U.S. history. It accelerated industrial and agricultural development, provided routes to personal and economic freedom, and facilitated California’s rapid transition into statehood.

But the discovery of gold also had severe negative impacts: The Indigenous population and non-white immigrants faced severe abuse and discrimination, and many forms of mining compromised the environment. Katy Bartosh of California’s Gold Rush Museum examines the period and discusses how the zeitgeist of the Gold Rush in many ways epitomizes what came to be known as the American Dream.

Thurs., Aug. 8, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-587; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Presidio of San Francisco

The Presidio encompasses more history than any other site within San Francisco. It was also the longest-operating Army base in the country when it shuttered in 1994. Historian John Martini unfolds its story that encompasses Spanish colonial settlers, 1906 earthquake refugees, more than 140 years of U.S. Army history, and the dizzying variety of military architecture found throughout the post. He also offers insights into its ongoing preservation efforts and why the Presidio’s 30-year transition “from post to park” has become a model for the conversion of former military sites into public spaces.

Thurs., Aug. 8, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV097; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The Spice Race

The West’s Enduring Obsession with Asia

Starting in the 15th century, Europeans embarked on dangerous maritime voyages to reach Asia. The Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, French, and British competed to acquire spices like pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom, as well as porcelain, silks, tea, and other treasures from Asia. The great names of Western exploration were driven to find new and faster routes to India, China, and other Asian sources of alluring commodities.

In this quest to obtain goods from abroad, Europe built empires, established colonies, and left virtually no corner of the globe untouched. Writer and former foreign correspondent Adam Tanner examines why this historic Western focus on Asia is essential to understanding our world today.

Thurs., Aug. 8, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-095; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Afonso de Albuquerque, viceroy of Portuguese India, 16th century

A Glass of Wine with Caesar Borgia by John Collier, 1893

Soldiers parade before the Montgomery Steet barracks in the Presidio as officers look on

The Rise and Fall of Agrippina

Empress of Rome, Mother of Nero

Agrippina the Younger emerges from history as an ambitious political strategist and a ruthless killer. Her rise to power is remarkable: Her mother and father were murdered when she was a child and her own brother, the emperor Caligula, abused and exiled her. And yet, Agrippina developed an impressive web of political alliances— securing a return to the center of Roman politics by her early 30s. Ancient sources seem to both admire Agrippina’s power and guile and question her methods, expressing suspicion at the many convenient deaths that paved the way for her ascendance as Roman empress. Historian Colin Elliott leads a fascinating exploration of Agrippina and the complexities of her legacy— forever intertwined with the rise and fall of Nero—and her impact on the history of ancient Rome.

Grant’s Overland Campaign

A Portrait in Command

Ulysses S. Grant’s rise during the four years of the American Civil War was nothing less than meteoric, and a critical part of his successes was his ability to communicate his strategic vision to his subordinates.

Historian Christopher Hamner uses Grant’s often-overlooked 1864 Overland Campaign as a window into his special gift for clear communication. As commander of a team of officers spread across multiple theaters, including the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, he provided his lieutenants with plans that outlined precise goals for their operations while also affording them the latitude to exploit opportunities as they arose. Grant’s effectiveness as a commander and communicator proved crucial in driving the Union toward its overall victory the following year.

Wed., Aug. 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-500; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Mon., Aug. 12, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-060; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Maya of Yucatan

Ancient Monuments, Modern Lives

The Classic Maya city-states of Central America that flourished from the 3rd through the 9th centuries famously “collapsed” in the 9th and 10th. However, in the distinctive environment of the Yucatan Peninsula the Maya experienced a greater continuity, and a resurgent Post-Classic Maya culture arose that persisted uninterruptedly until the incursion of the Spanish in the 16th century. Cultural historian George Scheper leads a virtual excursion to the most storied ancient Maya sites of Yucatan and considers the historical persistence of Maya cultural life through the impacts of the Spanish colonial period, Mexican sovereignty, and contemporary international tourism.

Tues., Aug. 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-335; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

In the Footsteps of St. Paul

As the chief persecutor of believers in Jesus as the Messiah, Saul of Tarsus seemed the most unlikely candidate to become the lynchpin in establishing and shaping the early days of Christianity. But as the apostle Paul, he and his associates both spread and shaped the emerging theology and began to attract gentiles, or pagans, as well.

Ori Z. Soltes, a professor of Jewish civilization, focuses on the largely urban shape of Paul of Tarsus’ missionary activity and his evolving theology and examines this remarkable transformation against the backdrop of the pagan, Greek, Roman, and Judaean worlds in which he lived and worked.

Thurs., Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-825; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Castillo at Chichen Itza

Bust of Agrippina the Younger

General Grant at his headquarters in Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 1864

Saint Paul Preaching in Athens by Raphael, 1516

How Museums Got Their Treasures

It has become increasingly common for Western museums to be portrayed not as sites of preservation and education but rather as homes of works stolen by imperialist Westerners.

Drawing on his upcoming book, Plunder? How Museums Got Their Treasures, historian

Justin M. Jacobs challenges that perspective, providing an overview of the five primary channels through which Western museums acquired their artifacts: military plunder, diplomatic gifts, antiquity dealers, stationary excavations, and mobile expeditions. Only by better appreciating the historical context that informed the transfer of art and antiquities from the source country to a Western museum, Jacobs argues, can calls for cultural restitution be properly assessed.

Tues., Aug. 20, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-382; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Railroads and the National Parks

Partners in Western Preservation

The conservationists who worked to create the National Park Service found willing partners in the nation’s railroads. In the golden age of rail travel people rushed to see what they considered to be a vanishing frontier, and Union Pacific and other railroads worked to preserve its landscape. When that goal became a reality with the Park Service’s founding in 1916, a mutually beneficial relationship began and extended through most of the 20th century.

Patricia LaBounty, a curator at the Union Pacific Museum, draws on archival photographs to illustrate the surprising role railroads played in the development of Western national parks and examines the history of some of their most beloved sites.

Wed., Aug. 21, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-098; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Emperor Justinian Savior or Destroyer of the Roman Empire?

Emperor Justinian (527–565) is one of history’s greatest and most controversial rulers. During his reign, the Eastern Roman, or Byzantine, empire reached its largest extent since the last Western Roman emperor was deposed in 476. In addition, Justinian and his wife, Theodora, oversaw a wide-ranging series of reforms that laid the foundation for later Western law and saw the construction of the magnificent church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

Yet Justinian’s attempts to impose religious unity on his empire failed, and his wars caused widespread devastation. Historian David Gwynn explores contradictory assessments of Justinian, from the judgments of contemporary sources to those of modern scholars.

Thurs., Aug. 22, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-383; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Alexander Hamilton Man, Myth, Musical , Mensch

Founding Father Alexander Hamilton fought at General George Washington’s side in the American Revolution, aided in the passage of the Constitution, and helped save the United States from financial ruin. A great leader, writer, soldier, and lawyer, Hamilton did not let his poor birthright stop him from achieving greatness.

Historian Robert P. Watson surveys the intriguing story of Hamilton’s life, including his difficult and little-known upbringing and war service. He also includes highlights of his meteoric rise to power, his many contributions to the nation, and his legacy. Do you think you already know everything there is to know about Hamilton? Along the way, Watson fact-checks the hit Broadway musical biography.

Thurs., Aug. 22, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-497; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Trestle at New Castle, Placer County, California, ca. 1860s

Emperor Justinian I, Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy

Alexander Hamilton by John Trumbull, 1806

ALFRED HART

Medical Practices of the Civil War

Civil War medicine often suggests squalid environments, excruciating amputations, ignorance, and chaos. According to historian Kelly Hancock, these conditions were more prevalent during the first two years of the war, when the Union and the Confederacy were unprepared to deal with the magnitude of casualties. By the end of the conflict great strides had been made as surgeons, administrators, and military professionals learned on the job. Hancock, director of programs at the American Civil War Museum in Richmond, explores the tragedy and triumph of Civil War medical practices, discussing why disease was the deadliest foe; the treatment of the wounded; field surgery; the development of the hospital system; and the advancements that came out of the war, including the growth of nursing schools.

Wed., Aug. 28, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-099; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

A Nation in the Balance

Lincoln and the 1864 Presidential Election

No presidential election in American history carried stakes as high as the contest in November 1864. Three years into the Civil War, voters would head to the polls to cast a ballot to determine not just the nation’s highest office but its very future. Lincoln’s failed Democratic challenger, former Union Gen. George B. McClellan, had promised to end the war with an honorable peace if elected—an idea that suggested recognition of the Confederacy’s independence in some form. There was no precedent for a democracy holding a general election during a national crisis, and some Republicans urged Lincoln to consider postponing the vote, to which he responded, “If the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us.”

Historian Christopher Hamner examines the months leading up to the election, drawing on primary source material from the people who witnessed the turmoil it engendered—and for whom its ultimate outcome was a frightening unknown.

Mon., Sept. 9, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-061; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Troubles

The Past and Future of Northern Ireland

In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement ended a 30-year period of violence in the north of Ireland known as “the Troubles,” but the difficult legacy of that era still overshadows politics in Ireland north and south to this day.

Historian Jennifer Paxton explores the origins of the Troubles in the partition of Ireland into the nationalist, majority-Catholic Republic of Ireland and the Unionist, majority-Protestant province of Northern Ireland resulting from the Irish War of Independence. She also discusses the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland and the prospects for Irish unity now that the United Kingdom’s territory has its first-ever nationalist first minister.

Wed., Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-337; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Ambulance crew collecting wounded soldiers (field demonstration, 1860)

A republican mural commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strikes

A loyalist mural, 2007

1864 presidential election poster for the Republican ticket of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson

Lafayette: The Hero of Two Worlds Revisited

Few figures in history can match the career of Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette. It spanned over half a century during the tumultuous Revolutionary era that ushered in the modern world. Historian Alexander Mikaberidze traces Lafayette’s journey from a young nobleman to a seasoned revolutionary, from the salons of Versailles to the battlefields of the New World and back to the halls of the National Assembly in Paris.

He explores Lafayette’s famous 1824 farewell tour of the United States and what it can tell us about the man and the myth that shrouds him, as well as his contrasts: an idealist who was a glory-seeking opportunist and an ardent proponent of American republican tenets who eagerly supported monarchy.

Tues., Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-339; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Ancient Sparta

A Template for Authoritarianism

Of all the empires and city-states in the ancient Mediterranean world, Sparta was the most feared because of its military prowess. At the same time, paradoxically, it was the most praised by philosophers because of the political consistency and social stability it provided to its citizens. Spartan society was founded on the philosophy that the whole is greater and more important than any of its parts and that an individual can only find true happiness and fulfillment when part of something larger. Money and private property were abolished, transforming citizens into cogs to keep the great wheel turning.

In this century, Sparta has become the template for repressive regimes such as those in North Korea and Iran, and commentators are fearful that it could become the repressive future for our own country. Historian and classicist John Prevas analyzes ancient Sparta’s approaches to education, government, and social relations, drawing parallels to modern dictatorships and the prospects for America.

Thurs., Sept. 19, 6:45 p.m.: CODE 1L0-594: Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Savonarola: The Moral Dictator of Florence

How could a lowly Florentine preacher almost singlehandedly overthrow the mighty Medici family at the height of the Italian Renaissance and unleash the Bonfire of Vanities that consigned priceless paintings, books, and jewelry to flames? The impassioned Girolamo Savonarola both upended the civic and cultural norms of Florence and installed himself as the head of a ruthless theocracy.

Historian Janna Bianchini of the University of Maryland, College Park, tells the story of Savonarola’s unexpected rise, years-long domination of the city in the face of fierce outside opposition, and meteoric fall. He was burned at the stake in 1498—a fiery end to a cautionary tale about the dangers of blending religious and political extremes.

Thurs., Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-831; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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Portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette by Ary Scheffer, 1824

Portrait of Girolamo Savonarola by Fra Bartolomeo, 1498

Ancient Israel and Its Neighbors

A Biblical Connection

Two centuries of archaeological excavation and exploration have revealed that ancient Israel’s neighbors— Egypt, Canaan, Aram, Assyria, and Babylonia—all contributed significantly to its history, from its origins through the Babylonian exile and beyond. Biblical narratives reflect connections to these ancient cultures. In an illustrated all-day program, biblical scholar Gary Rendsburg explores how the people who left us the Bible were informed by other civilizations and how these influences are reflected in its books.

10 a.m. Egypt and Israel

11:30 a.m. Egypt and the Book of Exodus

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. Canaan and Aram

2:45 p.m. Assyria and Babylonia

Sat., Sept. 21, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-342; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

4

Amsterdam in the 17th Century

The Golden Age from Tulip Mania to the New World

As the wealthiest city in Europe in the 17th century, Amsterdam transformed itself into a thriving center for great artists, scientists, writers, and scholars, as well as a hub of banking and finance. Once the city rid itself of Spanish rule and set up a society based on capitalism and world trade, it also became a metropolis that was philosophically enlightened and religiously tolerant. Amsterdam encouraged the growth of art, philosophy, science, new universities, publishing, and the beginnings of international law.

Historian Ralph Nurnberger explores the many facets of this capital city, from its heady rise to the collapse of tulip futures—capitalism’s first “bubble.” He also highlights how the city’s religious tolerance enabled Dutch Jews to modernize and practice their religion openly, as well as engage in trade in Europe and the New World.

Mon., Sept. 23, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-059; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Operation Husky: Target Sicily

The Allies had not yet defeated the Germans in North Africa when British and American civilian and military leaders met at Casablanca in January 1943 to decide where to turn next. After sometimes-bitter negotiations, they decided to turn their attention to Sicily and, ultimately, mainland Italy.

Codenamed Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily in July and August 1943 was the largest combined amphibious undertaking in history and provided lessons in warfare that enabled the successful planning and execution of Operation Overlord the following June. Kevin Weddle, professor emeritus of military theory and strategy at the U.S. Army War College, offers an illustrated discussion of this critically important but often-forgotten operation that contributed to the Allies’ success in the war in Europe.

Mon., Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-505; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Ishtar Gate, ca.

B.C.E., Pergamon Museum, Berlin

Baal with thunderbolt stele, ca. 15th–13th century B.C.E., Louvre Museum

Still Life with Flowers by Hans Bollongier, 1639

British Army, 51st Division Sicily, July 1943

The Shakers

Pursuing “a New Heaven and a New Earth”

The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, also known as the Shakers, was one of the most fascinating religious groups in America from the late-18th through the early20th centuries. During an era of widespread secular and religious reform initiatives, Shakers sought to embody a purity of life, re-make human relations, and fulfill a utopian vision of a “New Heaven and a New Earth.”

Pacifists who lived celibate communal lives, Shakers accepted the divinity of a female God; embraced expectations of a millennium foretold in the New Testament; and practiced a form of primitive communism. Lecturer William Dinges examines the Shaker movement’s origins; theological worldview; community life; relations with the outside world; and the broader social, cultural, and historical factors that both contributed to the sect’s longevity and led to its demise.

Tues., Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-343; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

How the 1950s Changed American Life

Even though the United States escaped World War II with little physical damage, the war shaped the development of American life, society, and culture in numerous ways in the years that followed. Some people remember the 1950s nostalgically, but this decade also saw radical changes to the way Americans lived. Allen Pietrobon, a professor of global affairs at Trinity Washington University, explores the ripple effects of the war on how Americans lived, traveled, ate, and grappled with racial issues.

Tues., Sept. 24, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-393; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Early

American Elections and the Origins of Party Politics

How We Got Here From There

Elections during the first few decades of America’s existence were often haphazard affairs. Everything from who could vote to the location of the polls to how long the polls would be open varied from state to state and often from election to election. Women could vote in New Jersey from 1776 to 1807. Riots at the polls were not uncommon. Surprisingly, too, the Framers never anticipated the development of a two-party political system.

George Mason University history professor Rosemarie Zagarri explores how the idea of democracy evolved less by design and more from a constant push-and-pull between those seeking to cast their ballots and those who made the rules about when, where, and how the ballots were to be cast. William Gormley, professor emeritus of government and public policy at Georgetown University, draws some connections between the first political parties and the present.

Wed., Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-829; 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

Under the Dome

Politics, Crisis, and Architecture at the United States Capitol

The domed U.S. Capitol is one of America’s most iconic symbols. The building has been renovated many times under the direction of the person serving as architect of the Capitol. This official heads the agency (also called the Architect of the Capitol) tasked with taking care of the Capitol plus the government buildings and grounds of Capitol Hill.

Alan Hantman, who held the position from 1997 to 2007, shares insights into how the Capitol works as a physical space, who runs it, and how decisions are made about security. Hantman’s book Under the Dome (Georgetown University Press) is available for purchase.

Thurs., Sept. 26, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-048; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The Road to the Revolution

America: 1763–1776

In 1763, colonists across British North America could not have been prouder to be citizens of the British Empire. King George, his ministers, and his military were toasted in towns and cities. Grateful New York colonists erected a statue to their great king—a testament to the belief that their future lay with him.

On July 9, 1776, a crowd of American soldiers and sailors tore down that statue and melted its precious lead into 42,088 musket balls to fire at the king’s army. The two sides were now at war, one that would rage for the next seven years.

Historian Richard Bell examines the extraordinary events that turned loyal British colonies into a united confederation willing to go to war to achieve independence.

10 a.m. Stamps and Mobs

11:30 a.m. Redcoats and Snowballs

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. Tea and Tar

2:45 p.m. Hearts and Minds

Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-345; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Putting Ancient Technology to New Use

Water Engineering in the Andes

Thousands of years ago, Indigenous peoples in the Andes assessed their climate, geography, and ecology and realized that, to provide better support for agriculture and herding, they needed to harness water. The solution they chose was to build hydraulic infrastructure, such as canals, terraces, reservoirs, and dams. Archaeologist Kevin Lane of CONICET Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, reveals the story of this technology on the coast and in the highlands of the central Andes and explains how it is being repurposed today to deal with the effects of climate change.

Thurs., Oct. 24, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-401; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

U.S. Capitol dome under construction during President Lincoln’s inauguration, March 1861

The tarring and feathering of Commissioner of Customs John Malcolm, a loyalist, by patriots under the Liberty Tree in Boston, 1774

Part of the puquio hydraulic system

Alexander von Humboldt and American Democracy

One of the most influential intellectuals of the 19th century, Alexander von Humboldt was a Prussian polymath, geographer, naturalist, explorer, and proponent of Romantic philosophy and science who visited the United States in 1804 specifically to meet President Thomas Jefferson, whose writings Humboldt had taken to heart.

Preferring democracy to European monarchy, Humboldt used his influential voice to urge the United States to live up to its democratic ideals, especially the innate equality of all people. Smithsonian American Art Museum curator Eleanor Jones Harvey, author of Alexander von Humboldt and the United States: Art, Nature and Culture, illuminates Humboldt’s efforts to influence American cultural values through the visual arts, sciences, literature, and politics.

Mon., Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-506; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Scandal and Crime in Victorian Britain

From rumors of the queen’s alleged romances to ghoulish reports of body snatching, lady poisoners, or Jack the Ripper’s murder spree, there was never a lack of scandal or crime for Victorians to read or talk about over tea. Aside from being newsworthy, terrifying, and titillating, these goings-on shed light on the wider culture’s rigid class system and restricted gender roles.

Historian Julie Taddeo spotlights some of the period’s most intriguing crimes and scandals, using them as a lens to explore the Victorian era and how its history is presented in today’s popular culture.

Mon., Sept. 30, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-595; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

A Journey through Fantastic Realms

Over the past half century, dwarves, hobbits, magic, dragons, runes, and other staples of fantastic realms have become entrenched in popular culture, from The Lord of the Rings to the Harry Potter series. There are substantive historical inspirations behind these phenomena. Historian Justin M. Jacobs discusses the evolving conceptions of fantastic elements in Eurasian history and lays bare the truth behind what he sees as four distorted myths of fantasy in our culture surrounding magic; elves, dwarves and hobbits; Norse runes; and medieval bestiaries.

19th-century depiction of dwarfs illustrating the poem “Völuspá” by Lorenz Frølich, 1895

4-session series: Wed., Oct. 9–30, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-399; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Individual sessions: Wed., Oct. 9 (CODE 1J0-399A); Wed., Oct. 16 (CODE 1J0399B); Wed., Oct. 23 (CODE 1J0-399C); Wed., Oct. 30 (CODE 1J0-399D); 6:45 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

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Drawing from The Black Pullet, an 18th-century book of magical spells

Portrait of Baron von Humboldt by Charles Wilson Peale, 1804

Summer Vacation

Wine Adventures

JULY 26 Under the Tuscan Sun

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

Tuscany may very well be the emotional epicenter of Italian wine. With the region’s gently rolling hills, rich soils, cool breezes and plentiful sunshine, no wonder its wines are in high demand. In addition to offering long-established appellations such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, many winemakers have enjoyed exploring the freedom to make wines outside of the stringent appellation laws. These wines, unofficially designated “Super-Tuscans,” represent some of the best of the region. Beyond the classics, Tuscany has so much more to offer than meets the eye including compelling, fresh white wines and lighter versions of full-bodied varieties. This virtual tasting trip is guaranteed to surprise and delight.

AUG 23 Wines of the Mediterranean Coast

Imagine lying on the beach with waves gently lapping at your feet, a gentle fresh breeze in the air, and, naturally, a glass of exciting wine to sip. Enjoy this quintessential vacation experience from your own home without the cost and hassle of airline travel. The shores of the Mediterranean coast offer myriad incredible wines and appellations to explore—from fresh, light reds to tantalizing, mineral-driven whites, and, of course, dazzling rosés. Sip these coastal Mediterranean wines as if you’re on the deck of your own private yacht.

SEPT 20 Virginia Is for Wine Lovers

The vineyards and wineries of Virginia have much to offer. Dating as far back as Thomas Jefferson’s (not so successful) attempts to recreate some of his favorite European wines, Virginia has a storied history of viticulture. Now, new generations of winemakers are pushing Virginian wine to even greater heights. This session introduces some of the newest and most exciting wines the state has to offer.

3-session series: Fri., July 26, Aug. 23, and Sept. 20, 6 p.m.; CODE 3WINE2024 Members $180; Nonmembers $210

Individual sessions: Fri., July 26 (CODE 1L0-590); Fri., Aug. 23 (CODE 1L0-591); Fri., Sept. 20 (CODE 1L0-592); 6 p.m.; Members $70; Nonmembers $80

Wine-tasting kit information: The cost includes a curated personal tasting kit with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines. Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kit, which is an essential component of the workshop. Kits are available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program and the day of the program, 12–5 p.m., at Shilling Canning Company (360 Water Street SE, Washington, DC; Metro: Navy Yard-Ballpark station, Green line). Patrons will receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to the program.

Due to state and federal laws, Smithsonian Associates cannot ship wine kits. However, SOMLYAY may be able to provide kits to participants outside the Washington, D.C., area (who must cover shipping costs). Please contact erik@thesomlyay.com for more information.

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

Roadside Attractions

Reasons to Stretch Your Legs

What do a giant rocking chair, a field of spray-painted Cadillacs, and a 15-foot-tall Superman all have in common? Nothing much, except that they’re all examples of the thousands of unique, amusing, and sometimes-bizarre sights that travelers across America visit each year. From Houston’s Beer Can House to South Dakota’s Corn Palace, many of these quirky tourist magnets have interesting stories behind them, or at the very least make for a great photo opportunity.

Travel expert and author Bill Clevlen shares some of those tales, including how a loving Oklahoma husband built the giant Blue Whale of Catoosa; why travelers routinely spray-paint the cars in Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch; and who the world’s largest wind chime—the pride of Casey, Illinois—celebrates.

Wed., July 10, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-091; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

In Search of America

Travels with Charley (and Clay)

Historian Clay Jenkinson is a John Steinbeck scholar who is retracing Steinbeck’s 1960 driving tour chronicled in his book Travels with Charley: In Search of America. Though Steinbeck finally admitted that America was too big to know, Jenkinson intends to explore the mood and face of the country on the eve of our 250th birthday.

Beginning this spring, he’ll cover the perimeter of the United States and along the way read all of Steinbeck’s works and file daily posts about his travels. Jenkinson examines Steinbeck’s extraordinary account of his road trip and his own attempt to make sense of what the author called “this monster country” by traveling less-visited byways, taking time to see America with fresh eyes, and listening to—and reporting on—the many voices of its past, present, and future.

Tues., July 16, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0487; Members $35; Nonmembers $40

The Jazzmen

The longtime kings of jazz—Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie—were born within a few years of one another and battled poverty and prejudice to become some of the most popular entertainers on the planet. Larry Tye, author of The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America, traces the story of how these revolutionary musicians orchestrated the chords that throbbed at the soul of 20thcentury America. Each defied racial boundaries by opening America’s eyes and souls to the magnificence of their music. In the process, says Tye, they wrote the soundtrack for the civil rights movement. Copies of The Jazzmen (Mariner Books) are available for purchase.

Tues., July 16, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-093; 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.

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas

RICHIE

Clay Jenkinson

Barbie

The History of America’s Best-Selling Doll

For more than 60 years, Barbie has been the world’s best-selling fashion doll, inspiring millions of fans to play with, collect, and adore her. Cultural historian Leslie Goddard explores the history of Barbie, beginning with her inventor, the passionately creative and intensely competitive Ruth Handler. She also delves into the complex cultural battles Barbie has inspired over the decades and offers insights into why the doll has been at the center of deep-rooted debates about what it means to be an American woman and what those debates reveal about us.

Wed., July 17, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-043; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The Sublimely Subversive Cinema of Billy Wilder

Billy Wilder, the European-born genius behind The Apartment and Some Like It Hot, captured the outrageous quirkiness of the United States better than most of his Hollywood contemporaries.

The Wilder gift for provocation and dark humor dared to take on topics from the devastation of alcoholism (The Lost Weekend) to the cruelty of Hollywood (Sunset Boulevard), while his romantic side surfaced in sophisticated adult romps such as Sabrina and Love in the Afternoon. Film historian Max Alvarez offers a tribute to the director-writer who was in many respects the ultimate commentator on American culture.

Wed., July 17, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-496; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Art of Breathing

Yogic Philosophy and Practices

Yoga can be a lifestyle medicine that promotes brain health, mental health, and overall well-being. Linda Lang, a certified yoga therapist, offers an opportunity to embrace yogic thinking and learn simple, gentle breathing practices to cultivate a healthier relationship with your body and mind.

A heightened awareness of the ways we tend to breathe (or not) throughout the day can lead to remarkable self-discoveries: controlling emotional reactivity; regulating heartbeat and blood pressure; increasing the flow of anti-inflammatories; and reducing fatigue. In an informative interactive session, find ways to strengthen your body, mind, and confidence in dealing with difficult situations and people as you begin to breathe your way to better being.

Smithsonian Associates’ Digital Digest is a lively monthly e-newsletter filled with information about programs and experiences that are entertaining, informative, eclectic, and insightful. Be sure to see the current issue at: smithsonianassociates.org/digital-digest

Thurs., July 18, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-094; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Leslie Goddard with dolls and accessories from her Barbie collection

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

The Gilded Age: Art, Architecture, and Society

The words Gilded Age capture it all: a golden era of opulent architecture, extravagant fashions, stunning art, and above all, the wealth that made it possible. America in the booming post-Civil War decades was a place of contradictions and dichotomies. This was a world ruled by robber barons, magnates who accumulated tremendous fortunes in railways, communications, and industries. But it was also one in which serious societal ills—such as those documented by photographer and journalist Jacob Riis—were hidden by a gilt façade.

Art historian Bonita Billman examines the art, architecture, fashion, and interior design of the upper crust between 1870 and 1912 and explores the dramatic distance between their lives and those on the other end of the social and economic scales.

10 a.m. How the Other Half Lives

11:30 a.m. Gilded Gotham

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. The “Cottages” of Newport

2:45 p.m. Idle Hours

Sat., July 20, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-331; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

In Person

The Magnificence of Mozart’s Concertos

The concertos of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart number among the greatest bodies of work that exist in the Western concert music canon. He composed over 40 for a wide variety of instruments, and without his lifelong fascination with this form we would not have the mighty Romantic and modern soloistic showcases that we love today.

From vivacious early experiments to the magisterial later masterworks, Mozart’s sublime invention never dimmed. Pianist and scholar Rachel Franklin explores how he built the modern concerto form with inexhaustible creativity and shaped our contemporary expectations of virtuosity allied with expressive power.

JULY 24 Form and Function

JULY 31 Mozart’s Soloists

2-session series: Wed., July 24 and 31, 12 p.m.; CODE 1K0-489; Members $50; Nonmembers $60

Kathy Reichs: Fire and Bones

Creating a D.C. Thriller

Forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs is known for her crime novels chronicling the adventures of Temperance “Bones” Brennan, a forensic anthropologist at the fictional Jeffersonian Institute (sound familiar?). Her latest thriller, Fire and Bones, finds Brennan at the center of a Washington, D.C., arson investigation that spawns deepening levels of mystery and, ultimately, violence.

When she discovers the case has a surprising link to the Foggy Bottom Gang, a group of 1930s and ’40s bootleggers and racketeers, things get even hotter. Join Reichs as she discuss the inspiration behind the novel and how she staged the thriller in the Smithsonian’s—or the Jeffersonian’s—backyard.

Copies of Fire and Bones (Simon & Schuster) are available for purchase and signing. Mon., Aug. 5, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-586; Ripley Center; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

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

The mansion of Cornelius Vanderbilt II at the corner of 5th Avenue, 57th Street, and Grand Army Plaza, New York, 1908

Portrait of a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by Giambettino Cignaroli, 1770

Kathy Reichs

Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, and Hal David

The Synergy of Genius

Burt Bacharach composed for countless important artists during his storied 80-year career—which began in his teens—but he and his lyricist Hal David reserved some of their most visionary work for the magnificent Dionne Warwick.

Lecturer, concert pianist, and Bacharach and Warwick fan Rachel Franklin explores the unique power and depth of their creative relationship and the extraordinary legacy of songbook masterpieces that these great artists have bequeathed us. Among the many beloved songs covered in the program, highlights include “Walk on By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “Alfie,” “Don’t Make Me Over,” and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.”

Wed., Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-499; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Feasting with Royalty

Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, and Caesar

Dancing in the Dark

A History of Dance in the Movies

Dancing on the big screen has provided some of the most ecstatic moments in film history—whether it’s Fred Astaire gliding on the ceiling in Royal Wedding, the Nicholas Brothers leaping down a staircase in Stormy Weather, Moira Shearer pirouetting through the dreamscape of The Red Shoes, or John Travolta burning up the dance floor in Saturday Night Fever. Employing more than 75 video clips, media historian Brian Rose surveys 130 years of thrilling movie dance performances and discusses how the cinema helped change the nature of dance.

Tues., Aug. 6, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-378; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

From the elaborate banquets of ancient civilizations to the lavish soirées of the Renaissance, feasts have left an indelible mark on human culture and society. They reveal the culinary delights of their time and the social hierarchies, power dynamics, and cultural exchanges that have shaped our past.

Food historian Francine Segan uncovers the hidden layers of meaning behind the food, drink, and rituals that have defined such gatherings throughout the ages and spotlights the distinctive foods of royal tables in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In each session, participants receive a list of recipes for delicious dishes from across antiquity to make at home. (Roast peacock and flamingo tongue not included.)

AUG 19 Dinner with Cleopatra

SEPT 16 Dinner with Alexander the Great OCT 21 Dinner with Caesar

3-session series: Mon., Aug. 19, Sept. 16, and Oct. 21, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-058; Members $60; Nonmembers $75

Individual sessions: Mon., Aug. 19 (CODE 1D0-058A); Mon., Sept. 16 (CODE 1D0-058B); Mon., Oct. 21 (CODE 1D0-058C); 6:45 p.m.; 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

Original flyer for the film The Red Shoes, 1948. Collection at Ailina Dance (Archives)

Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, and Hal David

Still Life with Lobster, Drinking Horn and Glasses by Willem Kalf, 1653

Zhang Yimou and Gong Li

The Director and His Muse

Musical Miniatures

The Perfect Magic of Shorter Works

Film historian Max Alvarez surveys the turbulent film history of China via the brilliant and beautiful collaborations between Fifth Generation filmmaker Zhang Yimou—who emerged on the world cinema scene in the wake of the Cultural Revolution—and his stunning star Gong Li. Her remarkable acting versatility reinforced Zhang’s themes of resilience in the face of hardship in films such as Ju Dou and The Story of Qiu Ju and the masterpiece Raise the Red Lantern. But those themes frequently aroused the ire of political authorities.

Nevertheless, Zhang’s remarkable muse, whose stardom was instantaneous beginning with their first powerful alliance in the film Red Sorghum, helped make Zhang’s later works—arguably compromised by the political pressure the director faced—both intoxicating and mesmerizing.

Tues., Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-502; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Throughout the centuries composers have been constantly drawn to the perfect simplicity of shorter musical forms. Preludes, bagatelles, overtures, romances, impromptus, nocturnes, dances, arias, etudes, songs without words, lieder, fantasias, intermezzos: The range of small-form musical works is astoundingly varied, but creating exquisite miniatures is a demanding art.

With some of the most deeply loved music in the repertoire, pianist and scholar Rachel Franklin shows how it’s done using miniature marvels by Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Grieg, Bartok, Brahms, Faure, Webern, Debussy, and many others.

SEPT 5 Can We Categorize a Musical Miniature?

SEPT 12 Images and Stories Through Program Music

SEPT 19 Piano Miniatures: An Infinite World in a Tiny Box

SEPT 26 Delights of Salon Music and the Role of Nationalism

4-session series: Thurs., Sept. 5–26, 12 p.m.; CODE 1K0-501; Members $95; Nonmembers $105

Plant-based Cooking: A Harvest of Recipes

Plant-based eating has been evolving for centuries, creating a base of beloved recipes enjoyed around the globe. Food editor and writer Joe Yonan has spent years reporting on and making plant-based foods, and his new book, Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking, spotlights vegan food as a unique cuisine worthy of mastery.

His collection of recipes and essays from prominent food writers in this sphere illustrates the abundance and wide-ranging variety of vegan food. Hear Yonan discuss the richness of vegan cuisine and share tips for flavorful staples, weeknight meals, and celebratory feasts in your own kitchen.

Copies of Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking (Penguin Random House) are available for purchase. Thurs., Sept. 5, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-596; Members $20; 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.

Gong Li

Zhang Yimou

Chopin Concert by Henryk Siemiradzki, 1829

A Filmmaker’s Journey to the Amazon

With Céline Cousteau

In 2006, documentary filmmaker Céline Cousteau went to the Amazon with her father, Jean-Michel, as he filmed a project for PBS. On the expedition, she met some of the Indigenous peoples of the 33,000-square-mile Javari Valley reservation, located along Brazil’s Amazon border with Peru. A relationship unfolded, and a request was later made: Would Cousteau, as an environmental filmmaker who focuses on the connection between nature and humans, return to the valley to tell the story of the threats its people and their land faced?

Cousteau’s 2018 documentary Tribes on the Edge examines those forces, from ongoing illegal activities including hunting, gold mining, and deforestation to health crises and the dismantling of all protections of land and human rights by the Brazilian government. Cousteau discusses why she felt compelled to return to the jungle, the making of the documentary, and how the struggle for survival that played out in the Amazon has implications that reach across the globe.

Thurs., Sept. 5, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-101; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

From David Copperfield to Demon Copperhead

A Modern Rewriting of Charles Dickens

Barbara Kingsolver’s Pulitzer Prize–winning Demon Copperhead is an adaptation of the beloved 19th-century novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, shows how Kingsolver negotiated Dickens’ literary legacy and updated the concerns of David Copperfield to deal with major issues of contemporary American life such as the opioid crisis, rural poverty, and the schisms in an increasingly divided country. Luzzi discusses how the two authors’ lives and literary careers relate to their novels and compares style, character creation, and plot development in the two books.

10 a.m. A Tale of Two Authors: Charles Dickens and Barbara Kingsolver

11:15 a.m. David Copperfield: Youthful Challenges

12:15 p.m. Break

12:45 p.m. David Copperfield: Joys and Sorrows of Maturity

2 p.m. Copperfield to Copperhead

Sat., Sept. 7, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; CODE 1J0-388; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Give the Gif t of Color

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

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

Barbara Kingsolver

Céline Cousteau and film crew in the Javari Valley reservation

Charles Dickens LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LIFE

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

MICHAEL CLARK

MICHAEL CLARK

Spices 101: Cardamom

Cardamom is one of the most perfumed and complex of spices, prized as much for its romantic and storied history as it is for its culinary usage. The most famous lovers of all time were cast together by the sultry aroma of burning cardamom luring Mark Antony to Cleopatra’s palace.

Food writer and spice expert Eleanor Ford draws on her new cookbook, A Whisper of Cardamom, to explore the facts, botany, myths, stories, and properties of the spice. Discover how to use it to best effect in the kitchen, elevating dishes from broths to curries, spiced teas to scented cakes.

Thurs., Sept. 12, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-102; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Longwood Gardens: Still Growing

For more than 115 years, Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, has been recognized as one of the world’s most important and beautiful collections of gardens and glasshouses. As he explores its indoor spaces, Karl Gercens, Longwood’s conservatory manager, draws on his quarter century of making and maintaining displays that have dazzled millions of visitors.

Learn how the historic Orangery went from utilitarian citrus production to a space displaying more than 50,000 pots of blooms and trace the East Conservatory’s history of face-lifts since its 1927 debut. Gercens also previews the centerpiece of Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience, a transformation of 17 acres of its conservatory and grounds—the West Conservatory, scheduled for a fall opening, which combines the 19th-century tradition of glasshouses with contemporary sustainable technologies.

Mon., Sept. 16, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-103; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

How Steven Spielberg and George Lucas Changed the Movies

From 1915’s The Birth of a Nation to epics like The Sound of Music (1965), Hollywood has depended on blockbusters. But beginning in 1974, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas changed the way the industry made movies.

Spielberg’s Jaws and Lucas’ Star Wars helped launch the careers of two of the most influential directors of our time. They introduced the age of the modern blockbuster, which features elaborate special effects and thrilling spectacle, in contrast to previous Hollywood blockbusters whose focus was on prestigious adaptations and mega star power. Media historian Brian Rose looks at their four decades of filmmaking and discusses how they changed the movies.

Tues., Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-391; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Italian Water Garden at Longwood Gardens

Why We Love Football

With Joe Posnanski

Who could forget Joe Montana’s epic touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the Cowboys end zone that gave the 49ers their 28-27 NFC division victory in 1981? Or “The Helmet Catch,” Eli Manning’s downfield pass to New York Giants receiver David Tyree to give the Giants a win over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII? Sports columnist Joe Posnanski certainly hasn’t.

Drawing from his new book, Why We Love Football, Posnanski reminisces about pivotal moments in the sport, from epic comeback games to stellar feats of athleticism, and shares insights on the upcoming NFL season. He’s joined by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and veteran Washington Post football reporter Len Shapiro for a lively conversation about the number-one spectator sport in America. Phil Hochberg, longtime stadium announcer for the Washington Football Team, moderates.

Why We Love Football: A History in 100 Moments (Dutton) is available for purchase and signing.

Wed., Sept. 18, 6:45 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1J0-411; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Frank Lloyd Wright and the UNESCO World Heritage List

In 2019, eight buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. They span six decades of his long career and include significant residential, religious, and institutional buildings constructed between 1905 and 1959: Unity Temple; the Robie House; Taliesin Wisconsin; Hollyhock House; Fallingwater; the Jacobs House I; Taliesin West; and the Guggenheim Museum.

Bill Keene, a lecturer in urban studies, architecture, and history, reviews the nature of the UNESCO list, its criteria, and the steps in the more than 15-year nominating process needed to consider the architect’s buildings for designation. Drawing on his visits to each site, Keene examines Wright’s work and philosophy of architecture as reflected in the range of his buildings selected as World Heritage Sites. Fri., Sept. 20, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-104; Members $40; Nonmembers $50

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

Spotlight on DC’s Stages Exploring the New Theater Season

Hosted in partnership with Theatre Washington

Washington’s reputation as a hub for vibrant arts and culture is well-deserved, with more than 80 professional companies poised to launch their 2024–2025 seasons. How can audiences pick the must-see productions, determine which ones offer the best value, and identify those that might not meet their expectations?

As part of the annual Theatre Week celebration, join Amy Austin, president and CEO of Theatre Washington, dramaturg Lauren Halversen, and a panel of experts as they explore the exciting lineup of productions awaiting audiences on stages both large and small and how to make the most of their theater-going experience. Take home a curated list of the most-anticipated productions, complete with critics’ picks of shows not to be missed.

Mon., Sept. 23, 6:45 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1D0-062; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Related program: A Day with DC-area Theater Makers (see p. 57)

Joe Posnanski

Herbert and Katherine Jacobs House I, 1936–1937 In Person

The Evolution of Washington’s Southwest Waterfront

Washington, D.C.’s Southwest Waterfront is a neighborhood of contrasts: it boasts three of the earliest row homes in the District, a “honeymoon house” built for Martha Washington’s granddaughter, the oldest continuously operating fish market in the country, and one of the largest recent private development projects in the city, the District Wharf.

Laid out in the 1770s, by the 1830s the community on the banks of the Potomac teemed with commercial activity, followed by a massive military operation during the Civil War. However, the postwar waterfront slipped into decline over the decades. During the urban renewal movement of the mid-20th century, huge swaths of Southwest Washington were demolished, with over 23,000 mostly Black and Jewish residents displaced. Today, a new wave of development is again changing the fabric of Southwest Washington.

Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, explores the long and tumultuous planning history of the Southwest Waterfront as well as some of its architectural highlights, including residential buildings by I.M. Pei and Chloethiel Woodard Smith.

Mon., Sept. 23, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-105; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Thinking About Philosophers

Attend individual lectures on great thinkers Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, then join Georgetown professor Joseph Hartman for a smaller-capacity, interactive discussion about these men, their works, how their philosophies interact with each other, and their relevance to today’s world.

SEPT 25 Contemplating Hobbes

NOV 6 Contemplating Locke

DEC 4 Contemplating Rousseau

DEC 11 Discussing Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau

3-session series (lectures only): Wed., Sept. 25, Nov. 6, and Dec. 4, 6:45 p.m.; CODE: 1J0-394; Members $60; Nonmembers $75

Individual sessions: Wed., Sept. 25 (CODE 1J0394A; Wed., Nov. 6 (CODE 1J0-394B); Wed., Dec. 4 (CODE 1J0-394C); 6:45 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

4-session series (lectures and discussion): Wed., Sept. 25, Nov. 6, Dec. 4, and Dec. 11, 6:45 p.m.; CODE: 1J0-403; Members $80; Nonmembers $95

Support lifelong learning at Smithsonian Associates

Please help us in presenting vibrant educational programs by making a charitable contribution today. Your gift is essential because, unlike the museums, Smithsonian Associates is not federally funded and relies entirely on donations and membership support to bridge the gap between program expenses and registration revenue. SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels

Thomas Hobbes

John Locke

The mixed-use Wharf development on the Southwest Waterfront, 2021

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

How to Think Like an Economist

What Great Economists Can Teach Us

Avoiding climate catastrophe means changing economies so that they don’t bake the world. Pulling economies through the pandemic required governments to put economies into the deep freeze without destroying them. Economist Robbie Mochrie explains how economic thinking is indispensable to tackling huge problems such as these.

Mochrie discusses how great economic thinkers from Aristotle to Esther Duflo have enabled us to see the world differently and figure out how we can make it better. His new book, How to Think Like an Economist (Bloomsbury), is available for purchase.

Thurs., Sept. 26, 12 p.m.; CODE 1CV-047; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Witches in the Grimms’ Fairy Tales

Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman discuss the versatile figure of the witch in fairy tales. Focusing on the collection of the Brothers Grimm, Cleto and Warman explore the many distinctive witches they gave us before homing in on ones that appear in five fairy tales: “Rapunzel,” “Hansel and Gretel,” “The Three Spinners,” “Frau Trude,” and “All Kinds of Fur.” By illuminating different aspects of the figure of the witch as she appears in the Grimms’ tales, they demonstrate the complexity and power that characterize her.

Mon., Sept. 30, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-395; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Why Middlemarch Matters

An Inside Look at George Eliot’s Masterpiece

Virginia Woolf famously said that George Eliot’s monumental Middlemarch from 1872 was “one of the few English novels written for grown-up people.” Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, examines how Eliot used innovative literary techniques and delves into her treatment of political issues, key transitions in English social and cultural life, and the characters’ emotional lives. He also explains why Middlemarch is still widely read.

Sat., Oct. 5, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; CODE 1J0-397; Members $80; Nonmembers $95

George Eliot by François D’Albert Durade

High School Classics Revisited

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

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass from 1845 remains one of the most profoundly influential works in American literature. A combination of memoir and treatise on abolition, the book charts Douglass’ escape from the horrors of slavery to his life as a key member of the anti-slavery movement.

Luzzi explores the book’s literary elements and themes, including Douglass’ brilliant ideas on religion, morality, education, and freedom.

Thurs., Oct. 17, 6 p.m.; CODE 1J0-400; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

On the Road

Jack Kerouac’s On the Road from 1957 is almost synonymous with the postwar Beat and counterculture movements that rejected the staid domesticity of the 1950s in search of freedom and alternate ways of life. Luzzi discusses how characters based on the writer William S. Burroughs, the poet Allen Ginsberg, and Kerouac himself embraced new cultural forms like jazz and experimental literature as routes to meaning and artistic freedom.

Tues., Oct. 29, 6 p.m.; CODE 1J0-402; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

“And

That’s the Way It Is”

70 Years of TV News

Television news has undergone remarkable transformations in the last seven decades. From the “Camel News Caravan” with John Cameron Swayze in 1948 to the “CBS Evening News” with Walter Cronkite in 1963 to 24/7 coverage on CNN and then cable, coverage has changed in both availability and character. Media historian Brian Rose looks at these sweeping changes and examines the impact of television journalism.

Mon., Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-398; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

Walter Cronkite interviews President John F. Kennedy on the first half-hour nightly news broadcast in 1963

PROSOPEE

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

Among the Great Whites

Since Jaws scared a nation of moviegoers out of the water nearly 50 years ago, great white sharks have attained a mythic status as the most frightening and mysterious monsters to still live among us. Each fall in the waters surrounding a desolate rocky island chain 27 miles off the San Francisco coast, the world’s largest congregation of these fearsome predators gathers to feed.

Journalist Susan Casey first saw the great whites of the Farallon Islands in a television documentary. She became obsessed with these awe-inspiring creatures and has joined scientists on their expeditions to study the species. Casey offers a presentation full of jaw-dropping images that’s part adventure tale and part natural history lesson in which she describes her time among the great whites and shares the latest in great white shark research.

Tues., July 23, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-494; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Otterly Amazing

Quantum Mechanics Demystified

Theoretical physicist and philosopher Sean Carroll takes a unique approach to sharing physics with a broad audience: one that reveals how physicists really think, providing an accessible, straightforward perspective that you don’t need to be a scientist to understand.

Drawing on his new book, Quanta and Fields, he takes on quantum field theory—how modern physics describes nature at its most profound level. Starting with the basics of quantum mechanics itself, he offers insights into why matter is solid, why there is antimatter, where the sizes of atoms come from, and why the predictions of quantum field theory are so spectacularly successful.

Copies of Quanta and Fields: The Biggest Ideas in the Universe (Dutton) are available for purchase.

Tues., July 23, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-585; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

From their intricate social structures to their remarkable hunting techniques, otters captivate observers with their cleverness, charisma, and resilience. Erin Whatley and Paul Bradenburger, animal keepers with Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, reveal fascinating details about the natural history of these furry, semi-aquatic mammals.

Otters are highly social animals, often forming close-knit family groups. Whatley and Bradenburger describe the bonds between mothers and pups and delve into reproductive strategies. Learn how otters play a crucial role in maintaining the health of freshwater ecosystems. Finally, discover secrets of otter care at the Smithsonian National Zoo.

Thurs., Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-044; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

programs are

Extreme Cat-itude

Exploring the Biology, Behavior, and Importance of Wild Felines

How much difference exists between a tiger and the fluffy kitten sitting on your sofa? Probably less than you think. Robert Johnson, a professor of biology at Coastal Carolina University, examines the evolution of the Felidae family, highlights big cat species, and sheds light on remarkable small cat species that go all but unnoticed in our modern world. He also provides insight into feline behavior, conservation status, and adaptations that make cats among the most effective predators on the planet.

Understanding Cephalopod Behavior

Some stories that people tell about octopuses almost defy belief. These animals are said to escape from aquariums, invent tools, make friends, and hold grudges. But how many of these tales are true?

Scientists have indeed documented extraordinary cognitive capacity and behavioral flexibility not only in octopuses but also in their close relatives, squids and cuttlefish, who are all members of the cephalopod group of animals. Biologist Danna Staaf sorts fact from fancy and dissects the question of how intelligent they are to see what we can learn from them about our definition of intelligence.

Mon., Aug. 26, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-384; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Underwater Volcanoes

From Indonesia to Iceland, hundreds of islands across the globe were formed by once so-called submarine volcanoes. Submarine volcanoes are exactly what they sound like: volcanoes located beneath the ocean’s surface.

Although they know underwater volcanoes behave differently than terrestrial ones, scientists are somewhat in the dark when it comes to understanding them because the eruptions are cloaked from view by thousands of feet of water. Dive deep with volcanologist Samuel Mitchell as he explains what is known about the volcanoes that lie beneath the surface of our oceans and why we should be both curious and cautious about them.

Fri., Sept. 6, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-387; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Geology of Shenandoah National Park

Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park is situated atop the Blue Ridge, a prominent mountain range formed during the ancient smash-up between ancestral North America and Africa. Known for its spectacular views, the park contains rocks that tell compelling geologic stories. What do stripes in a rock mean? Are those almonds from someone’s trail mix, or are they fossilized volcanic gas bubbles on a boulder? How were the stairway-like sections of the hiking trail up Old Rag Mountain created? Geologist Callan Bentley can read these rocks and translate their tales from deep time.

Mon, Sept. 9, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-100; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Wed., Aug. 7, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-379; Members $20; Nonmembers $25 These programs are part of Smithsonian Associates I N SI DE S C I ENCE

West Mata, near Samoa, is the deepest submarine volcano ever filmed

Old Rag Mountain

Music as Medicine

Music is one of humanity’s oldest medicines. From Eastern countries to the Ottoman Empire, Europe to Africa and the pre-colonial Americas, many cultures have developed their own rich traditions for using sound and rhythm to ease suffering, promote healing, and calm the mind.

Neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin, author of This Is Your Brain on Music, explores the curative powers of music, illustrating why it is one of the most potent therapies today and how it can contribute to the treatment of a host of ailments from neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s to cognitive injury, depression, and pain. His new book, I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine (W.W. Norton), is available for purchase.

Mon., Sept. 9, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-507; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Webb Space Telescope

On December 25, 2021, a mighty Ariane 5 rocket raced into the sky from French Guiana, signaling the long-awaited launch of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Now, it has begun a 20-year mission of observation that promises to revolutionize our understanding of the universe.

Kelly Beatty, senior editor at Sky & Telescope magazine, explores how astronomers are using its state-of-the-art instruments and enormous optical system to detect extremely faint infrared objects from both the very near and very distant universe. He discusses the mission’s goals that include identifying the earliest stars and galaxies to form after the Big Bang and exploring the planetary systems of other stars.

Tues., Sept. 10, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-593; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Support lifelong learning at Smithsonian Associates

Please help us in presenting vibrant educational programs by making a charitable contribution today. Your gift is essential because, unlike the museums, Smithsonian Associates is not federally funded and relies entirely on donations and membership support to bridge the gap between program expenses and registration revenue.

SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels

How We Healed the Earth

…and How We Can Do It Again

Glaciers are melting. Oceans are rising. Surface temperatures worldwide are rising. What’s to be done? We have solved planet-threatening problems before, atmospheric scientist Susan Solomon argues, and we can do it again. The path to success begins when an environmental problem becomes both personal and perceptible to the public, she says.

Solomon connects her 1986 expedition to Antarctica that made discoveries key to healing the damaged ozone layer with the stories of environmental victories to extract the essential elements of what makes change possible. Solomon’s new book, Solvable: How We Healed the Earth, and How We Can Do It Again (University of Chicago Press), is available for purchase.

Thurs., Sept. 12, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-389; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

These programs are part of Smithsonian Associates

Composite image of the Crab Nebula captured by the Webb Space Telescope

Daniel J. Levitin

Social Networks and the Wondrous Complexity of Animal Societies

It’s all about who you know when you’re an animal. For vampire bats sharing blood meals to survive, macaque monkeys forming grooming pacts after a deadly hurricane, and great tit birds learning the best way to steal milk, it pays to be well-connected.

In this tour of the animal kingdom, evolutionary biologist Lee Alan Dugatkin describes social networks that existed long before the dawn of human social media. His new book, The WellConnected Animal: Social Networks and the Wondrous Complexity of Animal Societies (University of Chicago Press), is available for purchase.

Fri., Sept. 13, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-390; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Quest for Cosmic Life

The questions “How did life on Earth begin?” and “Are we alone in the universe?” are arguably two of the most intriguing in science. Attempts to answer them have now led to extraordinarily vibrant and dynamic frontiers of investigation.

Astrophysicist Mario Livio describes how the quest for cosmic life follows two parallel, independent lines of research: cutting-edge laboratory studies aimed at determining whether life can emerge from pure chemistry and advanced astronomical observations searching for signs of life on other planets and moons in the solar system and around stars other than the sun.

Livio’s new book, co-authored with Nobel Prize laureate Jack Szostak, Is Earth Exceptional? The Quest for Cosmic Life (Basic Books), is available for sale.

Thurs., Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-341; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

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

Support lifelong learning at Smithsonian Associates

We open the doors of the Smithsonian’s vast knowledge resources to people of all ages.

Please help us in presenting vibrant educational programs by making a charitable contribution today. Your gift is essential because, unlike the museums, Smithsonian Associates is not federally funded and relies entirely on donations and membership support to bridge the gap between program expenses and registration revenue.

D emonstrate your su pport today at SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels

You love art.

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

World Art H i story Certif icate Prog ram

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 World Art History Certificate Program.

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. In 2024, you’ll find an expanded roster of instructors and a new range of course topics.

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

Registration is ongoing; for a limited time, new participants receive a World Art History Certificate tote bag.

To learn more about the Smithsonian Associates World Art History Certificate Program, visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/ArtCertificate

*from Smithsonian museum collections

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

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

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

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit for each

Elaine Ruffolo, a Florence-based Renaissance art historian, examines the rich heritage of Italian art and architecture

Renaissance Rivalries

The Artistic Feuds of Rome

Rivalries can be contentious and destructive, but they also have fueled the creation of great paintings, sculpture, and architecture. The fierce competition between artistic titans of the 16th century, Michelangelo and Raphael, was legendary—as were those between Caravaggio and Annibale Carracci and Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini.

Each pair reflected very different and almost irreconcilable personalities, which in many cases were in direct contrast. Ruffolo surveys the unmistakable hallmarks of these leading artists who challenged each other’s genius and contributed to the extraordinary transformation of Rome in the 17th century.

Fri., Sept. 20, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-630; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The Medici: Patronage, Power, and Art in Renaissance Florence

At its height, Renaissance Florence was a center of enormous wealth, power, and influence dominated by rich mercantile families, the most famous being the Medici. From modest beginnings, the Medici rose to become bankers to the pope and many rich and powerful European families. But perhaps their most enduring legacy is their patronage of the arts. Artists such as Brunelleschi, Donatello, Fra Angelico, Botticelli, and Michelangelo all thrived with Medici support.

Ruffolo traces the family’s influence on the political, economic, and cultural history of Florence from the early 1430s with the rise of the dynasty headed by Cosimo de Medici through the golden era under Lorenzo il Magnifico to the achievement of the family’s goal: the papal tiara.

Fri., Oct. 11, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-065; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

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.

Raphael and Michelangelo

Procession of the Youngest King by Benozzo Gozzoli

Writing Workshops

Experience the power of reflective writing guided by the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, Mary Hall Surface. These reflections can become creative fertile ground for memoir, poetry, and more. The workshops have a limited enrollment to maximize interaction among the instructor and students.

Write Into Art

Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art

Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art in online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and style through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. The sessions spotlight a diverse range of art by Romare Bearden, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Berenice Abbott to inspire writers of all experience levels to deepen their process and practice.

Mary Hall Surface

JULY 9 Memoir: Memory and Metaphor

JULY 16 Poetry: Words as Image

JULY 23 Setting: Explore Place and Time

3-session series: Tues., July 9–23, 10 a.m.; CODE 1K0-490; Members $105; Nonmembers $115

Individual sessions: Tues., July 9 (CODE 1K0-491); Tues., July 16 (CODE 1K0-492); Tues., July 23 (CODE 1K0-493); 10 a.m.; Members $40; Nonmembers $45

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Art + History

John Trumbull’s The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis

Paul Glenshaw returns to the Art + History series to look at great works of art in their historical context. As he examines The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis painted by John Trumbull in 1820, he is joined by Revolutionary War scholar Iris de Rode, who discovered eyewitness accounts of one of the top French generals depicted in the painting. They unfold the story of the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781 and the fascinating process of the creation of the epic work by Trumbull.

Tues., July 9, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-488; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

The Origins of Western Art

From the Paleolithic Through the Aegean Bronze Age

Our modern world echoes and sometimes replicates the creative vestiges of the past—and one key to understanding our surroundings is through an overview of ancient material culture. Focusing on the Mediterranean region, art historian Renee Gondek surveys the earliest traces of artistic production from the Paleolithic period through the late Bronze Age (roughly 1,500,000 B.C.E. through 1100 B.C.E.).

JULY 9 The Paleolithic and Neolithic Periods

JULY 16 The Ancient Near East

JULY 23 Ancient Egypt

JULY 30 The Aegean Bronze Age

4-session series: Tues., July 9–30, 12 p.m.; CODE 1T0-005; Members $100; Nonmembers $110

Fresco of Primavera (or Flora), ca. 1st cent., Stabiae

Surrender of Lord Cornwallis by John Trumbull

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit Monet: Impressions of an Artist

Monet. The name alone conjures up vivid images: water lilies in Giverny, haystacks in the French countryside, trains pulling into Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris, the façade of the Rouen cathedral. A pioneer of the Impressionist movement, Claude Monet created paintings capturing nature’s fleeting moments—and rendered the scenes unforgettable.

Monet first concentrated on landscapes and seascapes because of his fascination with how the changing atmospheric elements of light, clouds, sun, and wind transformed the scenes before him. Later at his home and garden in Giverny, he found a new setting in which to explore that inspiration of a lifetime. Art historian Joseph P. Cassar leads an in-depth look at one of the most influential and best-loved Impressionist painters.

JULY 10 The Early Years

JULY 17 The Birth of Impressionism

JULY 24 A Home in Giverny

JULY 31 The Water Lilies Installation

4-session series: Wed., July 10–31, 10:30 a.m.; CODE 1K0-486; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Art Deco

Commercializing the Avant-Garde

Prior to the 1960s, the bold, geometric, machine-focused style now called Art Deco was known by many names. Drawing from a recent exhibition at Poster House in New York City, the museum’s chief curator, Angelina Lippert, offers a lively chronicle of its rise and fall. Her overview begins at the 1925 Paris Exhibition, where avant-garde Modernist styles became a global influence, and concludes as Deco graphics became more nationalistic in the lead-up to World War II.

Thurs., July 11, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-092; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

German Expressionism and the Modernist Impulse

As the threat of World War I loomed over them in the opening decades of the 20th century, German artists became disillusioned with the culture around them and began to move away from art that was outward facing to one focused on their subjective feelings. Raw and uncompromising, their art reflected their Modernist interpretations of a tumultuous world. David Gariff of the National Gallery of Art explores the vital role that German and Austrian Expressionism played in a period of volatile contradictions—providing a fertile ground for the emergence of the new visual languages of Max Beckmann, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, Emil Nolde, and Egon Schiele.

Sun., July 14, 3 p.m.; CODE 1H0-823; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Portrait of Claude Monet by Nadar

Dance Hall Bellevue by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, 1909/1910

RUTH AND JACOB KAINEN COLLECTION, COURTESY NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, WASHINGTON

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

Versions of the Baroque

The age of the Baroque coincides with the 17th century, one of the most transformational periods in European history. Despite the many variants of this style, its most salient features include emphasis on sensual richness, drama, movement, emotional exuberance, and a tendency to blur distinctions between the various arts.

1665

These characteristics reflected important social and cultural developments sparked by forces including religion, government, global exploration, and science. Art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine discusses the main currents of Baroque art in countries ranging from Italy and Spain to France and Holland.

10 a.m. Social and Cultural Context

11:15 a.m. The Growth of the Baroque in Italy

12:15 p.m. Break

12:45 p.m. The Baroque in France and Spain

2 p.m. The Baroque in the Low Countries Fri., July 26, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; CODE 1K0-495: Members $80; Nonmembers $90

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

Chinese

Art: From the Bronze Age to the People’s

Republic

With a dynamic history that spans the Neolithic period to the modern age, Chinese civilization has produced some of the world’s most remarkable artistic creations. Robert DeCaroli, a professor in the department of history and art history at George Mason University, examines how shifts in China’s social, religious, and political life have influenced transformations in its material culture.

AUG 1 Origins of Chinese Culture

AUG 8 Foundations of the Chinese Imperial System

AUG 15 China and the Outside World

AUG 22 From the Forbidden City to the People’s Republic

4-session series: Thurs., Aug. 1–22, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-380; Members $100; Nonmembers $110

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Provenance Trap

How Forgers Fool the Art World

“The world wishes to be deceived, so let it be deceived.” This motto attributed to the Roman satirist Petronius is as true now as it was in the 1st century. While today fake news steals the headlines, the history of art forgery is packed with stories of tricksters who, while more pranksters than gangsters, succeeded in fooling the art world and profiting while doing so.

Art historian Noah Charney uncovers the “provenance trap,” a methodology in five variables that have most often and most successfully led to forgers fooling experts. He dives into a series of intriguing, quirky, and enlightening case studies involving famous forgers Han van Meegeren, John Myatt, Eric Hebborn, Ely Sakhai, and Shaun Greenhalgh.

Tues., Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-826; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Girl with a Pearl Earring,

A Tang Dynasty glazed pottery horse from the collection of the Shanghai Museum

Art forger Han van Meegeren at work on a fake Vermeer, 1945

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Rodin and the Birth of Modern Sculpture

Auguste Rodin is considered the father of modern sculpture. Yet his works were deeply inspired by ancient classical and Renaissance art. Art historian Judy Scott Feldman explores how Rodin’s fascination, even obsession, with earlier figural traditions inspired his fusion of tradition and innovation in “The Kiss,” “The Gates of Hell,” and his powerful “Monument to Balzac.”

She examines why Rodin was absorbed by the Parthenon sculptures he saw at the British Museum; how his visit to Italy and his encounter with the sculptures of Michelangelo transformed his treatment of the male nude; and why he created a prolific output of fragments including hands, feet, and headless torsos. Tues., Aug. 13, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-588; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Marie Laurencin

Painter of Sapphic Paris

Beginning in the early 20th century, French artist Marie Laurencin (1883–1956) created a unique pictorial world that placed women at the center of modern art. With a highly original painting style, Laurencin moved seamlessly between the maledominated Cubist avant-garde, lesbian literary and artistic circles, and the realms of fashion, ballet, and decorative arts.

Barnes Foundation docent Joe Caliva discusses “Marie Laurencin: Sapphic Paris,” a recent exhibition at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. Caliva explores Laurencin’s career, including her self-portraits, early Cubist paintings, and signature work— feminine and discreetly queer—that helped define 1920s Paris.

Wed., Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-046; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Jacob Lawrence and The Migration Series

Jacob Lawrence was one of America’s greatest painters of Black life and a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He was known for his series paintings, in which he documented important moments in global Black history through a sequence of painted panels.

Art historian LaNitra M. Berger examines one of Lawrence’s best-known projects, The Migration Series. Painted in 1941, the set of 60 captioned panels illustrates African Americans’ historic migration from the deep South to the North in the early 20th century. Berger discusses the historical context of Lawrence’s work and analyzes the paintings, providing an understanding of how the series contributes to our knowledge of African American history and culture.

Mon., Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-827; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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 Kiss” by Rodin, 1886 Musée Rodin, Paris

Panel 1, The Migration Series by Jacob Lawrence, 1941

Exhibition view of “Marie Laurencin: Sapphic Paris” at the Barnes Foundation

Lesser-Known Museums of Florence

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

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

Museum of the Convent of San Marco

The convent of San Marco, transformed into a museum in the 19th century, houses one of Florence’s most spectacular collections of sacred art. Decorated with frescoes painted by Fra Angelico and once home to the fiery preacher Girolamo Savonarola, the building is steeped in art, history, and culture and offers a sense of religious life in 15th-century Florence. Ruggiero delves into the art and history of the museum, where Dominican friars have lived for nearly 600 years.

Wed., Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-385; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Surrealism: From France to Latin America

While surrealism originated in Paris in the 1920s, it had enormous international impact. Michele Greet, the director of the art history program at George Mason University, follows the spread of surrealism to Latin America with a special focus on exhibitions such as the surrealist exhibition in Lima, Peru, in 1935 and the International Surrealist Exhibition held in Mexico City in 1940. The work of female artists in the movement, including Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington, and Remedios Varo, is also covered.

Wed., Sept. 4, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-386; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo: A Creative Partnership

Art historian Joseph P. Cassar takes a close look at the works of Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo as he examines their relationship as husband and wife and how their marriage affected each other’s work. Even though Rivera assured her of her talent, Kahlo remained in the shadow of the internationally famous painter, with limited recognition during her lifetime for her own career as an artist. Their similarities and contrasts in art and character are discussed by Cassar in an illustrated presentation that references key examples of their work and culminates in one of Kahlo’s most notable accomplishments: the purchase of one of her works by the Louvre in 1939.

Wed., Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-503; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Saint Dominic Adoring the Crucifixion, fresco by Fra Angelico

La huida (detail) by Remedios Varo, 1961, Museo de Arte Moderno

Installation views of “Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960”; images courtesy of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, photos by Rick Coulby

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Hirshhorn at 50

In celebration of its 50th-anniversary season, the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden has installed a major survey of artwork made during a transformative period characterized by new currents in science and philosophy, ever-increasing mechanization, and dramatic social change. “Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960” captures shifting cultural landscapes through a largely chronological presentation. Along the way, select contemporary artworks demonstrate how the themes and subjects of early 20th-century artists remain vital today.

Marina Isgro, associate curator, offers insights into the exhibition, which comprises rotating artworks in the museum’s permanent collection by 117 artists—including Francis Bacon, Jean Dubuffet, Lee Krasner, Wifredo Lam, Jacob Lawrence, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Jackson Pollock—made during 100 turbulent and energetic years.

Fri., Sept. 6, 12 p.m.; CODE 1T0-006; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Palladio and the

Villa Culture of the Veneto

Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio is best known for his majestic villas scattered throughout the Veneto countryside. Ranging from working farms to country residences, these structures reflect the contemporary view that spending time away from the chaos of the city was a path to moral betterment and provided the opportunity to engage in intellectual pursuits surrounded by the beauty of a pastoral setting.

Villa Godi, one of the first works by Palladio

Art historian Sophia D’Addio explores the architecture and context of several of Palladio’s villas in connection with his influential writings on villa design in The Four Books of Architecture. She highlights the Villa Barbaro, Villa Emo, and the iconic Villa Almerico-Capra, known as the Villa Rotonda, and examines a selection of painted decorations that adorn them.

Tues., Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-336; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Greek

Vase-Painting:

Gods and Humans

Drinking cup (skyphos) with the departure and recovery of Helen, 490 B.C.

What can a painted vase tell us about the lives and beliefs of the ancient Greeks? A lot, actually. The human activities and mythological subjects depicted on vessels from the 7th through the 5th century B.C.E. provide invaluable insights. The images range from simple paintings of young women fetching water to complex scenes involving heroic deeds and Homeric tales.

Art historian Renee Gondek explores the stories illustrated and highlights the artistry of the best-known painters, in addition to explaining the functions of the vessel shapes as well as the painting techniques.

Tues., Sept. 10, 12 p.m.; CODE 1T0-007; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Many Faces of the Mona Lisa

Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has sparked countless theories— from the well-established to the farfetched. But a set of 16th- and 17th-century copies scattered in collections from Russia to Spain complicate the mystery of the world’s most famous painting and have led collectors, museum professionals, and art historians to question what they think they know about the world’s most famous portrait.

Art historian Laura Morelli unravels the complexities and controversies of these “other Mona Lisas,” exploring the various theories, known history, and artistic nuances of the so-called Prado Mona Lisa, St. Petersburg Mona Lisa, Islesworth Mona Lisa, Chantilly Mona Lisa, and lesser-known renditions of Leonardo’s original masterpiece.

Wed., Sept. 11, 12 p.m.; CODE 1H0-828; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

Vermeer: In Praise of the Ordinary

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Audubon Redrawn

A New Look at the Artist and The Birds of America

John James Audubon—naturalist, artist, and creator of The Birds of America—is widely regarded as America’s first great watercolorist, but his artistic journey has never been examined. Art historian Roberta J. M. Olson, author of Audubon as Artist: A New Look at The Birds of America, explores how Audubon studied both past and concurrent artists to forge innovative works of fine art. Olson delves into the contemporary controversies surrounding this legendary figure, who, for the first time in history, accurately represented all avian species life-size.

Wed., Sept. 18, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-392; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Johannes Vermeer was a master of light and color. His artistry rests in his ability to transform a simple daily activity—such as pouring a jug of milk or reading a letter—into a sensitive exploration of human psychology. Gloriously lit, serene, and exquisitely rendered, masterpieces like The Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Milkmaid, Girl with the Red Hat, and The Music Lesson continue to speak to us through their ability to touch on some of the most universal ideas in human experience.

Art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine discusses Vermeer’s place within the artistic cultures of Holland and his native city; examines some of his favorite themes; and describes his legacy as reflected in the work of artists and writers following his rediscovery in the late 19th century. 10 a.m. The Sphinx of Delft

11:15 a.m. Principal Themes and Ideas in Vermeer’s Painting 12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. Painting as Philosophy 2:30 p.m. Vermeer’s Legacy

Fri., Sept. 13, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-508; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

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

Prado Mona Lisa, c. 1507–1516

The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer, 1660

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Camille Pissarro: Faithful Impressionist

The Danish-French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro was an odd man out among the Impressionist fold. He was Jewish, a native of St. Thomas, and older than his fellow artists Monet, Renoir, and Sisley, though he remained faithful to their avant-garde style. Despite their differences and politics—the Dreyfus Affair split the colleagues—Pissarro was the only artist to exhibit in all eight French Impressionist group exhibitions held between 1874 and 1886. Art historian Bonita Billman examines Pissarro’s landscapes and genre subjects and his range of materials and forms including charcoal drawings, watercolors, etchings, and oil paintings.

Thurs., Sept. 19, 12 p.m.; CODE 1M2-340; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Ghosts and Spirits in Buddhism

The Bhavachakra (Wheel of Life), symbolically represents realms of existence, including that of the “hungry ghost”

The Buddhist world is alive with the supernatural. Ghosts and spirits, which the religion often describes as living out the consequences of past actions, wander the world imbued with the capacity for either great kindness or terrible wickedness.

Art historian Robert DeCaroli tells the stories of the hungry ghosts, demons, and nature spirits who have haunted Buddhism since its earliest days. He reveals their contributions to Buddhism’s development and shares examples from art and literature drawn from across Asia.

Tues., Oct. 1, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-396; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Lost and Found

A Rediscovered Masterpiece Blooms at the National Gallery of Art

In 1783, a gorgeous still-life of flowers and fruit was displayed at the prestigious Salon in Paris by one of its few female members, Anne Vallayer-Coster. She kept Still Life with Flowers in an Alabaster Vase and Fruit, despite receiving many offers for it, and her husband held onto it after her death. But the painting disappeared after he died in 1824.

Happily, Still Life with Flowers in an Alabaster Vase and Fruit was rediscovered in 2022 and now hangs at the National Gallery of Art (NGA). Aaron Wile, NGA associate curator of French painting, explores this work’s fascinating story and Vallayer-Coster’s life.

Wed., Sept. 25, 12 p.m.; CODE 1T0-008; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

Enduring Themes in Western Art

Over the centuries, major themes in art continue to appear and reappear. Portraiture, landscapes, religious images, and the human figure are a few notable examples of areas that artists have interpreted in styles ranging from the naturalistic to the surreal. Art historian Joseph Cassar examines important masterworks within these genres, offering new ways to understand and appreciate their similarities as well the uniqueness of the artists and the cultural norms that influenced them.

OCT 9 Portraits

OCT 16 Landscapes

OCT 23 Religious Images

OCT 30 The Figure

4-session series: Wed., Oct. 9–30, 10:30 a.m.; CODE 1K0-504; Members $100; Nonmembers $110

La Grande Odalisque by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, 1814

Still Life with Flowers in an Alabaster Vase and Fruit by Anne Vallayer-Coster, 1783

IN PERSON

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Drawing Treasures

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.

Sculptures in the National Gallery of Art

Stretch your creative muscles and deepen your observational skills at the National Gallery of Art. Create a drawntreasure map as you visually explore time, space, and place in the museum’s West Wing sculpture galleries.

IN PERSON: Sat., July 13, 10 a.m.; Renee Sandell; National Gallery of Art West Building, Ground Floor; CODE 1E00KB; Members $110; Nonmembers $125

Museum Discoveries

By Renee Sandell

Drawing Sculptures at the Hirshhorn

Discover the sculptures of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in this artful treasure hunt. Practice your observation and sketching skills alongside other participants while you are surrounded by modern and contemporary artworks.

By Renee Sandell

IN PERSON: Sat., Sept. 14, 10:15 a.m.; Renee Sandell; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; CODE 1E0-0HF; Members $110; Nonmembers $125

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Beginning Oil Painting

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

SOLD OUT

IN PERSON: Sun., Aug. 4–Sept. 15, 2:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0KQ; Members $245; Nonmembers $280

Intermediate Oil Painting

Expand on your technical background and grow your practice as an oil painter. This class provides students with the opportunity to work on personal projects, set up a still-life arrangement, and explore figure painting from a live model. Unfurl your style with support and feedback from the instructor.

IN PERSON: Sun., Aug. 4–Sept. 15, 10:15 a.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0KL; Members $245; Nonmembers $280

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

En Plein Air Painting in a Smithsonian Garden

Post-Impressionism

Inspired by Cézanne

Using watercolors, capture the nuances of the natural light in the beautiful Enid A. Haupt Garden next to the Smithsonian Castle. Study the delicate subtleties of the plants and learn to translate your observations into stunning PostImpressionistic studies and paintings.

IN PERSON: Sun., Aug. 18 and 25, 11 a.m.; Sandra Gobar; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0HZ; Members $115; Nonmembers $140

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Paper Frenzy

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

By Sharon Robinson

IN PERSON: Sat., July 13–Aug. 3, 1 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0KD; Members $165; Nonmembers $190

By Shahin Talishkhan

By Sandra Gobar

IN PERSON

Dissecting Design with Abstract Collage

Learn to understand design and composition in nonobjective mixed-media art. Examine works by various artists to discern the elements of composition, how they were used, and how they are expressed in different styles. Then apply what you learn to your practice.

By Sharon Robinson

IN PERSON: Sat., Aug. 17–Sept. 14, 1 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0HP; Members $165; Nonmembers $200

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Embroidered Patch Workshop

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

By Heather Kerley

IN PERSON: Sat., Aug. 17, 11 a.m.; Heather Kerley; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0LD; Members $55; Nonmembers $70

Freestyle Embroidery Basics

In this introduction to freestyle hand embroidery, a style in which the stitches are applied freely, students learn how to select and prepare fabric using a simple design, ready their hoop, and begin stitching.

TWO IN-PERSON OPTIONS: Sat., July 20, 11 a.m. (CODE 1E00KC); Sat., Sept. 7, 11 a.m. (CODE 1E0-0HG); Heather Kerley; Ripley Center; Members $55; Nonmembers $70 By

Heather Kerley

NEW CLASSES

Painting with Wool

Use your knowledge of the principles of art and design as you create compositions, blend colors, and form shadows to evoke realistic or abstract painted images with felt. Play with the possibilities of felt to create 3D and relief effects.

By Renate Maile-Moskowitz

IN PERSON: Sat., Sept. 7 and Sun., Sept. 8, 10:30 a.m.; Renate Maile-Moskowitz; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0EU; Members $185; Nonmembers $210

Knitting Day Camp

Help with Projects

The knitting doctor is in: Bring a project that you want help starting, one that you are stuck on, or something you would like advice on. Draw on the instructor’s expertise and fellow students’ ideas to brainstorm solutions and suggestions.

IN PERSON: Sat., Aug. 24, 10:30 a.m.; Ann Richards; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0HS; Members $60; Nonmembers $75

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Mosaic Express

Create a 2D, contemporary mixed-media mosaic artwork while you learn the basics of mosaics, experience working with a variety of materials, and enjoy the company of others in the studio. Everything you need to create a small home décor artwork is provided.

IN PERSON: Sat., Aug. 17, 10:30 a.m.; Bonnie Fitzgerald; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0HQ; Members $105; Nonmembers $120 NEW CLASS

SOLD OUT

By Bonnie Fitzgerald

IN PERSON

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On-Location Photography at Washington National Cathedral

By Andargé Asfaw

In the first session, visit and photograph Washington National Cathedral—with architectural features ranging from gargoyles to stunning stained glass windows. Then in the second session, which is online, learn composition techniques and strategies during the follow-up critique.

IN PERSON: Wed., July 17 and 24, 10 a.m., Andargé Asfaw; Washington National Cathedral; CODE 1E0-0LC; Members $115; Nonmembers $140

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.

IN PERSON: Sun., July 14–Aug. 18, 1:45 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0KM; Members $195; Nonmembers $230

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.

Visual Journaling: Creativity Workout

In an afternoon of artistic experimentation designed to strengthen creative muscles and deepen skills in visual expression, explore five modes of visual thinking: working from memory, observation, imagination, narrative, and experimental approaches.

By Renee Sandell

ONLINE: Sat., July 27, 1 p.m.; Renee Sandell; CODE 1E0-0JY; Members $80; Nonmembers $95

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.

ONLINE: Mon., Aug. 5–19, 6:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; CODE 1E0-0KF; Members $125; Nonmembers $150

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

By Joe Yablonsky

Moroccan Café by Matisse, 1913

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World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Drawing Light and How the Masters Did It

Learn the strategies Rembrandt, Daumier, and Cézanne used to harness light in their images. Participants investigate how these masters manipulated light to unify, intensify, and give dimension to their images. Inclass exercises focus on using graphite to draw studies of masterworks.

By Nick Cruz Velleman

ONLINE: Tues., Aug. 6–Sept. 10, 1 p.m.; Nick Cruz Velleman; CODE 1E0-0JA; Members $210; Nonmembers $245

Exploring Alcohol Inks

By Sharon Robinson

Take a dive into the possibilities of alcohol inks as a component of your mixed-media arsenal. With intense, saturated color, alcohol inks offer many possibilities on a variety of surfaces, from tiles to paper.

ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 7–28, 6:30 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; CODE 1E0-0JP; Members $150; Nonmembers $175

Oil Pastels for Beginners

Oil pastels behave like chalk pastels but possess characteristics similar to those of wax crayons. While producing a painterly effect, oil pastels can be applied with a limited degree of layering. Students learn proper application and blending techniques.

ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 8 and 15, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; CODE 1E0-0HW; Members $95; Nonmembers $120

By Lori VanKirk Schue

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit The Mark of van Gogh

This introduction to Vincent van Gogh’s accomplishments in drawing pays particular attention to his unique and instantly recognizable touch. Participants investigate how his imaginative mark making forms his images. In-class exercises revolve around drawing studies of his masterworks.

By Nick Cruz Velleman

ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 8–22, 1 p.m.; Nick Cruz Velleman; CODE 1E0-0HV; Members $135; Nonmembers $160

By Eric Westbrook

Portrait Drawing

Capturing the likeness of an individual is a time-honored, essential tradition in art. In this class, students are introduced to the basic steps of how to create a convincing portrait using charcoal or graphite.

ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 14–Sept. 4, 7 p.m.; Eric Westbrook; CODE 1E0-0JM; Members $195; Nonmembers $220

Children’s Book Illustration

Creating illustrations for a children’s book is fun once you know the basics. Find out how to start; fit illustrations to the storyline; choose mediums that are most successful; transform reality into whimsy; and listen to an author to gain insight into the vision for the story and its characters.

ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 22 and 29, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; CODE 1E0-0HU; Members $105; Nonmembers $130

By Lori VanKirk Schue

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Introduction to Afghan Geometric Design

For centuries, religious and secular Islamic manuscripts have contained beautiful geometric decorations. Explore the history and construction of these traditional designs before creating ones of your own with opaque watercolors and gold, outlined in black ink.

ONLINE: Sun., July 14–Aug. 18, 1 p.m., Sughra Hussainy; CODE 1E0-0KK; Members $235; Nonmembers $270

By Sughra Hussainy

Seasonal Quick-Sketch for a Day

Discover how to quickly capture the beauty of any season with loose lines and painterly colors using a quick-sketch watercolors method. Learn how to see like an artist, compose a scene, and draw more organically as you build your confidence.

By Cindy Briggs

ONLINE: Sat., Aug. 3, 10 a.m.; Cindy Briggs; CODE 1E00HR; Members $160; Nonmembers $185

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Drawing Light

How the Masters Did It in Color

Using watercolor, learn the strategies Delacroix, Turner, Monet, and Cézanne employed to manipulate the viewer’s experience of light in their images. In-class exercises focus on making studies of masterworks to create similar luminous effects.

By Nick Cruz Velleman

ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 7–Sept. 11, 1 p.m. Nick Cruz Velleman; CODE 1E0-0JQ; Members $210; Nonmembers $245

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Sketching Turner

Expressing Atmosphere and Skies in Watercolor

This course is an introduction to J.M.W. Turner’s vast achievements in watercolor, with particular attention to his manner of expressing light and atmosphere. In-class exercises revolve around making studies of his masterworks with an emphasis on creating cohesive sketches, not replicas.

ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 29–Sept. 12, 1 p.m.; Nick

Velleman; CODE 1E0-0HY; Members $115; Nonmembers $140

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By Kate Lewis

Newsprint Collage

Making art can be a wonderful way to escape from everyday life. It can also be a useful tool to understand current events. Working with newspapers, magazines, and mixed-media techniques, create a visual representation of the news.

ONLINE: Tues., July 9–23, 10:30 a.m., Kate Lewis; CODE 1E0-0KS; Members $175; Nonmembers $200

Collage and Mixed Media

Students are introduced to the materials, tools, and technologies used in collage and assemblage. They explore the use of text, images, texture, and natural and found objects as they create collage, mixed-media, or assemblage projects.

ONLINE: Wed., July 10–31, 1:30 p.m.; Marcie Wolf-Hubbard; CODE 1E0-0KY; Members $130; Nonmembers $155

By Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

Cruz

By Nick Cruz Velleman

By Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

Collage and Mixed Media: People and Places

Explore the possibilities of collage, realistic abstraction, and altered images as you create works centered around people and places. Experiment with a range of materials and techniques to create your own story, including exploring real or imagined landscapes, architecture, portraits, and self-portraits.

ONLINE: Wed., July 10–31, 6:30 p.m., Marcie Wolf-Hubbard; CODE 1E0-0KZ; Members $130; Nonmembers $155

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Confidence with Color in Quilting

Create spectacular color combinations in your quilts as you build your color theory vocabulary and learn how to beautifully incorporate many types of printed fabric through exercises presented in this class for quilters ready to level up.

By Lauren Kingsland

ONLINE: Wed., July 17–31, 1 p.m., Lauren Kingsland; CODE 1E0-0KX; Members $115; Nonmembers $140

Related tour: A Pattern of History, p. 54

By Tea Okropiridze

Weave a Houndstooth Scarf

Jump on your loom and learn how to weave a houndstooth scarf just in time for the fall season. Experiment with techniques and explore color options to construct your custom woven piece.

ONLINE: Wed., Sept. 11 and Thurs., Sept. 12, 10 a.m.; Tea Okropiridze; CODE 1E0-0HK; Members $135; Nonmembers $160

NEW CLASSES

Craft a Quilted Coat

By Lauren Kingsland

Choose to upcycle a vintage quilt or make your own fabric selection, then follow a basic pattern to have your custom quilted coat done just in time for fall.

ONLINE: Mon., July 8–29, 1 p.m., Lauren Kingsland; CODE 1E0-0JV; Members $155; Nonmembers $180

Slow Stitch Fabric Journal

Let your creativity flow as you slow stitch a fabric journal composed of your favorite embroidery stitches, embellishments, and fabric scraps. Build a repertoire of embroidery stitches combined with other textile-based elements to produce a finished, bound fabric book.

By Heather Kerley

ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 14–Sept. 4, 12 p.m.; Heather Kerley; CODE 1E0-0KW; Members $135; Nonmembers $160

By Lauren Kingsland

Hand Quiltmaking for the Non-perfectionist

This class is for those who feel utterly untalented at sewing yet want to make a quilt. Journey from not knowing to bold experiments, finding your sense of quiltmaking confidence as you learn strategies for piecing, appliqué, quilting, and finishing.

ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 14–28, 1 p.m.; Lauren Kingsland; CODE 1E0-0JN; Members $125; Nonmembers $150

NEW CLASS

Repeating Patterns in Crocheted and Tatted Lace

By Lauren Kingsland

Explore basic techniques of lace crochet and tatting while learning about the historical context of lace and its creation. Look at ways to incorporate your modern lace into garments or fiber art.

ONLINE: Tues., Aug. 27–Sept. 10, 12 p.m.; Lauren Kingsland; CODE 1E0-0JB; Members $125; Nonmembers $150

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CALLIGRAPHY

Alternative Pens for Mark Making and Calligraphy

Have fun experimenting with creating writing instruments from common household objects and items foraged from nature. This workshop is geared toward people who want to push their creativity to the next level in their painting, mark making, creation of textures, and calligraphy.

By Sharmila Karamchandani

ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 28–Sept. 11, 6 p.m.; Sharmila Karamchandani; CODE 1E0-0LH; Members $115; Nonmembers $140

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Orchids Gone Wild

In their native environments, most common orchids grow on trees. This class teaches you how to free your orchid from the confines of its pot and mount it on a piece of wood.

ONLINE: Wed., July 17, 6:30 p.m.; Barb Schmidt; CODE 1E0-0CX; Members $35; Nonmembers $50

Orchids for Beginners

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

ONLINE: Tues., Aug. 13, 6:30 p.m.; Barb Schmidt; CODE 1E0-0JK; Members $45; Nonmembers $60

Single-Sheet Books

Learn four simple techniques to transform a single sheet of paper into a unique book. In each class, make two variations of each type of book: one shaped like a house, a maze book, an amulet book, and an accordion matchbox book.

By Sushmita Mazumdar

ONLINE: Tues., Aug. 6–27, 1 p.m.; Sushmita Mazumdar; CODE 1E0-0JL; Members $140; Nonmembers $175

Fall Studio Arts classes

From Art Journaling for Self-Expression to The Mark of van Gogh to Search and Rescue: Back from the (Creative) Edge, the fall lineup of Studio Arts classes goes on sale in August. Look for them in next month's issue!

Lady Ackland's cattleya (Cattleya aclandiae)

Phalaenopsis schilleriana

NEW CLASSES

By Mïa Vollkommer

Multi-strand Necklaces Workshop

Bring your beaded creations to the next level with multi-strand clasps, cones, and spacers to create multistrand designs with strung beads and decorative finishing.

ONLINE: Sun., July 14, 12 p.m., Mïa Vollkommer; CODE 1E0-0KE; Members $75; Nonmembers $90

Butane Micro Torch 101 for Jewelers

Add new techniques to your wire-working toolbox with the use of a butane micro torch. Topics covered include torch setup and safety for your home studio, as well as melting and fusing to create distinctive findings and a simple chain with fine silver wire.

By Mïa Vollkommer

ONLINE: Thurs., Aug. 15 and 22, 6 p.m.; Mïa Vollkommer; CODE 1E0-0HX; Members $130; Nonmembers $155

Bead Weaving Spiral Rope

With this off-loom technique, create a colorful, flexible tube from seed beads of various sizes. The hollow tube can be used to make a necklace or bracelet. Finishing techniques, including clasp ideas, are demonstrated in class.

By Mïa Vollkommer

ONLINE: Thurs., Sept. 5 and 12, 6 p.m.; Mïa Vollkommer; CODE 1E00HL; Members $130; Nonmembers $155

By Bonnie Fitzgerald

Mosaics for Beginners

Build a solid creative and technical foundation for working with mosaics via weekly lectures, demonstrations, and work-along periods. Select from eight patterns designed by the instructor, with the option to work in either glass tiles or unglazed porcelain.

SOLD OUT

ONLINE: Tues., July 23–Aug. 13, 6:30 p.m., Bonnie Fitzgerald; CODE 1E0-0KR; Members $165; Nonmembers $190

PHOTOGRAPHY n n n n

Natural Lighting Conditions

Light can make or break your photos. Learn the essentials of shooting in a natural-light setting and how to gauge the direction of light; recognize degree of diffusion; minimize (or emphasize) lens flare; and control conditions with lens hoods.

ONLINE: Thurs., July 11, 6:30 p.m., Joe Yablonsky; CODE 1E0-0KP; Members $55; Nonmembers $70

Slow Shutter Speed Photography

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

ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 7 and 14, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; CODE 1E0-0JR; Members $90; Nonmembers $110

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.

Photographing Industrial Items

Learn the camera controls, composition, and lighting considerations to achieve artful images of items such as brickwork, apartment or office buzzers, call boxes, and vintage signage. Working knowledge of your camera is required, along with willingness to see the mundane as magnificent.

ONLINE: Thurs., Sept. 5 and 12, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; CODE 1E0-0HM; Members $90; Nonmembers $115

NEW CLASSES

By Joe Yablonsky

By Lewis Katz

Smartphone Photography

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Cyanotype: Hands-On History of Photography

Delve into the history of cyanotypes, a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue and white print, and create your own cyanotype in this unique studio arts class.

By Patricia Howard

ONLINE: Sat., Sept. 7 and 14, 12 p.m.; Patricia Howard; CODE 1E0-0HJ; Members $80; Nonmembers $105

Fundamentals of Digital Printing

How many times do your digital prints not reflect the image on your monitor? Learn why this occurs as well as the information you need to accurately execute a digital print. Topics include monitor calibration, photographic papers, and aspect ratio.

ONLINE: Sat., July 13–27, 10 a.m.; Lewis Katz; CODE 1E0-0GW; Members $115; Nonmembers $140

Learn how to take good images with your smartphone. By understanding a few principles of what makes a good image, you can use your phone’s camera to create stunning photographs.

ONLINE: Sat., Sept. 7 and 14, 11 a.m.; Sharmila Karamchandani; CODE 1E0-0LG; Members $80; Nonmembers $105

Taking Better Photos

Learn to develop your photographic vision and take better photos more consistently. Foster a deliberate approach to composition, balance, and lighting conditions and discover how to keep it simple.

ONLINE: Wed., Aug. 21–Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; CODE 1E0-0JS; Members $125; Nonmembers $150

By Joe Yablonsky

Smithsonian Associates expert-led Study Tours offer one-of-a-kind in-person experiences. They’re the perfect way to learn more about the places and topics that fascinate you, and you’re sure to discover plenty of new favorites along the way.

2-Day Tour

The

Summer at the Theater

Contemporary American Theater Festival

One of the top theater festivals in the world, the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, helps shape the future of American theater. Each summer since 1991, the festival has produced bold new plays that spotlight daring and diverse stories. Washington, D.C., area theater aficionado Lynn O’Connell leads a visit to the festival.

Over the course of two days, attend the premieres of three plays. In addition to the performances, enjoy “talktheater” sessions that offer an opportunity to meet with actors, artistic directors, staff, and special guests for lectures, discussions, and staged readings, all focused on issues and themes in the plays.

Fri., July 12, 8:15 a.m.–Sat., July 13, 7 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-CTF; Members $725; Nonmembers $965

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Armor of the Samurai

At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Travel to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond with historian Justin M. Jacobs for an awe-inspiring look at Japan’s exquisitely crafted samurai armor from one of the largest and finest collections in the world. The assembled works from the collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller offer a glimpse of samurai history with a focus on the flourishing culture of the Edo period.

The samurai, whose name means “those who serve,” rose to prominence as masterful swordsmen, archers, and equestrians beginning in the 12th century.

During the Edo period (1615–1868), they continued to dominate political, social, and cultural aspects of Japan until their fall in the late 19th century.

The exhibition of more than 140 objects features full suits of armor and an array of weapons, helmets, masks, horse accessories, woodblock prints, and textiles. A guided tour of the exhibition is the centerpiece of a day that includes time to enjoy the museum’s extensive holdings, including a dazzling Fabergé collection.

Sun., July 14, 7:45 a.m.–7 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-038; Members $200; Nonmembers $250

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 Marinoff Theater, site of the Contemporary American Theater Festival

Bus Tour

Sōmen (full-face mask), Edo period, 1710

©

Nimaitachidō Tōsei Gusoku armor, Muromachi period, ca. 1400

North to Freedom: Harriet Tubman’s Eastern Shore

Born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland, around 1822, young Araminta Ross faced adversity from an early age. These hardships transformed “Minty” into Harriet Tubman, the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad, and her childhood knowledge of the geography of the Eastern Shore played a key role in her success in ferrying more than 70 people to freedom by 1860.

Historian Anthony Cohen uncovers the saga of Tubman’s life by exploring significant sites in the region where she was raised—and that shaped her dreams of freedom and equality. He chronicles Tubman’s life and the journey she and others took on their perilous journey north to freedom. Visit the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center; Bucktown Village Store, where a violent encounter altered young Tubman’s life; and the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center. Stops at sites along the Underground Railroad provide insights into Tubman’s life and achievements.

Sat., July 20, 8 a.m.–6:15 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-039; Members $185; Nonmembers $235

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

An Artful Weekend in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes Foundation, and Rodin Museum

The art of Impressionist-era creators is in the spotlight during a 2-day visit to three of Philadelphia’s outstanding collections led by art historian Ursula Rehn Wolfman.

Begin with a guided tour of the Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibition “Mary Cassatt at Work,” devoted to the works of the celebrated Pennsylvania-born Impressionist, who challenged the conventional expectations of Philadelphia’s elite. This is the first major showing of the artist’s oeuvre since 1998–99 and presents new findings about the materials she used and her processes, which were advanced for her era. The exhibition displays over 130 works that follow Cassatt’s evolving practice and demonstrate her interest in artmaking.

Works by Renoir, Cezanne, Seurat, Monet, Manet, and Degas are among the treasures in the Barnes museum’s collection of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The exhibition “Matisse & Renoir: New Encounters at the Barnes” places masterpieces from the same period near each other and traces the development of the work of these two artists. Enjoy a private guided tour of the galleries before the museum opens to the public and then time on your own before lunch in the museum’s Garden Pavilion.

In the Loge, ca. 1879, by Mary Cassatt

Focus on the art and legacy of one of France’s most influential sculptors during a visit to the Rodin Museum. Showcased in an elegant Beaux-Arts style building, the collection of nearly 150 bronze, marble, and plaster sculptures represents every phase of Auguste Rodin’s career. It is one of the most comprehensive public collections of Rodin’s work outside Paris.

Sat., Aug. 10, 7 a.m.–Sun., Aug. 11, 8 p.m., by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-PAO; Members $650; Nonmembers $865

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

2-Day Tour

Installation at the Rodin Museum

Stewart's Canal in Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Historic Park

Bus Tour

A Pattern of History

What Quilts Reveal

Quilting is a tradition that has transcended the limits of culture and eras, likely making its way to North America with early immigrants. As styles and techniques changed, the common thread in the creation of quilts remained their makers: women. Led by Alden O’Brien, textile and costumes curator at the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, explore the role quilting has played in our society, including how it has expressed emotion and acted as a force of social justice.

Begin the day at the DAR museum in Washington, D.C., where O’Brien gives a tour of the exhibition “Sewn in America: Making—Meaning—Memory,” which features quilts, clothing, and needlework from 1750 to today. The exhibition looks at the role sewing played in the lives of American women and the ways they expressed emotions, identity, and opinions through their quilts and other textiles. Visit a selection of the museum’s period rooms, some of which include quilts and sewing tools, in self-guided tours.

Continue to the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg to go behind the scenes in the conservation lab for an up-close view of a selection of quilts from the archives. Guided tours highlight three special exhibitions, including “Sacred Threads,” which explores themes of joy, inspiration, spirituality, healing, grief, and peace through quiltwork.

Round out the day at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia. The living history museum recreates farm life in the regions that had been home to the immigrants most responsible for creating the folk culture of Virginia and traces rural life in the New World. Houses and farmyards represent life in England, Germany, Ireland, and West Africa in the 17th and 18th centuries, and Native American and European farms replicate the 1760s, 1820s, and 1860s. The farms provide a sense of some of the contexts in which women were quilting, sewing, knitting, spinning, and weaving.

Fri., July 26, 8:30 a.m.–8 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-040; Members $175; Nonmembers $225

Related Studio Arts classes on quilting, p. 51

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.

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

Sunrise Walks at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Rise early and enjoy a delightful summer walk at Virginia’s Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. The 95-acre setting features thousands of ornamental and native plants in numerous collections; lakes and adjacent forests that attract a variety of birds; a restored log cabin that embodies the colorful history of the garden; and a unique Korean bell pavilion, the only structure of its type in an American public garden. American Horticultural Society international travel guide Keith Tomlinson leads a hilly 3-mile walk on paved and mulched trails.

TWO OPTIONS: Sat., Aug. 10 (CODE 1NW-A02); Fri., Aug. 16 (CODE 1NW-B02); 6:30–8:30 a.m.; detailed tour information on website; Members $50; Nonmembers $75

Bus Tour

Silk embroidery on silk needlework with watercolor and spangles by Eliza Camp, 1810

Nature Walk

Lakeside gazebo on Lake Caroline at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

A Natural History of the Mid-Atlantic

Stories of Calvert County, Maryland

The geography and environment of the Mid-Atlantic were shaped over hundreds of millions of years, reflecting influences that include the impact of a massive meteor; four tectonic mountain-building events; ice sheets and tropical oceans; plants and animals; and at least 15,000 years of human habitation. Environmental historian Hayden Mathews interprets the many layers of the region’s natural history as he leads a tour to three sites in Calvert County, Maryland: Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, Calvert Marine Museum, and Flag Ponds Nature Park.

On American Soil

Explore the rich history of the region as you hear Mathews’ tales of colliding continents, changing climate, species new and old, and fascinating people. Smell sea salt and the scent of pine trees and see towering bald cypresses, a rare albino snapping turtle, and the bones of ancient whales, camels, and mastodons.

On the return journey, enjoy a stop at the Annmarie Sculpture Gardens & Arts Center in Solomons, a Smithsonian Affiliate. Stroll along a walking path that weaves through the woods, a serene setting for the large collection of outdoor sculpture.

Sat., Aug. 17, 8:15 a.m.–7 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-041; Members $153; Nonmembers $205

The 1814 British Invasion of the Chesapeake

When the vanguard of a powerful British fleet entered the Virginia Capes on the morning of Feb. 4, 1813, the last thing likely on the minds of farmers in the fertile Patuxent River valley of Maryland a hundred miles to the north was war. However, within months, the Chesapeake Bay had become a veritable British lake and the Maryland countryside a land of danger and destruction. By the summer of 1814, the capital of the United States was the destination point of the first major attack on American soil in history.

Follow the invasion and retreat routes of the British Army in the War of 1812 as it successfully attacked the nation’s capital, resulting in the 1814 burning of the Capitol, Washington Navy Yard, and the White House, seeing relevant sites along the way. Hear the story of Dr. William Beanes and his incidental connection to Francis Scott Key. Walk the grounds of pivotal conflicts, including the historic land-sea Battle of St. Leonard Creek.

During the afternoon, a visit to the Calvert Marine Museum explores an exhibit on the Chesapeake Flotilla. Continue to trace the route of the British Army through Maryland farmlands to the Battle of Bladensburg and learn how a divided nation of “states united” emerged from the War of 1812 to truly become the United States of America. Maritime historian Donald Grady Shomette leads the tour.

Sat., Aug. 24, 8 a.m.–6:45 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-042; Members $175; Nonmembers $225

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Charles Ball, an enslaved African American, was a seaman in the Chesapeake Flotilla

Bus Tour

Bus Tour

Drum Point Lighthouse at The Calvert Marine Museum

Walking Tour

New Deal Projects

Against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the New Deal ignited an unprecedented use of government resources to address crucial public services as a way to kick-start the American economy. But President Franklin Roosevelt said that in a hundred years, his New Deal would be remembered more for its arts than its job relief.

Discover landmarks, art, and other still-visible projects from the New Deal period with author David Taylor during a walking tour in Washington, D.C. Begin at Judiciary Square to see the public sculptures and dramatic courthouse bas reliefs there. Highlights along the route include the Henry F. Daly Building, constructed in the Classical Moderne style with the aid of Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds; the Federal Trade Commission Building, which features monumental Art Deco sculptures by WPA artists; and the National Mall and Washington Monument, both of which were renovated during the New Deal period. Conclude at the Department of the Interior for an optional staff-led tour of more than 40 New Deal–era murals, plus several 1941–1942 photomurals by Ansel Adams.

THREE OPTIONS: Fri., Sept. 6 (CODE 1CW-A21); Fri., Sept. 13 (CODE 1CW-B21); Fri., Sept. 27 (CODE 1CW-C21); 9:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.; detailed tour information on website; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Historic Chestertown

With a Cruise on the Schooner Sultana

The Sultana was a Boston-built merchant vessel that served for four years as the smallest schooner in the British Royal Navy. Manned by a 25-person crew, it patrolled the coastline of colonial North America—including the Chesapeake Bay—from 1768 to 1772, enforcing the hated Townsend Acts or “tea taxes.” A 2 1⁄2-hour cruise on a reproduction of the vessel is part of regional historian Hayden Mathews’ full-day exploration of the rich heritage of Chestertown, located in Kent County, the oldest county on the Eastern Shore.

Step aboard the Sultana, one of the most accurate 18th-century replicas in the world, for a vivid picture of working life on the water, including a glimpse at navigational tools and original log books. The cruise also offers an opportunity to learn about the ecology of the area and the importance of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. On land, Chestertown’s former mayor leads a walking tour of the town’s Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes many restored Georgian-style homes.

Sun., Sept. 8, 7:45 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1ND-011; Members $225; Nonmembers $275

Give the Gif t of Color

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

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

Bus Tour

Schooner Sultana

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

Man Controlling Trade by Michael Lantz, at the Federal Trade Commission Building

Education, mural by Millard Owen Sheets at the Department of Interior

Walking Tour

America’s Main Street

The White House and Pennsylvania Avenue

Pennsylvania Avenue has hosted inaugurations, protests, and parades throughout the history of the United States. But the development of this grand boulevard connecting the Capitol to the White House was fraught with conflict and intrigue. Visit Lafayette Square, walk Pennsylvania Avenue, and learn how this part of downtown Washington went from being Murder Bay to America’s Main Street.

Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, leads the tour and discusses the history of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and its neighborhood. Learn how this famous address has changed over the last 220 years. View other buildings along Lafayette Square, including the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and Blair House, and hear about the presidents, politicians, and power players who have lived along this storied block. Then stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue past the imposing facades of the Willard Hotel, Old Post Office Tower, Department of Justice, FBI headquarters, and National Archives.

THREE OPTIONS: Thurs., Sept. 12, 4–6 p.m. (CODE 1CW-A22); Fri., Sept. 13, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CW-B22); Sun., Sept. 15, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CW-C22); Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Go Behind the Curtain

A Day with DC-Area Theater Makers

Home to a vibrant theater scene, the Washington area offers opportunities for theater lovers to experience world-class productions, from grand-scale to intimate stages. Join local guide Lynn O’Connell for her second tour of the region’s theaters to explore five additional theaters, meeting key players who make the magic happen.

Get the show on the road at the Tony Award–winning Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Artistic Director Maria Manuela Goyanes discusses the company’s groundbreaking and boundary-pushing show selections and its community programming.

Head south to another Tony Award winner, Arlington’s Signature Theatre, where artistic director Matthew Gardiner previews what to expect onstage in the coming months. After a boxed lunch at the theater, step onto the set of an upcoming production for a backstage tour and a sneak peek at the performance.

The afternoon kicks off with a tour of Joe’s Movement Emporium, a space for artists to facilitate community-led change in Mount Rainier, Maryland, with executive director Brooke Kidd. At this multidisciplinary arts center, participants get a facility tour, peek into the studios, and see a short performance from one of the resident artist partners. Next, visit GALA Hispanic Theatre and meet with Rebecca Medrano, who founded the theater with her late husband in 1976. Learn about how they built up one of the most well-known Hispanic theaters in the country and their innovative approach to the challenges of setting up a space in Washington, D.C.

The day is a wrap at Spooky Action Theater, where artistic director Elizabeth Dinkova and Gillian Drake, New Works in Action program director, discuss their newest show, Cracking Zeus, at a light reception. Sat., Sept. 28, 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-044; Members $155; Nonmembers $205

Participants who register for this tour by Friday, Sept. 20, receive a complimentary registration to the Monday, Sept. 23, inperson Spotlight on DC’s Stages theater preview (see page 25).

Bus Tour

Woolly Mammoth Theatre

Lafayette Square and the White House

Signature Theatre

Eisenhower Executive Office Building

Caverns and Cabernets

A Fall Day in the Shenandoah Valley

Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley has a rich geological heritage, shaped over millions of years of natural history. Gregg Clemmer, an experienced caver, takes you deep into that ancient past at two of the state’s most notable caverns and offers a chance to sample products of the valley’s fertile soil at a visit to a regional vineyard and winery. Begin at Endless Caverns in New Market, where in 1879, a deep hole covered by boulders was found to be the entrance to a 6-mile-long limestone cave at the foot of the Massanutten mountain ridge. A guided tour takes you through its subterranean wonders.

After a picnic boxed lunch, spend the afternoon exploring Shenandoah Caverns, where you descend inside Virginia’s only cave elevator to see the formations that first captivated explorers in 1884: bush-like structures of aragonite crystal bursting from walls and stunning cascades of flowstone mineral deposits suspended from ceilings.

Back above ground, conclude the day with a guided wine tasting at Cave Ridge Winery amid the breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Valley.

Sat., Sept. 21, 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-043; Members $207; Nonmembers $257; This tour requires a significant amount of walking, standing, and dealing with steps.

The Golden Age of Steam

Strasburg Rail Excursion and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

A mecca for aficionados of railroad technology and history, Strasburg, Pennsylvania, offers the ideal destination for a tour led by rail historian James Reaves. Featured in the leisurely day are a round-trip steam train excursion through beautiful Lancaster County on the country’s oldest continuously operating railroad and an afternoon at one of America’s finest rail museums.

On arrival in Strasburg, take your seat on the Strasburg Rail Road in a meticulously restored Victorian-style railroad car that provides the perfect vantage point for picturesque views of Amish farms during a 45-minute ride. Step off the train and into the mechanical shop where steam trains are built and refurbished for a tour to learn how the mechanical department has been producing everything from fabricated parts to complete historic restoration for over 50 years. Spend the afternoon at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, which displays more than 100 locomotives and cars from the mid-19th and 20th centuries.

Sat., Oct. 5, 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-045; Members $190; Nonmembers $240

Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date.

Bus Tour

Bus Tour

Strasburg Rail Road locomotive Canadian #89 pulls passenger cars through Lancaster County

Strasburg Rail Road’s Lee E. Brenner dining car

Travertine dripstone formation, Shenandoah Caverns

JAMES ST. JOHN/FLICKR/CC

Travertine flowstone formation, Shenandoah Caverns

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

2-Day Tour

Exploring Frank Lloyd Wright

Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, and Polymath Park

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

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

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

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

Sun., Sept. 29, 7:15 a.m.–Mon., Sept. 30, 5:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-FKP; Members $555; Nonmembers $740

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

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

5-Day Tour

The Hamptons for Art Lovers

New York’s fabled Hamptons—where privet hedges hide grand estates and Modernist homes overlook the Atlantic surf—are more than an elite summer resort. The stark natural beauty of Long Island’s South Fork has inspired painters from William Merritt Chase and Childe Hassam to Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, and Lee Krasner.

In a tour led by arts journalist Richard Selden, participants encounter works by these artists and others at the Parrish Art Museum in the Southampton hamlet of Water Mill and at Guild Hall in the Village of East Hampton. The group also visits the former home and studio of Krasner and Pollock in the Town of East Hampton and the dune-bordered fishing village of Montauk at the island’s easternmost point.

Traveling from Washington, spend time in Brooklyn and visit Prospect Park—a favorite subject of Chase—and the Brooklyn Museum, coinciding with the opening of several galleries in its American Art wing after reinstallations. From the Hamptons, ferry across Long Island Sound for an afternoon in the charming village of Mystic, Connecticut. After a night in New Haven at a hotel designed by Marcel Breuer, the Yale University Art Gallery provides the tour’s concluding art experience on the return trip.

Sat., Oct. 5, 8 a.m.–Wed., Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1NN-HAM; Members $2,130; Nonmembers $2,840

The Big Bayberry Bush by William Merritt Chase

Fallingwater

2-Day Tour

Staunton, Shakespeare, and Steam

Fall in the Shenandoah Valley

Nestled in the heart of the scenic Shenandoah Valley, Staunton, Virginia, is alive with history, culture—and a little steam. Join Washington, D.C., area guide Lynn O’Connell for a weekend getaway that offers a sampling of Staunton’s best sights plus a train excursion.

Upon arriving in Staunton, visit Blackfriars Playhouse, the world’s only replica of Shakespeare’s indoor theater, where the magic of the bard’s works comes alive. Delve into the world of theater with a backstage tour, during which guides share secrets and anecdotes and offer insights into the playhouse’s inner workings. After lunch, embark on a delightful journey of mischief, pranks, and folly with a performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor

Following the performance, hit the streets for a leisurely walking tour of Staunton led by local guides. A three-course dinner at Mill Street Grill follows.

On Sunday, board the Virginia Scenic Railway for a 3-hour train journey, bound for the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Wind through rural landscapes, passing by working farms with cattle, horses, and sheep. Picture-worthy views of the Allegheny Mountains unfold as you venture west. The train turns around in the hamlet of Goshen in Rockbridge County. The day concludes back in Staunton with a guided tour through the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, offering insights into the legacy of the 28th president.

Sat., Oct. 19, 7:30 a.m.–Sun., Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-SSO; Members $715; Nonmembers $955

Outdoor Adventures in Shenandoah National Park: Big Meadows

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 with fellow participants and explore the Blue Ridge trails at the height of their fall beauty. 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.

Accommodations are at Big Meadows Lodge on Skyline Drive, which offers panoramic views of the mountain landscapes. Built in 1939 with stones hewn from Massanutten Mountain and native wormy chestnut, the lodge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Participants stay in preferred rooms, a short walk from the main lodge building.

Sun,. Oct. 20, 11 a.m.–Mon., Oct. 21, 4 p.m.; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1NN-SNP; Members $525; Nonmembers $700.

NOTE: Participants meet on site with independent travel to and from Shenandoah National Park.

Sign up for this tour by Sept. 6 and receive a complimentary registration for the online Geology of Shenandoah program on Sept. 9. (see page 30)

Hiking Note: This is an active trip that requires good stamina, balance, and sturdy shoes for hiking. Each day’s hike covers approximately 3-4 miles, with moderate elevation gain and uneven terrain.

The American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia

Main Street in Staunton

Hiking Tour

Big Meadows Lodge

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

Courses, Performances, and Lectures—Multi-Session

Tues., July 9–23

Write Into Art: Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art ....................35

Tues., July 9–30

Western Art: Paleolithic Through the Aegean Bronze Age 35

Wed., July 10–31

Monet: Impressions of an Artist 36

Wed., July 24 and 31

The Magnificence of Mozart’s Concertos 20

Thurs., Aug. 1–22

Chinese Art: From the Bronze Age to the People’s Republic .........37

Mon., Aug. 19, Sept. 16, and Oct. 21

Feasting with Royalty: Cleopatra, Alexander, and Caesar

Thurs., Sept. 5 Musical Miniatures: The Perfect Magic of Shorter Works

Wed., Sept. 25, Nov. 6, and Dec. 4

9–Oct.

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