Smithsonian Associates October 2023 program guide

Dear Friends and Members,

A symphony of programs in this month’s guide invites you to fill your life with music of all kinds.

We spotlight the upcoming season of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, which salutes some of the most influential composers, instrumentalists, and vocalists in jazz history (p. 20). The calendar of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society includes concerts by the Axelrod String Quartet—playing magnificent period instruments—and a series featuring the Smithsonian Consort of Viols, the Smithsonian Chamber Players, and outstanding guest artists (pages 18, 19).

Outstanding is just one of the words to describe two vocalists who defined the sound of 20th-century popular music, Frank Sinatra (p. 17) and Ella Fitzgerald (p. 30). And don’t miss a close look at the stories and creators behind some of the most enduring tunes in the Great American Songbook (p. 27).

Beethoven’s great cycle of symphonies is said to have set the tone for the entire symphonic repertoire that followed. Join classical musical expert Saul Lilienstein to learn why (p. 21). Examine how two towering composers created timeless music for, respectively, the opera stage and the Broadway stage: Giuseppe Verdi (p. 25) and Stephen Sondheim (p. 21).

Broadway babies have a treat in store when a theater historian offers a show-biz panorama of the development of New York City’s entertainment mecca and the influences that gave birth to the American musical (p. 21). Lecturer and concert pianist Rachel Franklin presents a trio of fascinating musical explorations with a haunting look at supernatural classics (p. 24); an analysis of the art of the concerto (p. 26); and a celebration of the classical sounds of Christmas (p. 31).

At Smithsonian Associates we’re tuning up for some spectacular musical offerings. We hope you’ll lend us your ears.

Smithsonian Associates In Person

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

Lidia Bastianich

Thurs., Oct. 5

Join Lidia Bastianich in conversation as she talks about the stories and passed-down recipes in her new cookbook, Lidia’s From Our Family Table to Yours, as well as how food has shaped her family memories.

(see p. 15)

A Middle Eastern Pantry

Tues., Oct. 24

Lior Lev Sercarz draws on his new cookbook, A Middle Eastern Pantry, offering homage to the pantry staples that define one of the world’s most ancient cuisines. A reception follows the program, featuring spices and flavors discussed in the book.

(see p. 15)

Studio Arts

Let your creative side shine in a wide variety of hands-on classes led by professional artists. (see pp. 51–54)

Tours

DC Theater Preview

Mon., Oct. 2

Join Amy Austin, president and CEO of Theatre

Washington, and a panel of experts as they explore why D.C. is considered one of the best theater towns in the country and what’s in store on local stages large and small for the 2023–24 season.

(see p. 17)

Hosted in partnership with Theatre Washington

Cheers! A Cocktail for Every Day

Wed., Dec. 6

Join writer and cocktail expert Philip Greene for a lively evening full of stories, recipes, and toasts. Enjoy light snacks and cocktail samples to complete the celebration.

(see p. 15)

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

(see pp. 67–72)

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

Holiday Desserts Around the World

Thurs., Dec. 14

Join food historian and author Francine Segan as she explores the intriguing stories behind America's cherished Christmas sweets and spotlights desserts from holidays celebrated worldwide. A reception follows the program, featuring an array of treats and recipes to take home.

(see p. 17)

Concert Season

Smithsonian Chamber Music Society

Contemplating Nietzsche

Wed., Nov. 1

Join Georgetown professor Joseph Hartman for an in-person discussion of this controversial modern thinker.

(see p. 27)

An Analysis of Hallmark Channel Holiday Movies

Sun., Dec. 3

Educator and lecturer Stef Woods explores why these movies have been hugely successful.

(see p. 30)

The 46th season features masterpieces from the late 16th century to the cusp of the 21st, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments.

The Axelrod String Quartet

Sat., Dec. 9, April 6, April 27

Sun., Dec. 10, April 7, April 28

The works of quartet masters Haydn, Beethoven, and Shostakovich are joined by three 20th-century works.

(see p. 18)

Masterworks of Five Centuries

Sat., Oct. 14, Nov. 4, Nov. 18, Feb. 10, Feb. 24, March 16

Sun., Oct. 15, Nov. 5, Nov. 19, Jan. 28, Feb. 11, Feb. 25, March 17

The season presents three chamber program dyads, plus a chamber orchestra concert.

(see p. 19)

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

Sat., Oct. 7, Sun., Dec. 3, Sat., Feb. 10, Fri., Apr. 5, Sat., June 1

The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra has celebrated some of the greatest jazz music throughout its 33-year history as one of the crown jewels of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

(see p. 20)

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

How Cable Television Upended American Politics

As television began to overtake the political landscape in the 1960s, network broadcast companies, bolstered by powerful lobbying interests, dominated screens across the nation. Yet over the next three decades, the expansion of a different technology, cable, changed all of this.

Drawing on her new book, 24/7 Politics: Cable Television and the Fragmenting of America from Watergate to Fox News, Kathryn Cramer Brownell tells the story of how the cable industry worked with political leaders to create an entirely new approach to television, one that tethered politics to profits and divided and distracted Americans by feeding their appetite for entertainment—frequently at the expense of fostering responsible citizenship. She also examines how cable created new possibilities for antiestablishment voices and opened a pathway to political prominence for seemingly unlikely figures like Donald Trump by playing to narrow audiences and cultivating division instead of common ground.

Copies of 24/7 Politics (Princeton University Press) are available for purchase.

Tues., Oct. 3, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-533; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

American Icon: The Golden Gate Bridge

People called it “the bridge that couldn’t be built.”

When first proposed in the 1910s, no suspension bridge had ever been constructed over such a distance or in such daunting open-ocean conditions. Spanning the famed mile-wide entrance to San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge was both a milestone of engineering and a monumental example of Art Deco architecture when completed in 1937.

Historian John Martini discusses the origins, design considerations, construction, and operational history of San Francisco’s most famous landmark. Learn about the bridge’s ongoing maintenance challenges along with its evolution into a worldwide symbol of San Francisco and California.

Wed., Oct. 4, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-049; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The First Battle of Manassas and the Experience of War

The first major battle of the Civil War took place on July 21, 1861, along the banks of Bull Run, some 25 miles from Washington, D.C. Expecting a quick victory, both Union and Confederate officers were surprised by their experience at Manassas and learned the painful lesson that waging war in practice is much more difficult than waging it in theory.

Career U.S. Air Force intelligence officer Marc Thompson examines the battle and its role in the Civil War.

Thurs., Oct. 5, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-022; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Special Offer: Receive a complimentary ticket to this program by registering for the Oct. 28 The First Battle of Manassas bus tour (see page 68).

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.

Visit SmithsonianAssociates.org for more information

The Battle for America: The French and Indian War

In all the centuries of wars fought between the European superpowers before 1740, North America had never been more than a sideshow. But that changed in 1756 as it took center stage in the world’s first truly global war, a conflict so massive that it spanned seven years and five continents in a bitter contest among the great empires of Britain, France, and Spain: the French and Indian War.

Historian Richard Bell focuses on the parts of this conflict that took place on American soil, tracking the shifting fortunes of the several European forces as well as their Indigenous and colonial American allies. He also considers the peculiar legacy of the American colonists’ involvement—a participation that reinforced a sense of themselves as essential partners in the British Empire but also sowed the seeds of the imperial crisis that would culminate in American independence just 20 years later.

Tues., Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-287; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Visiting the Normandy Battlefields

A Military History Travel Talk

Journalist Kevin Dennehy, a military veteran who co-authored The D-Day Visitor’s Handbook, provides an overview of what you need to know to plan and make the most of your visit to the site of the biggest seaborne invasion in history: the Normandy battlefields. While describing the most significant land invasion of World War II, he provides information on detailed battlefield maps and tours, identifies monuments and attractions, and locates museums and historical sites to make your planning easier and less stressful. He also shares tips on where to stay, dine, and shop; the best D-Day museums; and how to find war relics still at the battlefield sites.

Dennehy’s newest book, The D-Day Visitor’s Handbook, 80th Anniversary Edition: Your Guide to the Normandy Battlefields and WWII Paris (Skyhorse Publishing), is available for purchase.

Wed., Oct. 18, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-417; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Building America The Transcontinental Railroad

Since the 1860s, railroads like Union Pacific have played a pivotal role in the opening and then the settling and disruption of the American West. Today, Union Pacific continues to play a critical role in keeping the economy moving. While it is a slight exaggeration to say that the history of Union Pacific is the history of the West, it’s not one to say that the two histories are inextricably linked. Explore the beginnings of this great endeavor through original photographs taken during the construction of the transcontinental railroad from the Union Pacific Historical Collection, the largest collection of such images in the world.

Patricia LaBounty, the curator of the collection at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa, explores the context and construction of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad based on this collection and examines the railroad’s role in building America.

Mon., Oct. 23, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-054; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

A Brief History of Taiwan

Taiwan, a small island off the southeastern coast of China, has played an outsized role in modern Asian politics. Long before it became a global flashpoint, however, Taiwan experienced a revolving door of migrants and foreign conquerors, each of whom left a distinct legacy behind. Justin M. Jacobs, a professor of Chinese history at American University, provides an overview of Taiwan’s complex history over the past several centuries, from Austronesian seafarers and Dutch merchants to Japanese conquerors and Chinese refugees.

Wed., Oct. 25, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-301; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Religion in the Andes

Civilization in the Andes Mountains emerged in almost complete isolation from other parts of the world, as did religion there. Three critical concepts underpin Andean religion: animism and anthropomorphism, oracular divination, and ancestor worship, says Kevin Lane, an archaeologist and senior researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council at the University of Buenos Aires.

Lane delves into the nature of Inca religious practice and traces the emergence of organized religion in the highland Andes. He focuses on how religion was changing just before the arrival of the Spanish in 1532, especially the role of animism and anthropomorphism in viewing landscapes and their elements as living beings.

Mon., Oct. 30, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-298; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Constantine the Great The First Christian Roman Emperor?

Few individuals have played such a dramatic role in history, or provoked as much controversy, as the Roman emperor Constantine (306–337). In October 312, after he triumphed against his rival Maxentius, Constantine became the first Roman emperor to declare his support for Christianity. Over the next 25 years, he poured imperial patronage and resources into the church.

Yet in more modern times, commentators have questioned Constantine’s motives and the sincerity of his faith. David Gwynn, an associate professor at Royal Holloway, University of London, focuses on the words of Constantine himself to understand him and offers a new evaluation of his legacy.

Wed., Nov. 1, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-306; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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Making the Case for Reform

Eastern State Penitentiary’s Impact on the Modern Penal System

Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary was one of the most famous and expensive structures in the country when it was constructed. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, it was a radical departure from other prisons, pioneering a “separate system” meant to reform rather than intimidate its inmates. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells held nearly 85,000 people over its long history. Using Eastern State Penitentiary as a case study, prison scholar Ashley T. Rubin highlights the challenges of 19th-century prison administration that helped create the current U.S. penal system.

Wed., Nov. 1, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-024; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

From the Battle of Tippecanoe to the War of 1812

Tecumseh, William Henry Harrison, and the Struggle Over Indigenous Lands

Two leaders of very different backgrounds and with opposing visions for the future of Indigenous lands in the American West struggled to defeat one another during the early 1800s: Tecumseh, the Shawnee warrior, and William Henry Harrison, the governor of the Indiana Territory.

Historian Peter Stark exposes the fundamental conflicts at play through the little-known but consequential struggle between the two men. Stark’s book Gallop Toward the Sun: Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison’s Struggle for the Destiny of a Nation (Random House) is available for purchase.

Thurs., Nov. 2, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-025; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Andrew Jackson’s Presidency and the Rise of the Democratic Party

From 1829 to 1837 no figure dominated American political culture as did Andrew Jackson. Historians and the public alike remain fascinated by Jackson, his presidency, and his impact on the development of the Democratic Party. “Old Hickory” was a complex man whose forceful personality transformed the nation’s struggle for popular rights into the two-party system we know today. His leadership style reversed decades of congressional supremacy and shifted power from the aristocrats and elites to the common man.

Historian Stephen D. Engle examines Jackson’s enormous influence on the people and the presidency and traces how his political triumph, his bold executive initiatives, and his popular appeal transformed the social and cultural landscape that gave rise to a legacy that has become controversial because of his stance on slavery.

Mon., Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-289; 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

Three Pillars of Chinese Culture: Architecture, Film, and Ideology

Chinese culture boasts a vibrant history reaching back thousands of years. This three-part series introduces enduring elements of Chinese architecture, examines how the modern era was represented in early 20th-century films, and delves into the sweeping cultural changes enacted under communism.

Justin M. Jacobs, a professor of Chinese history at American University, is the author of several books, including The Compensations of Plunder: How China Lost Its Treasures.

NOV 7 Chinese Architecture

NOV 28 Chinese Silent Films

DEC 19 Cultural Reform under Mao

3-session series: Tues., Nov. 7, Nov. 28, Dec. 19, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-302; Members $60; Nonmembers $70

Individual sessions: Tues., Nov. 7 (CODE 1J0-302A); Tues., Nov. 28 (CODE 1J0-302B); Tues., Dec. 19 (CODE 1J0-302C), 6:45 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Live from Turkey

Exploring Anatolia: A Turkish Odyssey

Anatolia’s colorful history has left a windfall of riches—ancient ruins, ornate Byzantine churches, supremely elegant mosques, and magnificent Ottoman palaces. In an illustrated series, Serif Yenen, a Turkish-born tour guide and author, highlights the heritage and splendor of ancient Turkey through an examination of some of its cultural gems.

NOV 8 Neolithic and Bronze Ages

NOV 15 Iron-Age, Hellenistic, and Roman Periods

NOV 22 Christianity in Anatolia

NOV 29 The Turkish Period’s Capitals

4 sessions: Wed., Nov. 8–29, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0239; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

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

Machu Picchu: A Virtual Adventure

Perhaps no place name conjures as much sense of mystery as Machu Picchu, and perhaps no archaeological site has borne so much intrigue, interpretation, and misinterpretation. Bordering the great Andean mountain chain and the enormous Amazonian forest, the Peruvian site lay unknown to the modern world until the first decade of 20th century. Once it was “discovered” by explorer and academic Hiram Bingham, Machu Picchu became attached to seemingly endless speculation about its origins, purpose, and meaning.

Recent scholarship has cleared away most of the far-fetched theories, and modern travel and hospitality have opened the doors to this once nearly inaccessible site to determined travelers. Cultural historian George Scheper traces the travels of Hiram Bingham to see the archaeological ruins as he first beheld them, and then, guided by modern scholarship, he revisits the site as it is today. He asks the same questions as Bingham did over a hundred years ago but offers some very different conclusions as to who built the site and why.

Mon., Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-295; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

A 2024 Election Preview

With Journalist Ken Walsh

The 2024 national election campaign is already in high gear. Presidential nominating caucuses and primaries are rapidly approaching, the rhetoric is heating up, and voters are starting to pay attention. Ken Walsh, veteran White House correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, takes a close look at national politics and America’s mood as the political year is about to begin.

This particularly important and unusual election finds the nation fragmented, troubled, and perhaps more divided than at any time since the Civil War. Public trust is eroding in major institutions and Americans are deeply worried about what’s to come. Most believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, although there is no consensus on why and what to do about it. What future will we choose?

In a fact-based, non-partisan presentation, Walsh analyzes the major issues facing the country, what voters want done about them, how we became so divided, the historical parallels, the prospects for control of Congress and state governments, and the major candidates.

Mon., Nov. 13, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-032; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Culture Wars How Can We Lower the Temperature?

As we approach the 250th birthday of the United States, ongoing culture wars threaten to bring rancor and chaos to what should be a celebration. Public humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson asserts that we need to awaken to the rich and often troubling complexity of American history without adopting an unnecessarily critical view of the last 250 years.

In a wide-ranging presentation, he discusses such timely examples as the removals of a statue of Theodore Roosevelt at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and a sculpture of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and Sacagawea in Charlottesville and a recent controversy in Colorado over an exhibit focused on the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. He also addresses Thomas Jefferson’s plummeting reputation because of his complications with race and slavery. Jenkinson shares his thoughts (and asks for yours) about how to bring down the temperature of our national cultural debate to steer a middle course between complacency and conviction so that we may be able to take just satisfaction in this unprecedented experiment in enlightened democracy.

Tues., Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-425; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Civic Bargain: How Democracy Survives

What keeps democracy alive? Are there patterns or clues found in democracies that have sustained themselves for hundreds of years? In a new book, historians Brook Manville and Josiah Ober argue that democracy can survive—if citizens keep vital the implicit civic bargain they make with one another, one that sets the norms and institutions so citizens can govern themselves, free of any kind of “boss.”

Using the history of the four longest-surviving cases of democratic rule—ancient Athens, Republican Rome, British parliamentarianism, and American constitutionalism—they examine how all developed through earlier, incremental political bargains. Causes for our current democratic ills are variously asserted, but at its core, say Manville and Ober, citizens have forgotten how to deal with one another: to negotiate and bargain, and find compromise, even if imperfect, to make the choices needed to self-govern.

The Civic Bargain: How Democracy Survives (Princeton University Press) is available for purchase.

Wed., Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-789; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

“In a Constitutional Way”

Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle

In a democracy, how do you disagree with government policy? What is a loyal opposition?

In the hyper-partisan 1790s, the Founding Fathers grappled with these questions. By 1799, newspapers warned of “Civil War!” because the Kentucky Resolutions, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, declared that a state could pronounce federal laws unconstitutional and nullify them.

Although Patrick Henry had argued against ratification of the Constitution, he came out of retirement to oppose this dangerous policy and run for office, contending that since “we the people” adopted the Constitution, anyone contesting federal policy must seek reform “in a constitutional way.” Henry won his election, but he died before he could take office.

John Ragosta, historian at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello, brings this relatively unknown story to life. Ragosta’s new book, For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle (University of Virginia Press), is available for sale. Wed., Nov. 29, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-315; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

JFK’s Presidency: Beyond Camelot

Nearly 60 years after his death, John F. Kennedy still holds an outsize place in the American imagination. He entered office inexperienced but alluring, with a reputation more given by an enamored public than earned through achievement. Drawing on his new assessment of JFK’s time in the Oval Office, author and historian Mark K. Updegrove examines how the first months were marred by setbacks: the botched Bay of Pigs invasion, a disastrous summit with the Soviet premier, and a mismanaged approach to the civil rights movement.

A humbled Kennedy conceded his mistakes and drew lessons from his failures that he used to right wrongs and move forward undaunted. He grew as president, radiating greater possibility as he coolly faced a steady stream of crises before his tragic end. Updegrove reexamines the dramatic, consequential White House years of a flawed but gifted leader too often defined by the Camelot myth that came after his untimely death.

Updegrove’s book Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency (Dutton) is available for purchase.

Thurs., Nov. 9, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-424; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Forgotten Women of Arlington National Cemetery

Explore women’s history during a virtual tour of Arlington National Cemetery with A Tour of Her Own staff. Be introduced to aviation pioneers, medical experts, activists, and artists, in addition to the living women who help make Arlington National Cemetery the special place that it is. Learn about the first person buried at the cemetery, a woman named Mary Randolph; the first woman to vote; the founder of the Daughters of the American Revolution Hospital Corps; and the iconic female author who inspired the creation of Batman. Hear the heart-wrenching story of a local teacher who lost her life on 9/11 and the legacy she left for students everywhere.

Mon., Nov. 13, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-026; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Related program: Buried Secrets: Congressional Cemetery’s Stories of Love, Tragedy, and Revenge (see p. 69)

Magna Graecia: Early Greek Culture in Italy

Why did Julius Caesar speak his last words in Greek? Why are the world’s best-preserved Greek temples in Sicily and the South of Italy? Why did Plato visit Italy? Author Ross King explores how in Plato’s time the South of Italy was known as “Greater Greece”—the beautiful land settled in the centuries after 800 BCE by colonists from the Greek mainland.

King examines how these settlers brought trade and prosperity as well as their religion, their customs, their alphabet, and their language. They also nurtured on Italian soil the political, philosophical, and artistic foundations that would profoundly influence and support the world of the ancient Romans and, much later, that of the Italian Renaissance.

Mon., Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-790; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

London: Inventing Modernity

Between 1500 and 1800, London became the largest city in Europe, its financial, commercial, cultural, and social capital, and the headquarters of a vast global empire. To do all that from its origins as a medieval village, Londoners had to overcome innumerable plagues, fires, crime, and collapsing infrastructure. To survive the city’s many dangers, toils, and snares, its inhabitants evolved into a new type of urbanite, one that was flexible, resilient, entrepreneurial, optimistic, determined, and wryly humorous: the Londoner.

Early modern Londoners needed to find community in the big city. By creating connections with each other in wide-ranging areas of life—from local governance to theater-going, coffee houses and clubs to networks of female servants—they forged many of the -s of modern life. Historian Robert Bucholz charts the city’s rapid growth and examines the panorama of London life, from the splendid galleries of Whitehall to the damp and sooty alleyways of the East End.

Tues., Nov. 28, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-791; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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

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Privateers, Prisoners, and Britain’s Black Holes

POWs in the American Revolution

During the American Revolution, the British military took almost as many men prisoner at sea as they did on the battlefield. Most of those captured by the Royal Navy were privateers—raiding crews licensed by the Continental Congress to torment British shipping and besiege Britain itself.

Historian Richard Bell examines the untold history of America’s privateers and their experiences as Britain’s captives. Held indefinitely under the terms of a 1777 law that designated them as pirates and traitors, these sailors spent months or years buried from the world in prisons in England and in floating hulks off the coast of Manhattan.

Bell traces their lives both at sea and then behind bars, using their surviving diaries and journals to illuminate their ordeal. He examines their campaigns to improve their treatment and build alliances and reconstructs their extraordinary efforts to escape. He argues that these British prisons and hulks soon became nurseries of American nationalism and that their inmates’ experiences—publicized by patriots as tales of British cruelty to stir up feelings of common cause—changed the course of the war.

Mon., Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-292; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Celebrating Christmas, Tudor Style

Tudor monarchs certainly knew how to make the most of a holiday. The Twelve Days of Christmas provided the royal court with opportunities for midwinter merrymaking on a grand scale fit for a king (or queen). Tudor and Renaissance scholar Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger provides a colorful glimpse into how members of the Tudor dynasty and their courtiers marked the festive season—as well as how the rest of the country celebrated Christmas in their homes.

She describes the royal court over the holiday as a place where those wishing to catch the eye of the monarch dressed in their finest, feasted on Christmas pie and wassail, and participated in masques—all overseen by the Lord of Misrule. Lloyd-Stanger examines the religious and social traditions of the seasonal celebrations, as well as its extravagant foods. Few non-royal kitchens could match the famed Christmas pie: turkey stuffed with goose stuffed with chicken stuffed with partridge stuffed with pigeon, all baked into a manger-shaped pastry case. She also reveals how court intrigue continued to simmer beneath the holiday fun: Henry VIII struggled to keep a wife and girlfriend happy for three Christmas seasons as his divorce proceedings lingered on, and then a few years later he met new wife Anne of Cleves for the first time on New Year’s Day.

Tues., Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-293; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Christmas Truce of 1914

At Christmastime in 1914, months after World War I began, hundreds of soldiers in Flanders spontaneously stopped fighting one another, left their trenches, and shook hands in no man’s land. For a short time, British and German soldiers barely fired a shot, helped bury one another’s dead, and even played soccer together. One interpretation of the unofficial truce was that the men in the trenches, in defiance of commanders and politicians safely behind the lines, refused to hate their enemies and had no wish to fight them. But how accurate is this characterization? Join historian and battlefield guide Simon Jones as he tells the story of what really happened in Flanders during the Christmas season in 1914.

Fri., Dec. 8, 12 p.m.; CODE 1CV-027; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Making the Holidays Beautiful at the White House

From the 1975 handmade felt decorations of Betty Ford and her daughter Susan to the lively winter South Lawn ice skating rink of Amy Carter to the winter wonderland enjoyed by Malia and Sasha Obama, our first ladies have created holiday memories for their families while curating a holiday experience for the public.

Coleen Christian Burke, a former White House design partner and author of Christmas with the First Ladies, examines how modern first ladies have combined the shimmer of holiday magic with meaningful reflection, creating a celebration narrative for all Americans.

1 p.m. First Ladies’ Traditions

3 p.m. Break

3:15 p.m. Decorating the Obama White House

Sat., Dec. 9, 1–4 p.m.; CODE 1J0-321; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Caesar’s Conquest of Gaul

The famous formulation that all Gaul was divided into three parts came from the self-serving pen of Caesar himself, whose conquest of Gaul served as the springboard for a quest for power that ended fatally on the Ides of March in 44 B.C.E., five years after he had famously crossed the Rubicon River en route to Rome from Gaul in defiance of the Roman Senate.

Historian Jennifer Paxton traces how Rome gradually acquired commercial and military interests in southern Gaul that provided the pretext for Roman intervention in the complicated politics of the region. Caesar then exploited internal divisions within Gaul to bring about the largest single acquisition of territory for Rome north of the Alps, a project that he conducted largely on his own initiative with only the grudging approval of the Senate. She also tells the surprising story of how the legacy of the Gauls has featured in the French national consciousness, from Louis Napoleon’s obsession with Vercingetorix to the comics of Astérix the Gaul.

Mon., Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-294; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The American Civil War and the World

The American Civil War was closely watched by other countries to see what its outcome might signal for personal liberty and what effect it could have on their own governments. Paul Quigley, director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies at Virginia Tech, explores international perspectives on the conflict, ranging from ideological affinities to economic calculations to strategic considerations.

Among other topics, he examines how Spain took advantage of the Civil War to return to Santo Domingo and Napoleon III installed a puppet regime in Mexico; considers what the war meant for the global cotton trade and the international antislavery movement; and discusses the roles that transatlantic immigration and diplomacy played in a conflict that we usually view as a domestic affair.

Mon., Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-792; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Slavery, Secession, and Redemption

The Story of Ulysses S. Grant

Captain Ulysses S. Grant resigned from the U.S. Army after facing charges of excessive drinking in 1854. In 1864, he became general-in-chief of the army. How did this turnaround happen?

Historian John Reeves says that Grant always had the latent abilities to be a skilled commander but developed these skills while he was in the West at the beginning of the Civil War without the pressure faced by commanders in the East. Grant also grew in other ways, Reeves says. His book Soldier of Destiny: Slavery, Secession, and the Redemption of Ulysses S. Grant (Simon & Schuster) is available for purchase.

Tues., Dec. 12, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-028; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Huns Nomads, Attila, and the Fall of Rome

In the history of Western civilization, few peoples are as important and yet as mysterious as the Huns. Tales of these nomadic horsemen appear in Roman sources shortly after the year 350. Over the following century, the Huns played a critical role in the collapse of the western Roman empire. The sudden death of their leader, Attila, in 453 led to civil war among the Huns, however, and Hun power collapsed as swiftly as it had emerged.

David Gwynn, associate professor in ancient and late antique history at Royal Holloway, University of London, covers the full breadth of the Hun world.

Wed., Dec. 13, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-320; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Einstein’s Space and Times

Einstein’s theory of relativity was both scientifically and politically controversial in his day. Overthrowing Newton’s picture of the universe that had been in place for 300 years was radical enough, but Einstein used his fame to publicly advocate for political causes. Since his theory was the basis of his notoriety, his political enemies sought to undermine it, creating a public furor not unlike what we have seen around global warming or the COVID vaccine today.

The result was a combination of death threats at home and celebrity abroad that led Einstein into exile as the world’s most recognizable figure. Steven Gimbel, a professor of philosophy and associate professor of Jewish Studies at Gettysburg College, takes a unique look into a part of Einstein’s past that is rarely discussed.

Wed., Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-793; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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

Drawing the Outlines of the Middle East A History Rooted in Bad Faith

It is impossible to comprehend the conflicts in the Middle East without understanding the machinations of British diplomacy during World War I. To enhance their cause, British leaders made a series of conflicting promises to Arab leaders, French diplomats, and Zionist representatives regarding the future of the Middle East. They pledged to help establish an Arab empire, then offered to divide the same land with the French—while also declaring that His Majesty’s government viewed with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.

Historian Ralph Nurnberger examines the fascinating cast of characters involved in the often-contradictory secret negotiations, as well as how the results contributed to more than a century of conflicts in the region and the establishment of the modern states of Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.

Mon., Dec. 18, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-033; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Trojan War: Did It Happen?

For more than a century, archaeologists and historians have struggled to answer questions about the Iliad, Homer’s magnificent account of the Trojan War. Did Troy really exist and where was it located? Was there an actual Trojan War or is Homer’s tale simply a good yarn? Is there any historical truth in a face that launched a thousand ships or was there simply a 10-year struggle for political hegemony in the Aegean?

Classicist Eric Cline of George Washington University offers a thesis based on the latest archaeological and textual discoveries that a Trojan War, or several such wars, did indeed take place during the Late Bronze Age. Although many questions remain that have ignited scholarly controversies and even most-unscholarly fistfights, Cline has no doubt that there’s a kernel of truth in Homer’s story.

Tues., Dec. 19, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-795; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Secret History of Women at the CIA

Created in the aftermath of World War II, the Central Intelligence Agency relied on women even as it attempted to keep them down and channel their talents, argues journalist and author Liza Mundy. Despite discrimination—possibly even because of it—women who started as clerks, secretaries, and unpaid spouses rose to become some of the CIA’s shrewdest operatives.

Mundy reveals how women at the CIA ushered in the modern intelligence age and how silencing them made the world more dangerous in her new book, The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA (Penguin Random House), which is available for purchase.

Thurs., Jan. 11, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-323; 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

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

In Person

Lidia Bastianich From Our Family Table to Yours

Nothing brings a family together like food. And no one knows food like Lidia Bastianich. In her new cookbook, Lidia’s From Our Family Table to Yours, she shares the dishes she cooks for those she loves the most. It’s the first book Lidia has written since the death of her mother, Nonna. Filled with family stories and passed-down recipes, in many ways it can be seen as a tribute to her.

The book features the traditional recipes that graced Lidia’s table as a young girl alongside the new creations that she makes for her children and grandchildren today. Bringing together more than a hundred easy-to-make Italian recipes, From Our Family’s Table to Yours is a celebration of the dishes Lidia’s family turns to over and over—and the next-best thing to a seat at her kitchen table. Join Lidia in conversation with Mary Beth Albright, correspondent and editor at The Washington Post, as she discusses favorite recipes and how food has shaped her family memories.

Copies of Lidia’s From Our Family Table to Yours (Knopf) are available for purchase and signing.

Thurs., Oct. 5, 6:45 p.m; Meyer Auditorium, Freer Gallery of Art; CODE 1L0-532; Members $25; Nonmembers $30; Member + Book $50; Nonmember + Book $65

In Person

A Middle Eastern Pantry

Growing up on a kibbutz in northern Israel, spice master Lior Lev Sercarz, the owner of La Boîte spice company, has a long affinity for local ingredients and produce. After becoming a chef and then devoting his career to sourcing and blending spices, he recognized the intensive labor, skill, and craftsmanship that go into the development of Middle Eastern pantry staples, from olives to silan (date molasses) and tahini to sujuk (a fermented and dried sausage).

Drawing on his new cookbook, A Middle Eastern Pantry, Lev Sercarz explores the everyday ingredients used throughout this vast region as he offers homage to the staples that define Middle Eastern cuisine. He looks at the production, history, and cultural resonance of the pantry items and shares an array of recipes crafted for home kitchens.

Join Lev Sercarz in conversation with food journalist Jane Black as he discusses recipes from his book, as well as origin stories that lend cultural relevance and insight into one of the world’s most ancient and beloved cuisines. Afterward, enjoy a light reception featuring spices and flavors discussed in the book.

Copies of A Middle Eastern Pantry (Clarkson Potter) are available for purchase and signing.

Tues., Oct. 24, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-535; Ripley Center; Members $40; Nonmembers $50

In Person

Cheers! A Cocktail for Every Day

Writer and cocktail expert Philip Greene wants you to celebrate every day with a cocktail and a toast. His new book, aptly titled Cheers! Cocktails & Toasts to Celebrate Every Day of the Year, provides the convivial blueprint. Greene, an author and co-founder of the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans, offers delicious cocktail recipes along with a backstory connecting the recipe to a particular day and a toast to raise in celebration. He draws on a range of interesting and (usually) fun events, some significant and some trivial, from the pages of history, literature, sports, entertainment, and more while he acknowledges the usual noteworthy dates from around the world (New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and more), Greene also features a new twist on standard observances, offering fresh stories, drinks, and toasts.

As we head into the holiday season, join Greene for a festive evening in which he offers highlights and stories from the book, along with cocktail recipes and toasts that you can share with friends and family. Enjoy light snacks and cocktail samples to complete the celebration.

Copies of Cheers! (Union Square & Co.) are available for purchase and signing.

Wed., Dec. 6, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-544; Ripley Center; Members $55; Nonmembers $70

Fall Wine Adventures

OCT

20

A TOP SOMMELIER'S GUIDE TO WINE

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

Winning at Wine for the Holidays: Selections and Pairing Suggestions

The holidays are around the corner, and the pressure is on. With so much to think about, perfect food and wine pairings shouldn’t have to be one of them. In this delicious exploration, Segelbaum teaches how to pair food and wine like a pro with a focus on traditional holiday and winter dishes. (Note: This is a wine tasting only; no food is provided.)

NOV 17 Amazing Wines of Argentina

Despite being part of the New World, Argentina brings an Old World spirit to winemaking heritage and traditions from Spanish and Italian immigrants hundreds of years ago. Today, Argentine wine is undergoing a renaissance in every way imaginable, with pioneering winemakers pushing limits in everything from altitude to latitude to techniques in the vineyard and winery. Taste through this delicious deep dive into the new world of Argentine wine.

DEC 15 California Dreaming

When winter looms with cold weather, it’s only natural that thoughts turn to warmer climes and warmer wines. With generally warm weather and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, California wine regions are primed for peak performance. Discover some of the most exciting expressions of California wine through this delicious tasting designed to warm your soul with whites and reds that will wipe away the winter blues.

3-session series (Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15): 6 p.m.; CODE 4WINE2023; Members $175; Nonmembers $200

Individual sessions: Fri., Oct. 20 (CODE 1L0-536); Fri., Nov. 17 (CODE 1L0-537); Fri., Dec. 15 (CODE 1L0-538); 6 p.m.; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

Wine-tasting kit information: The cost includes curated personal tasting kits with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines. Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kits, which is an essential component of the series. Each session will have separate kits available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program and the day of the program, 1–5 p.m. at Restaurant Chloe in the Navy Yard neighborhood (1331 4th Street SE, Washington, DC; Metro: Navy Yard-Ballpark station, Green line). Patrons receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to each session.

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

Holiday Desserts Around the World With Tasting

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of holiday treats and traditions with food historian and author Francine Segan. Join her for a delightful evening in which she explores the intriguing stories behind America’s cherished Christmas sweets as well as scrumptious desserts from holidays celebrated worldwide, including Kwanzaa; Chinese New Year; Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights; and the Muslim “Sugar Festival” that follows Ramadan.

Throughout the lively program, Segan delves into the historical significance of these delectable delights, revealing the unique cultural influences and age-old traditions that have shaped them into beloved holiday staples. Afterward, enjoy a reception with an array of treats and take home recipes for baking your own holiday-inspired desserts.

Thurs., Dec. 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-035; Ripley Center; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

“One for My Baby”

The Hollywood Songbook of Frank Sinatra

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

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

Mon., Oct. 16, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-294; Members $20; Nonmembers $25 Related program: Becoming Ella Fitzgerald (see p. 30)

DC Theater Preview 2023–24

Hosted in partnership with Theatre Washington

Washington is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, and theater is set to be especially exciting in the 2023–2024 season. With more than 80 professional companies in the area, how can theater fans really know what might be the hottest ticket in town, what’s worth the price, and what they might be able to skip?

As part of the annual Theatre Week celebration, join Amy Austin, president and CEO of Theatre Washington, and a panel of theater critics and writers as they explore why D.C. is considered one of the best theater towns in the country. The robust conversation offers insights on women in D.C.-area theater, new work, underrepresented communities, and the depth and range of the upcoming season.

Mon., Oct 2, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-028; Ripley Center; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Related tour: Behind the Curtain: A Day with DC-area Theater Makers (see p. 69)

Smithsonian Chamber Music Society

2023–2024 Season

The 46th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features musical masterpieces from the late 16th century to the cusp of the 21st, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments. Except for the January 28 Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra performance, concerts take place in the National Museum of American History’s intimate Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, with repertoire ranging from acclaimed masterpieces to undeservedly obscure gems by all-but-forgotten composers.

Veteran musicians of the Society are joined on several of the programs by emerging artists. Kenneth Slowik, SCMS artistic director and recipient of the Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar Award, again curates a series of pre-concert talks one hour prior to the Saturday concerts, shedding light on the glorious music and the lives and times of the featured composers.

The Axelrod String Quartet: Stradivarius and Amati

Smithsonian Chamber Music Society audiences are privy to the unparalleled experience of being able to hear two magnificent quartets of instruments—one made by Antonio Stradivari, the other by his teacher Nicolò Amati—in this popular three-concert series. The Axelrod String Quartet, which now includes violinist Mark Fewer, presents three programs, each of which is anchored by one of Schubert’s last quartets.

Works of quartet masters Haydn, Beethoven, and Shostakovich are joined by three 20th-century works related, in their diversity, to varied interests of the National Museum of American History. Much of the music of African American composer Florence Price was rediscovered only in 2009. Her String Quartet in G Major, a work from 1929, recalls the harmonic language of Antonín Dvořák, who observed, “In the Negro melodies of America I discover all that is needed for a great and noble school of music.”

The music of the Argentinian Osvaldo Golijov, resident in the United States since 1986, has been characterized as “forcing us to look and listen in a way that we’re not asked to do inside other music, speaking to the divisiveness and coming together of cultures.” The Austrian American Erich Wolfgang Korngold is probably most widely known for the nearly two dozen Hollywood film scores he wrote in the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s (among them The Adventures of Robin Hood, for which he won the Academy Award in 1934), but many of his operas, orchestral and chamber works, songs, and piano pieces employ the same appealingly kaleidoscopic harmonic palette.

The Axelrod String Quartet

Mark Fewer, violin; Marc Destrubé, violin; James Dunham, viola; Kenneth Slowik, violoncello

Sat., Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m.

Florence Price: String Quartet in G Major

Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 74, the Harp

Franz Schubert: Quartet in A Minor, D804, Rosamunde

Sat., Apr. 6, 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Apr. 7, 6:30 p.m.

Joseph Haydn: Quartet in F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 26

Franz Schubert: Quartet in D Minor, D810, Death and the Maiden

Sat., Apr. 27, 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Apr. 28, 6:30 p.m.

Osvoldo Golijov: Tenebrae for String Quartet

Dmitri Shostakovich: Quartet No. 7

Franz Schubert: Quartet in G Major, D887

Note: Saturday concerts at 7:30 p.m. include a pre-concert lecture at 6:30 pm. Sunday concerts at 6:30 p.m. do not include a lecture.

3-concert series: CODE BPS6 (Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.); CODE BPS7 (Sundays at 6:30 p.m.); Members $80; Nonmembers $100

Individual concerts: Sat., Dec. 9 (CODE 1P0-814); Sun., Dec. 10 (CODE 1P0-817); Sat., Apr. 6 (CODE 1P0-815); Sun., Apr. 7 (CODE 1P0-818); Sat., Apr. 27 (CODE 1P0816); Sun., Apr. 28 (CODE 1P0-819); Members $30; Nonmembers $35

All Axelrod concerts take place at the Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, National Museum of American History, 14th St. and Constitution Ave., NW (Metro: Federal Triangle) Please

In Person

Masterworks of Five Centuries

The season presents three chamber program dyads, plus a chamber orchestra concert. The Smithsonian Consort of Viols makes two appearances. In the first, fugues of Bach from The Art of Fugue are combined with Bach fugue arrangements by Mozart. The spring program features English consort music by Orlando Gibbons and Henry Purcell, whose 1680 fantasias provide a fitting capstone to a venerable tradition. Catherine Manson and Rebecca Landell Reed join the SCMS artistic director in two programs surveying Beethoven piano trios, and in another pairing, Slowik is partnered by violinist Edwin Huizinga, viol player Arnie Tanimoto, and harpsichordist Corey Jamason for sonatas, suites, and trios of J. S. Bach and Jean-Philippe Rameau. The January chamber orchestra concert honors the 150th anniversary of Arnold Schönberg’s birth.

Sat., Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m.

Fugues of Bach and Mozart

The Smithsonian Consort of Viols

Kenneth Slowik, Arnie Tanimoto, Catherine Slowik, and Chelsea Bernstein, viols

Sat., Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m.

Sonatas and Trios of Bach and Rameau

Edwin Huizinga, violin; Arnie Tanimoto, viola da gamba; Kenneth Slowik, harpsichord

Sat., Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m.

Piano Trios of Beethoven

Op. 1, No. 2 in G Major; Fourteen Variations, Op. 44; Op. 11 in B-flat Major

The Smithsonian Chamber Players

Catherine Manson, violin; Rebecca Landell

Reed, cello; Kenneth Slowik, fortepiano

2024

Sun., Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.

Béla Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.56

Florence Price: Andante moderato

Ludwig van Beethoven, arr. Gustav Mahler: Quartetto serioso, Op. 95

Arnold Schönberg: Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4

The Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra

Kenneth Slowik, conductor

Sat., Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m.

Piano Trios of Beethoven

Op. 1, No. 1 in E-flat Major; Op. 1, No. 3 in C Minor; Op. 70, No. 1 in D Major, the Ghost

The Smithsonian Chamber Players

Catherine Manson, violin; Rebecca Landell

Reed, cello; Kenneth Slowik, fortepiano

Sat., Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m.

Suites and Sonatas of J. S. Bach

The Smithsonian Chamber Players

Corey Jamason, harpsichord; Kenneth Slowik, cello and viola da gamba

Sat., Mar. 16, 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Mar. 17, 6:30 p.m.

Consorts of Orlando Gibbons and Henry Purcell

The Smithsonian Consort of Viols

Kenneth Slowik, Arnie Tanimoto, Wade Davis, Catherine Slowik, Chelsea Bernstein, and Lily Schrantz, viols

Note: Both series options include the Sunday, January 28 Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra concert

7-concert series: CODE BPS8 (Saturday concerts at 7:30 p.m., with pre-concert talks at 6:30 p.m. The Sunday, January 28 concert at 7:30 p.m. does not include a pre-concert talk.); CODE BPS9 (Sunday concerts at 6:30 p.m., except January 28 concert at 7:30 p.m. Pre-concert talks are not included in the Sunday series.); Members $200; Nonmembers $240

Individual concerts: Sat., Oct. 14 (CODE 1P0-820); Sun., Oct. 15 (CODE 1P0-827); Sat., Nov. 4 (CODE 1P0-821); Sun., Nov. 5 (CODE 1P0-828); Sat., Nov. 18 (CODE 1P0-822); Sun., Nov. 19 (CODE 1P0-829); Sun., Jan. 28 (CODE 1P0-823); Sat., Feb. 10 (CODE 1P0-824); Sun., Feb. 11 (CODE 1P0-830); Sat., Feb. 24 (CODE 1P0-825); Sun., Feb. 25 (CODE 1P0-831); Sat., Mar. 16 (CODE 1P0-826); Sun., Mar. 17 (CODE 1P0-832); Members $30; Nonmembers $35

All Masterworks concerts take place in the Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, National Museum of American History, Constitution Ave. at 14th St. NW (Metro: Federal Triangle) except for the January 28 performance at St. Mark’s Capitol Hill, 301 A St. SE (Metro: Capitol South)

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra 2023–2024 Concert Series

Under the artistic direction of maestro Charlie Young, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra has celebrated some of the greatest jazz music throughout its 33-year history as one of the crown jewels of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The 2023–2024 SJMO season adds new excitement and luster to that musical tradition.

Fri., Apr. 5 | Aspects of Ellington

Duke Ellington composed dynamic music that inspired vivid visual imagery and emotion. Combining his unconventional orchestration technique with the unique talent of his individual orchestra members, Ellington was able to transpose everyday life into musical works of art. To mark what would have been his 125th year, the SJMO launches Jazz Appreciation Month by highlighting elements of the Duke’s music and his orchestra with signature works such as “East St. Louis Toodle-oo,” “The Degas Suite,” and “Jack the Bear.” (Full Orchestra)

Sat., June 1 | Sarah Vaughan: The Divine One

Sat., Oct. 7 |

Thad

Jones: A Centennial Celebration

Developing his orchestration aesthetic during his Basie years, for over three decades Thad Jones contributed greatly to the tonal and textural evolution of modern big band composing and arranging. The SJMO kicks off its season by honoring the great Thaddeus Joseph Jones with a centennial tribute including “H.R.H. (Her Royal Highness),” “A Child Is Born,” and “Tip Toe.” (Full Orchestra)

Sun., Dec. 3 | Jazz and the U.S. Armed Services

Official military bands date back to 1798 with the establishment of the U.S. Marine Band. In the 1910s, First Lieutenant James Reese Europe infused elements of jazz into military music, and today all branches have an official jazz ensemble. The SJMO salutes the U.S. military jazz bands and the role they play inspiring soldiers, fostering patriotic support, and promoting national interests at home and abroad. Selections include “Memphis Blues,” “American Patrol,” and “Armed Forces Medley.” (Full Orchestra)

Sat., Feb.

10 | The Legacy of Max Roach

Inspired by Chick Web, Sonny Greer, Jo Jones, and the innovations of Kenny Clarke, during the 1940s Max Roach revolutionized the world of modern drum-set playing. He developed a swing and cymbal technique with dynamic expression that became the template for the creative imagination and technical mastery required to move modern jazz forward. With songs such as “Four-X,” “Cou-Manchi-Cou,” and “Liberté,” the SJMO honors the legacy of Max Roach, who would have turned 100 on January 20. (Smaller Ensemble)

Sarah Vaughan’s colorful vocal tone, unparalleled range, elastic stylized phrasing, and all-around dynamic musical interpretation earned her the moniker “The Divine One.” Also known as “Sassy,” Vaughan became one of the greatest jazz vocalists in the history of the music. To close out the concert season, the SJMO features singer Sharón Clark in celebration of the centennial year of NEA Jazz Master Sarah Vaughan. Songs like “After You’ve Gone,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” and “The Lady’s in Love with You” rekindle the Vaughan spell. (Full Orchestra)

5-concert series: CODE BPS1; Members $85; Nonmembers $105 Individual concerts: Sat., Oct. 7 (CODE 1P0-833); Sun., Dec. 3 (CODE 1P0-834); Sat., Feb. 10 (CODE 1P0-835); Fri., Apr. 5 (CODE 1P0-836); Sat., June 1 (CODE 1P0-837); Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Please note: Concerts take place at 7 p.m. at Baird Auditorium in the National Museum of Natural History, except for the February 10 program, held at the Warner Bros. Theater at the National Museum of American History. Each concert’s musical program is subject to change.

Broadway’s Backstory

The Evolution of an Entertainment Powerhouse

Today Broadway is a globally recognized brand representing roughly 40 legitimate playhouses located in and around Times Square. But years ago, it was a sprawling entertainment mecca encompassing a considerable range of stage forms. Minstrelsy, vaudeville, nightclubs, and burlesque were all an integral part of Broadway in the early 1900s. Ragtime and jazz were developed and refined here. And it was primarily on Broadway that the American musical was born.

The so-called Main Stem has a rich and complex history. It reaches back to the 1700s and continues to reflect the social, cultural, and political sensibilities of the country. Musical theater artist and historian Ben West chronicles the development of the Broadway stage and highlights several pivotal artists and shows along the way— particularly musicals. Join him for an exciting and informative look at the dazzling history of the original incubator of American entertainment.

Mon., Oct. 16, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-023; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Special Offer: Receive a complimentary ticket to this program by registering for the Dec. 13 Radio City Music Hall bus tour by Oct. 13 (see page 71).

Stephen Sondheim: Wizard of Broadway

For over five decades he spun his words and music to be sung on the stages of Broadway theaters. Stephen Sondheim transformed musical theater into psychodrama, exploring characters and emotions in such a novel and robust way so that no one ever leaves the theater quietly after a Sondheim musical.

American music specialist Robert Wyatt leads a path through Sondheim’s life and creations, from the trailblazing contributions of West Side Story, Follies, and Company to the animated precision of shows like A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd to the boldness of later works such as Assassins and Passion. The program is brought to life with musical recordings, videos of performances, cast albums, and clips of Sondheim speaking. Experience the wizardry of Stephen Sondheim as Wyatt pairs the virtuosity of his words with the passion of his music—which sends you exiting the theater with “Send in the Clowns” ringing in your ears.

Tues., Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-284; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Beethoven Symphonies

A new century literally began as Ludwig van Beethoven completed his first symphony in the year 1800. Within the next quarter century, his great cycle of nine symphonies was complete, taking its place as the measure for the entire symphonic repertoire that followed it. In a 5-part series, classical music and opera expert Saul Lilienstein uses the finest audio and video recording as he discusses each symphony, as well as examines Beethoven’s personal journey of creation against the backdrop of Viennese society.

OCT 17 Symphonies No. 1 and No. 2

OCT 24 Symphonies No. 3 (“Eroica”) and No. 4

OCT 31 Symphonies No. 5 and No. 6

NOV 7 Symphonies No. 7 and No. 8

NOV 14 Symphony No. 9

5 sessions: Tues., Oct. 17–Nov. 14, 12 p.m.; CODE 1M2-283; Members $85; Nonmembers $95

High School Classics Revisited

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

The Great Gatsby

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

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

Of Mice and Men

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

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

Great Expectations

Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations is renowned for its brilliant narrative, memorable characters, and illuminating depictions of the complexities of English class and society during the Victorian era. Luzzi explores the literary techniques and devices that give the beloved classic, published in 1861, its enduring fame. He highlights Dickens’ remarkable psychological insight as he explores the motives and actions of characters such as the protagonist Pip, Estella, Magwitch, Miss Havisham, and Joe Gargery—a fascinating cast that makes the novel one of Dickens’ finest.

Thurs., Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-310; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

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1984

To read George Orwell’s 1984, published in 1949, is to be astonished by his foreseeing some of the most pressing concerns of today’s world, including the role of misinformation, the proliferation of media, and the dramatic struggle between freedom of speech and authoritarian control. Luzzi explores how and why Orwell created a work of such transcendent brilliance, especially in its ability to diagnose deep-rooted political problems and their effect on human individuality. Luzzi also examines why Orwell is considered one of literature’s greatest prose stylists.

Thurs., Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-311; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Romeo and Juliet

Few works of Shakespeare are as instantly recognizable as Romeo and Juliet, a play that has enthralled readers and theatergoers ever since it was written in 1597. Luzzi takes a fresh look at this moving work, which ranks as one of the greatest love stories of all time. Luzzi pays particular attention to Shakespeare’s original use of language, especially his ability to capture the inner lives of his characters with observations on human nature that have contributed to his status as arguably the greatest writer in the history of English literature.

Thurs., Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-312; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Gif t of Color

For details, visit ArtCollectorsProgram.org

Gothic Fairy Tales

A lonely, overgrown castle sits abandoned in a dark wood. Villagers whisper that the tallest tower contains a beautiful princess, trapped in dreams from which only a foretold love may wake her. While it is easy to believe that this story is taken from an old Gothic novel, of course it describes the “Sleeping Beauty” fairy tale. Gothic literature and the fairy tale are, in fact, much more closely related than one might expect.

Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman explore the connection between these two seemingly disparate literary modes. They are cofounders of the Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic.

Wed., Oct. 11, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-293; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Supernatural Classics

Musical Magic, Ghouls, and Ghosts

What do Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit, Schubert’s Erl-King, and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique have in common? All are deliciously spooky excursions into the musical supernatural, eternally popular with classical audiences eager to experience a good scare within the relative safety of respectable art music.

The febrile world of enchantment and witchery has always appealed to composers, and the range of works featuring spectral creatures, demonic valets, trolls, devils, and necromancers is vast. In the perfect run-up to Halloween, popular speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin leads a hair-raising tour of some of the best-loved classical music haunts, showcasing works by Mozart, Mussorgsky, Berlioz, Dukas, Liszt, Britten, Schubert, Ravel, Humperdinck, Offenbach, Saint-Saens, and others.

Mon., Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-402; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Movie Monsters

Exploring the Art Behind Classic Creature Features

Join film historian Max Alvarez for a romp through the weird, blood-curdling, and often downright outrageous netherworld of classic movie monsters. In a rich multimedia presentation featuring film selections and behind-the-scenes secrets of legendary and notorious creature features, Alvarez traces the movie monster from the early silent era (including Thomas Edison’s 1910 Frankenstein and F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu) to the succession of computer-generated horrors that have flourished during the 21st century.

Along the way Alvarez looks at the Universal monster cycle launched in the early 1930s and subsequent Cold War–era creature chillers like The Thing and Creature from the Black Lagoon and the Japanese monster movie and its family of destructive creatures—including Gojira, Mothra, and Rodan—that set cinema screens ablaze during the 1950s and ’60s. And although movie monsters faced serious underemployment during the 1970s, he examines how Ridley Scott’s bloodcurdling Alien gave renewed life to the genre and a pre-CGI James Cameron brought dignity to hand-crafted horrors in his late-’80s sequel, Aliens Thurs., Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-399; Members $30;

Nonmembers $35

Jews and Arabic

Judeo-Arabic, Its Literature, and Why It Matters

Between the 6th and 11th centuries, Arabic was the native language of most of the Jewish population. Focusing on the writings of central thinkers and scholars during this critical era of Rabbinic Judaism, Miriam Goldstein, a scholar of interreligious relations in the medieval Arabic-speaking world, examines the significance of the sweeping linguistic and cultural transformations in Judeo-Arabic religious scholarship that shaped Judaism as we know it today.

OCT 18 Speaking, Reading, and Writing Arabic: A Revolution in Jewish History

OCT 25 The New Jewish Bookshelf: The Lasting Impact of the Adoption of Arabic

NOV 1 How Does it “Read” in Arabic? New Ways to Write about the Bible

NOV 8 The Queen and the Handmaiden: Hebrew vs. Arabic in Jewish Literature

NOV 15 How Do We Know This? Manuscript Hunting in the 19th Century

5 sessions: Wed., Oct. 18–Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-281: Members $85; Nonmembers $95

Smithsonian Nights at the Opera Operas of Giuseppe Verdi Showcasing the Beauty of the Human Voice

The operas La traviata and Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi occupy unassailable positions as two of the most frequently performed in the world today, and his Aida and Otello have also maintained widespread popularity since their first performances in the late 19th century. Recognized as pinnacles of inspiration from an operatic master widely regarded as the national composer of Italy, these works are treasured for their emotional power and exceptional understanding of the capabilities of the solo voice singing in Italian.

In Search of the Soul

Comparative Visions in World Religions

What is the soul? What animates our bodies? Does a part of us continue to exist after death?

Comparative religion scholar Graham Schweig explores perspectives from ancient traditions around the world as he examines concepts such as pre-existence and immortality, nature spirits, ancestral connections, “non-soul” paradigms, and divine spirits and beings. He draws on mystical texts, sacred writings, poetry, art, and music to illuminate the mystery of the self and considers how they can offer profound visions of the soul that speak to us today.

Thurs., Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-286; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Musicologist Daniel E. Freeman offers a survey of four of Verdi’s most popular operas with an emphasis on the ways in which they reflect the composer’s approach to musical setting and character development. Analysis of the principal musical and dramatic components of each work includes video recordings of performances staged at the world’s leading opera houses.

OCT 19 Verdi’s Operatic Style

OCT 26 Rigoletto (1851)

NOV 2 La traviata (1853)

NOV 9 Aida (1871)

NOV 16 Otello (1887)

5 sessions: Thurs., Oct. 19–Nov. 16, 7 p.m.; CODE 1M2-285; Members $85; Nonmembers $95

Much Ado About Shakespeare

Why Three Great Comedies Still Matter Today

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

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

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

12:15 p.m. Break

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

2 p.m. Twelfth Night: Mistaken Identity and Misplaced Desire

Sat., Oct. 21, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; CODE 1J0-296; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

More Concertos: Front and Center!

A superb concerto performance is one of the great emotional highs of the concert experience. Concertos can be intimate, grand, virtuosic, or downright gladiatorial. Little can beat the adrenaline rush that we feel when the soloist thunders at top speed towards a colossal musical peak, with the orchestra surging massively just behind. (Just think Rachmaninoff.) But how did this singularly theatrical art form evolve, and why does it remain as treasured as ever with audiences?

Popular speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin returns to the fascinating topic of concertos with a follow-up course to her previous exploration of this most glamorous form of musical display. Franklin uses her unique live piano demonstrations and both historical and contemporary video clips to explore the birth of the solo concerto, glory in its great masterpieces, and consider its role in more modern times.

OCT 26 Early Masters

NOV 2 Classical Perfection

NOV 9 The Glory of Virtuosity

NOV 16 Concertos of Our Time

4 sessions: Thurs., Oct. 26–Nov. 16, 12 p.m.; CODE 1K0-400; Members $95; Nonmembers $105

Reading Faulkner

Chronicler of the Deep South in Literature

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

Michael Gorra, professor of English language and literature at Smith College and author of The Saddest

Words: William Faulkner’s Civil War, focuses on Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! (1936), which stands as Faulkner’s greatest meditation on the burdens of Southern history and on the persistence of the past in the present.

Mon., Oct. 23, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-021C; General Admission $25

More Stories from the American Songbook

Explore more wonderful songs from the golden age of the Great American Songbook and the stories behind their long and unexpected lives. This season, each session takes up the work of a famous songwriting team and some of their forever-familiar songs, where daydreams and romance, razzle-dazzle, and all our “where or whens” still live.

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

NOV 1 George and Ira Gershwin

NOV 15 Rodgers and Hart

NOV 29 Kander and Ebb

3-session series: Wed., Nov. 1, 15, and 29, 12 p.m.; CODE 1K0-403; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Individual sessions: Wed., Nov. 1 (CODE 1K0-404); Wed., Nov. 15 (CODE 1K0-405); Wed., Nov. 29 (CODE 1K0-406); 12 p.m.; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Person Friedrich Nietzsche, 1870

Contemplating Nietzsche

“God is dead…and we have killed him.” These words are perhaps the most famous—and misunderstood—of many provocative aphorisms penned by the 19th-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Within those terse words lies a massive claim concerning the entirety of the philosophical and theological tradition of the West, a 2,500-year tradition dating back to the works of Plato that Nietzsche sought to displace. After all, he claimed, “since Plato, philosophy has been in exile.” Join Georgetown professor Joseph Hartman in considering this electric, controversial, and provocative modern thinker. Recommended reading: the first essay in Nietzsche’s Genealogy of Morals.

Wed., Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-307; Ripley Center; Members $25; Nonmembers $35

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

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Dot Wilkinson and the Real Story of Women’s Softball

A League of Their Own, the beloved 1992 blockbuster starring Geena Davis, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, and Tom Hanks, captures the heyday of women’s professional baseball in the 1940s. Of course, it’s a movie and it’s fiction. Lynn Ames, author of Out at the Plate: The Dot Wilkinson Story, draws on her longtime friendship with the greatest catcher in women’s softball to recount the story of what playing that sport was like.

Wilkinson was one of the most decorated female athletes of all time and one of the original players from the three-time-world-champion PBSW Phoenix Ramblers softball team, active from 1933 to 1965. She was at the heart of it all in those years: sold-out stadiums; brawls on the field; brawls in the stands; epic rivalries; grueling travel; clandestine relationships; and larger-than-life personalities. Ames unfolds the story of Wilkinson’s life and career, one marked by childhood poverty, an indomitable spirit, the determination to be the very best at whatever sport she undertook, the independence to live her personal life on her own terms, and her success at all of it.

Out at the Plate: The Dot Wilkinson Story (Chicago Review Press) is available for purchase.

Wed., Nov. 8, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-539; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Leadership Lessons from Shakespeare From the Battlefield to the Boardroom

Writing in a time of civil unrest, religious chaos, and threat of foreign invasion, William Shakespeare lived in the heart of England’s power center and saw the best and worst of leaders and leadership. He captured it all in some of the most famous stories in history, from the dangers of out-of-control ambition in Macbeth to the power of an inspirational speech in Henry V, and from the pitfalls of procrastination in Hamlet to the value of building consensus in Julius Caesar

Shakespeare and Tudor scholar Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger explores the lasting lessons that can be found in Shakespeare’s plays by comparing effective actions of Antony and Henry V to the mistakes of Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Lear. She analyzes how Shakespeare considered some of the greatest challenges leaders faced and what contributed to their success or failure. She also links the characters and stories of 16th–century England to the 21st century through Shakespeare’s timeless understanding of human behavior and interaction.

Tues., Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-290; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Give a Gift of

No matter where you live, here’s how to share a wonderful experience with people you care about. Give a Smithsonian Associates membership, and who knows…you may end up attending an online Zoom program or two with your best friend next door—or your far-off cousin!

For more information visit smithsonianassociates.org/gift-membership

Jon Bonné on France’s Changing Wine Culture

In his new book, The New French Wine: Redefining the World’s Greatest Wine Culture, Jon Bonné, one of the leading American voices on wine and food, captures the world’s greatest wine culture at a moment of profound change. He posits that over the past 20 years, French wine has been simultaneously destroying and recreating itself, driven by a talented generation of pioneering winemakers.

This new generation sees all the value of French terroir—its traditions, famed vineyards, and renown. But it is also struggling to succeed amid a bureaucracy that undermines progress and makes life more difficult for the small independent vignerons who make up the backbone of French wine.

Join Bonné, a two-time James Beard Award winner and managing editor of Resy, as he discusses the wine regions of France, the stories behind some of the most well-revered producers, and what’s next for the country he calls “the soul of the global wine industry.”

Copies of The New French Wine (Ten Speed Press) are available for purchase.

Tues., Nov. 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-540; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Please note: This program is not part of the Wine Adventures: A Top Sommelier’s Guide series and wine-tasting kits are not available.

Elvis in Hollywood

From 1956 to 1969, Elvis Presley made 31 films, starring in all but one. That’s a remarkable achievement, and it helped make him one of the wealthiest performers in Hollywood. But Elvis’s dream of being taken seriously as an actor was never fulfilled, thanks to the crass commercial instincts of his manager, Col. Tom Parker.

Media historian Brian Rose examines Presley’s Hollywood career, which started off with such promise in films such as King Creole and Jailhouse Rock but concluded with dozens of mediocre movies like Harum Scarum and Paradise, Hawaiian Style. Rose also looks at musical highlights of Presley’s movies, including “Love Me Tender,” “Return to Sender,” and “Viva Las Vegas.”

Fri., Nov. 17, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-303; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Edgar Allan Poe: Love, Loss, and Invention

Nearly 175 years after his death, Edgar Allan Poe remains a figure of enduring fascination and speculation for readers, scholars, and devotees of the weird and macabre. Join novelist and poet Robert Morgan for a look at the life of this gifted, complicated author.

Morgan chronicles how several women influenced his life and art. Eliza Poe, his mother, died before he turned 3, but she haunted him ever after. The loss of Elmira Royster Shelton, his first and last love, devastated him and inspired much of his poetry. Morgan illustrates how Poe, known for his gothic and supernatural writing, was also a poet of the natural world who helped invent the detective story, science fiction, analytical criticism, and symbolist aesthetics. Though he died at age 40, Poe left behind works of great originality and vision.

Morgan’s book Fallen Angel: The Life of Edgar Allan Poe (LSU Press) is available for purchase.

Mon., Nov. 20, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-428; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Becoming Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald possessed one of the 20th century’s most astonishing voices. Music historian Judith Tick examines how Fitzgerald fused a Black vocal aesthetic with mainstream popular repertoire to revolutionize American music. From Fitzgerald’s first audition at the Apollo Theater to swing-era success at the Savoy, Tick illustrates how this “girl singer” broke new ground: as a female bandleader, as an innovative bebop improviser, and as the arbiter of the American canon with her “Song Book” recordings of works by iconic composers

Yet even as she electrified concert halls and sold millions of records, jazz critics belittled her as “naïve.” Tick reveals instead an ambitious risk-taker with a stunningly diverse repertoire, whose exceptional musical spontaneity (often radically different on stage than in the studio) made her a transformational artist.

Tick’s book Becoming Ella Fitzgerald: The Jazz Singer Who Transformed American Song (W. W. Norton & Company) is available for purchase.

Tues., Nov. 28, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-423; Members $20; Nonmembers $25 Related program: “One for My Baby” The Hollywood Songbook of Frank Sinatra

Navigating The Waste Land

T.S. Eliot’s best-known poem is The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, but his greatest is The Waste Land, which was first published just over 100 years ago. It’s a seminal work that intimidates all of us at first reading, even with excellent footnotes.

It’s worth the effort to come to terms with The Waste Land’s stature, and public humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson is ready to serve as a guide. The work has an intriguing origin story that involves superb editorial supervision by another great poet of the era, Ezra Pound. Jenkinson covers its creation and its enormous debt to previous literature from Dante to John Donne and walks you through the poem in a way that helps reveal its creative strategies—and meaning. Jenkinson recommends reading the work in the Norton Anthology of English Literature or the Norton Critical Edition. Have the text at hand and come with questions, comments, and puzzlements.

Tues., Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-426; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

and Online Program

’Tis the Season An Analysis of Hallmark Channel Holiday Movies

Hallmark Channel holiday movies are a big business, garnering an estimated $350 million in ad revenue annually. The channel’s formula for the movies has been criticized for its predictable content and lack of racial, religious, and LGBTQ representation. So why do millions of people keep watching? Educator and lecturer Stef Woods explores the fairy-tale formula, contract actors, and marketing strategies that have made these movies hugely successful. She also analyzes the controversies and competition that the channel faces. Following the lecture, in-person attendees can make holiday cards with instructor Karen Cadogan while enjoying seasonal holiday treats.

In Person and Online: Sun., Dec. 3, 1 p.m.; CODE 1J0-317; Members $30; Nonmembers $40

Note to in-person ticket holders: The program will be held at the Ripley Center.

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

Something To Laugh About TV Comedy, From Milton Berle to David Letterman

From commercial television’s earliest days, making people laugh was a central goal of TV programmers. Successful radio formats like the situation comedy and the comedy-variety show were re-created for TV in the late 1940s, joined a few years later by the medium’s own innovation, the late-night comedy talk show.

Media historian Brian Rose surveys the landscape of American TV comedy, examining how comedy evolved from the vaudeville shtick of Milton Berle and the slapstick artistry of Lucille Ball to relevant sitcoms like “M*A*S*H,” the social satire of “Saturday Night Live,” a twist on the sitcom with “The Jeffersons,” and the selfreflexive absurdities of “The Simpsons.”

Mon., Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-319; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Classical Sounds of Christmas

From sleigh bells and sugarplums to the mystical beauties of the Nativity, every December our senses are filled with the music of Christmas. In this 2-session celebration of the festive season, popular speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin explores how classical Western composers created a canon of both secular and sacred experiences that are now deeply rooted in our collective seasonal expectations.

Some of this music is ancient and folk-based, some grandly Baroque, and more recent masterpieces have evoked images of feasting, bells, snowy Christmas trees, brightly colored candy, and jolly red Santas. Enjoy the stories behind works by such composers as Bach, Handel, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Berlioz, Britten, Vaughan Williams, William Henry Fry, Sibelius, and Humperdinck.

DEC 12 A Christmas Box of Musical Delights

DEC 19 Sacred Glories of the Season

2 sessions: Tues., Dec. 12 and 19, 12 p.m.; CODE 1K0-429; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Casablanca: We’ll Always Have Paris

Was ever a movie so loved? Rick and Ilsa. Sam at the piano. The Nazis, the nightclub, the goodbye at the airport. Casablanca is about life at its most fragile and meaningful, movie stars at their most beautiful and moving, and a supporting cast of real-life escapees from Nazi-held Europe. A film about torn hearts in a torn world, made when America was on the brink of World War II, every frame is a blend of pathos, fear, impossibilities, and love. The moment Ilsa walks into that gin joint, we’re hooked. Film clips bring back the faces, stirring songs, humor, and memorable lines. Join documentary filmmaker and writer Sara Lukinson as she explores the making of the film, backstage dramas, and the times that turned what was just another film on the lot into an immortal love story of intrigue and transit papers. Discover why we’ll always have Paris.

Wed., Dec. 13, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-430; 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

Living the Beatles Legend

The Untold Story of Mal Evans

Malcolm Evans, the Beatles’ long-time roadie, personal assistant, and devoted friend, was an invaluable member of the band’s inner circle. A towering figure in horn-rimmed glasses, Evans loomed large in the Beatles’ story, contributing at times as a performer and sometime lyricist, while struggling to protect his beloved “boys.” He was there for the whole of the group’s remarkable story, and in the years after the Beatles’ disbandment, Big Mal continued in their employ as each embarked on solo careers.

By 1974, he was determined to make his name as a songwriter and record producer, setting off for a new life in Los Angeles, where he penned his memoirs. But in January 1976, on the verge of sharing his book with the world, Evans’ story came to a tragic end during a domestic standoff with the LAPD.

Beatles scholar and author Kenneth Womack reveals Mal’s unknown story at the heart of the Beatles’ legend. Along the way, he shares unseen photos and ephemera that supply the missing puzzle piece in the Fab Four’s incredible story.

Womack’s book Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans (Dey Street Books) is available for purchase.

Thurs., Dec. 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-431; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Jane Austen: Reinventing the Novel

Jane Austen remains one of the most instantly recognizable names in all of literature, renowned for her contributions to our understanding of social life and women’s identity, among many other key issues. Through a detailed consideration of three of her most memorable works—Mansfield Park, Emma, and Northanger Abbey—explore how she helped reinvent the novel with her powerfully original writing and unique artistic vision. Joseph Luzzi, a professor of literature at Bard College, examines Austen’s remarkable career and astonishing life.

10 a.m. Jane Austen: Mapping her Life and Literary World

11:15 a.m. Mansfield Park

12:15 p.m. Break

12:45 p.m. Emma

2 p.m. Northanger Abbey and Concluding Thoughts

Sat., Jan. 13, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; CODE 1J0-324; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Spinoza: The Father of Modern Thought

Spinoza is one of the most important philosophers—and certainly the most radical—of the early modern period. Raised in the Portuguese-Jewish community of Amsterdam, and ultimately shunned by it and by his family, he is correctly assumed to be the father of modernist thought with his developed highly controversial ideas that are often misinterpreted. He is mistakenly considered to have been an atheist, although his work includes no arguments against the existence of God.

The questions, then, are how and why are atheism and modernism associated with him and why is he so important to our understanding of our own world? To find the answers, author and Georgetown University professor Ori Z. Soltes explores the philosophy of Spinoza by examining what he thought and wrote—and when; events in the Jewish and Christian communities in which he lived; and his relationship with the people and the world around him.

Wed., Jan. 24, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-794; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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

A Grand Tour of the Solar System

A Grand Tour of the Solar System

Presented in partnership with George Mason University Observatory

Presented in partnership with George Mason University Observatory

This series treks to the sun and the four inner terrestrial planets before traveling outward to the asteroid belt, four Jovian planets, and beyond. At each session, a professional astronomer presents the latest research on a solar system body. Following the talk and a question-and-answer period, Peter Plavchan, a professor of physics and astronomy at George Mason University, brings that night’s sky right into participants’ living rooms via remote control of the university observatory, weather permitting.

Jupiter: A Giant Surprise

People have observed Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, with telescopes almost since the invention of the telescope in 1608. However, after studying Jupiter for hundreds of years, astronomers still had some basic questions: Is there a dense core under its atmosphere of helium and hydrogen? How, when, and where did it form? What do the north and south poles of Jupiter look like? To answer these and other questions, the Juno spacecraft was launched on a 5-year journey to Jupiter in 2011. From the first images sent back in 2016 to the data continuing to be received today, the result has been a series of surprises and fascinating puzzles. Steve Levin, the project scientist for Mission Juno, talks about what’s been learned so far and what it might mean.

Tues., Oct. 24, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-313; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Europa: Jupiter’s Habitable Moon?

Jupiter’s satellite Europa almost certainly hides a global saltwater ocean beneath its icy surface and may be the most plausible world in our solar system to host life beyond Earth. To explore Europa’s geology, interior structure, and composition and investigate its habitability, NASA’s Europa Clipper mission is preparing to launch in October 2024.

Samuel Howell, project staff scientist on the Europa Clipper mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, delves into the moon’s fascinating history and distinctive features. He also discusses the Europa Clipper mission and the scientific evidence supporting the existence of a subsurface ocean on Europa.

Tues., Nov. 28, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-314; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Saturn: Many-Ringed Splendor

Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun and the second-largest planet in our solar system. Adorned with thousands of beautiful rings, this gas giant is unique: Other planets also have rings made of chunks of ice and rock, but none are as spectacular or as complicated as Saturn’s. Jonathan Fortney, director of the Other Worlds Laboratory and department chair in astronomy and astrophysics at University of California, Santa Cruz, explores what is known about Saturn and what scientists are hoping to discover.

Tues., Dec. 12, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-322; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

A Practical Guide to Rewilding

The enormity of climate change and biodiversity loss can leave us feeling overwhelmed. How can an individual ever make a difference?

Journalist and author Isabella Tree and her husband, conservationist Charlie Burrell, know firsthand how spectacularly nature can bounce back if you give it the chance. And what results is not just wildlife in abundance but solutions to other environmental crises.

Join Tree and Burrell to learn practical steps to rewild everything from rivers and ponds to public spaces and window boxes. Their new book, The Book of Wilding: A Practical Guide to Rewilding, Big and Small (Bloomsbury), is available for purchase.

Sun., Oct. 1, 3 p.m.; CODE 1J0-299; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

National Parks of Washington State

North Cascades, Olympic, and Mount Rainier

Journey to high volcanoes, ancient temperate rainforests, glaciers, and big rivers in three geographically and topographically interrelated national parks. Among the most distinctive public lands in the country, these parks harbor a dazzling array of habitats and recreational opportunities.

Naturalist Keith Tomlinson discusses the region’s geologic evolution, biological diversity, and unique hydrology from glaciers to the sea. His tour highlights ways to access and enjoy these extraordinary natural treasures and covers conservation priorities in all three parks.

Mon., Jan. 4, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-061; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

The Geology of Western National Parks

Geologist Kirt Kempter leads his final series in the geology of Western National Parks for 2023, with an in-depth look at one or more locations every month. Each program’s content is enhanced by geologic maps, photos, and Google Earth flyovers to reinforce geologic concepts and interpretations.

OCT 2 Glacier, Montana

NOV 6 Arches and Canyonlands, Utah

DEC 4 Capitol Reef, Utah

3-part series (Oct. 2, Nov. 6, Dec. 4): 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-GE4; Members $60; Nonmembers $75

Individual programs: Mon., Oct. 2 (CODE 1NV-051); Mon., Nov. 6 (CODE 1NV-052); Mon., Dec. 4 (CODE 1NV-053); 7 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Glacier National Park, Montana

The Science of Free Will

It is popular these days to claim that free will is an illusion—that our brains, our genes, or even just the laws of physics actually determine our actions. Neuroscientist Kevin Mitchell delves into these claims and explains how and why he finds they are hollow.

Mitchell traces the story of how living beings capable of choice and control emerged from lifeless matter and evolved into humans with the remarkable capacity for conscious cognitive control, i.e., free will. Mitchell’s new book, Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will (Princeton University Press), is available for purchase.

Thurs., Oct. 5, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-305; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Elemental How Five Elements Will Shape Our Future

Following a thread woven from five of life’s essential elements—hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus—scientist Stephen Porder explores how microbes, plants, and people have used these fundamental building blocks to change the planet.

He begins with two stories from the deep geologic past and then jumps to the present to explore how human ingenuity in gathering these elements underpins the success of modern society. But the unintended consequences of our success now pose an unprecedented challenge.

Porder is a professor of ecology, evolutionary biology, and environment and society at Brown University. His new book, Elemental: How Five Elements Changed Earth’s Past and Will Shape Our Future (Princeton University Press), is available for purchase.

Tues., Oct. 10, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-300; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Colors of Crawly Creatures

For centuries, naturalists have used patterns of color in identifying and classifying life on this planet. It follows that the accurate rendition of color in images of animals is critical for this purpose and thus was the focus of much attention by early artist-naturalists.

However, animal color tells us much more than where they belong in a classifi cation scheme. Color plays a role in the ecology and behavior of insects, reptiles, and amphibians and can be a part of their physiology. Kay Etheridge, a professor emerita of biology at Gettysburg College, gives visual examples of color in these roles and discusses the challenges of naturalistic representation.

Fri., Oct. 13, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-304; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Her Space, Her Time

Trailblazing Women Scientists Who Decoded the Hidden Universe

Women physicists and astronomers from around the world have transformed science and society, but the critical roles they played in their fields are not always well-sung. For instance, Henrietta Leavitt and Margaret Burbidge helped discover the Big Bang and the cosmic calendar; Anigaduwagi (Cherokee) aerospace scientist Mary Golda Ross helped make the moon landings possible; and Marietta Blau, Hertha Wambacher, and Bibha Chowdhuri contributed to the discovery of the building blocks of the universe and, in doing so, played a crucial role in determining who gets to do physics today.

Author and quantum physicist Shohini Ghose brings to light the remarkable stories of rule-breakers and trendsetters who illuminated our understanding of the universe and reshaped the rules of society.

Ghose’s book Her Space, Her Time: How Trailblazing Women Scientists Decoded the Hidden Universe (MIT Press) is available for purchase.

Tues., Oct. 17, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-029; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Darkness in Distress Halting the Rise of Light Pollution

Light pollution has become a pervasive and glaring consequence of our 24/7 society, increasing at the alarming rate of 10% per year over the past decade. Few of us can enjoy a star-spangled night sky any longer, because of the glowing pall caused by all the lights that line roadways, parking lots, and backyards. More ominously, a growing body of research finds that excessive light at night disrupts nocturnal ecosystems, sometimes dramatically. It can also inhibit the production of melatonin, a compound produced as we sleep—and only in darkness—that seems to play multiple roles in maintaining general human health.

Fortunately, the spread of light pollution can be halted and even reversed. Join Sky and Telescope magazine’s Kelly Beatty

as he discusses how we can safely light up our homes, businesses, and communities without wasting energy, disturbing the neighbors, or creating an unhealthy environment for humans and wildlife.

Wed., Oct. 18, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-534; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Nature’s Toxins: From Spices to Vices

Scratch beneath the surface of a coffee bean, a red pepper flake, a poppy seed, a mold spore, a foxglove leaf, a magic mushroom cap, a marijuana bud, or an apple seed, and you’ll find a bevy of strange chemicals. We use these to greet our days (caffeine), titillate our tongues (capsaicin), recover from our surgeries (opioids), cure our infections (penicillin), mend our hearts (digoxin), bend our minds (psilocybin), calm our nerves (CBD), and even kill our enemies (cyanide).

Evolutionary biologist Noah Whiteman reveals the origins of toxins produced by plants, mushrooms, microbes, and even some animals; the mechanisms that animals evolved to overcome them; and how humans came to use and abuse some of them. Join him as he uncovers the deadly secrets that lurk within our spice racks, medicine cabinets, backyard gardens, and private stashes.

Whiteman’s book Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature’s Toxins—From Spices to Vices (Little Brown Spark) is available for purchase.

Wed., Oct. 25, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-030; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

How We Age

All of us would like to live longer or to slow the debilitating effects of age. Geneticist Coleen Murphy, author of the new book How We Age, illustrates how recent research on longevity and aging may be bringing us closer to this goal. Murphy, a leading scholar of aging, explains that the study of model systems, particularly simple invertebrate animals, combined with breakthroughs in genomic methods, have allowed scientists to probe the molecular mechanisms of longevity and aging. Understanding the fundamental biological rules that govern aging in these systems provides clues about how we might slow human aging, which could lead in turn to new therapeutics and treatments for age-related disease.

Drawing on work in her own lab and other recent research, Murphy chronicles the history and current state of the field, explaining longevity’s links to reproduction and mating, sensory and cognitive function, inheritances from our ancestors, and the gut microbiome.

Copies of How We Age (Princeton University Press) are available for purchase.

Wed., Nov. 15, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-541; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Forest Bathing 101

Immerse yourself in the Japanese practice of forest bathing as Melanie Choukas-Bradley introduces its history and how-tos. Learn creative ways to reduce holiday stress and banish winter blues by connecting with nature close to home. Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, originated in in the 1980s as a restorative and meditative practice of connecting with nature and disconnecting from the distractions of daily life and has since become popular around the world.

Learn about the development of and global enthusiasm for forest bathing as Choukas-Bradley, a certified forest therapy guide, leads you through techniques to incorporate this soulful practice into your life. She also shares tips on how to conduct your own forest-bathing walks using the environments around you, including your own backyard.

Choukas-Bradley’s nature books, including The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect with Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life (Rock Point) are available at a discount for workshop participants.

Wed., Nov. 29, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-055; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

This ongoing series of expert-led programming will challenge and expand your knowledge and understanding of science in all its forms. Whether you're a science fan or curious about the world around you, Inside Science offers a valuable and rewarding way to better understand science in the context of our lives.

How Infrastructure Works Inside the Systems That Shape Our World

A soaring bridge is an obvious infrastructural feat, but so are the mostly hidden reservoirs, transformers, sewers, cables, and pipes that deliver water, energy, and information to wherever we need it. When our infrastructural systems work well, they hide in plain sight, but when they fail, they become unignorably visible, upending our daily lives. Under the cumulative effects of short-sighted approaches, systemic neglect, and the growing impacts of climate change, these systems are breaking down in ways that range from the minor to the catastrophic and leaving no communities unaffected.

Engineering professor and author Deb Chachra reveals how these essential utilities work: where they came from, what it takes to keep them running, how much we rely on them—and who pays the costs. She also shows how we can transform our shared infrastructure to be not just functional but also equitable, resilient, and sustainable.

Mon., Dec. 4, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-036; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Earliest Animals: What Fossils Tell Us

When Charles Darwin wrote The Origin of Species, the oldest known fossils were trilobites preserved in rocks deposited during the Cambrian Period. That the oldest animals should have such complex morphology troubled Darwin, prompting him to argue that metazoans must have existed earlier, even though their records had evidently been destroyed or remained undiscovered.

Many decades and countless discoveries later, Darwin’s intuition has proven to be correct. Fossils from six continents now extend the animal record backward into the Ediacaran Period, some 50 million years before the first trilobites. In an illustrated lecture, Andrew H. Knoll, a professor of natural history at Harvard University traces the fossil record of Earth’s earliest known animals, asking how these remains illuminate the early evolution of our own kingdom. He also looks at geological evidence that animals diversified in a rapidly changing world, where increasing availability of food and oxygen may have facilitated biological change. Set within the framework of Earth’s entire history, the initial diversification of animals can be seen as both the culmination of more than three billion years of evolution and a radical departure from all that came before.

Wed., Dec. 6, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-418; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Surviving the Climate Crisis Lessons from the Earth’s Past

For most of its 4.54 billion years, Earth has proven it can manage just fine without human beings. Then came the first proto-humans, who emerged a little more than 2 million years ago—a fleeting moment in geological time. What made it possible? Ironically, it’s the same thing that now threatens us—climate change.

Climate variability has at times created new niches that humans or their ancestors could potentially exploit and challenges that at times have spurred innovation. But there’s a relatively narrow envelope of climate variability within which human civilization remains viable, and our survival depends on conditions remaining within that range. Climate scientist Michael Mann examines the knowledge necessary to appreciate the gravity of the unfolding climate crisis—and how to meet it with action. His book Our Fragile Moment: How Lessons from Earth’s Past Can Help Us Survive the Climate Crisis (PublicAffairs) is available for purchase.

Thurs., Jan. 11, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-434; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit each session

Lunchtime with a Curator Decorative Arts Design Series

Join curator Elizabeth Lay, a regular lecturer on the topics of fashion, textiles, and American furniture, for an image-rich lunchtime lecture series focusing on decorative arts and design topics. In the mid-20th century, America overtook Europe as the world’s foremost designer and producer of costume jewelry. What uniquely American social and historic trends propelled the demand for and design of mass-produced, affordable jewelry? Phyllis Gerstell, a decorative arts historian and costume jewelry expert, explores the beauty and history of a now largely vanished American art form.

For more than 40 years, wearing a creation by milliner Sara Sue Sherrill Waldbauer of Miller & Rhoads department store in Richmond was a mark of status and taste. Nichol Gabor, curator of costume and textiles at Richmond’s The Valentine museum, offers a delightful look at why Sara Sue’s signature confections defined the fashionable hat for the city’s ladies who lunched.

For those aligning themselves with the Patriot cause, shoes became an unexpected signifier of political allegiance in the decades leading up to the American Revolution. Kimberly Alexander, director of museum studies at the University of New Hampshire, examines how the choice of footwear came to represent colonial economic independence and symbolized a break from the yoke of trade with Great Britain.

OCT 2 Fabulous Fakes: The Golden Age of American Costume Jewelry, 1935–65

OCT 16 “Designed for You”: Hats Created by Milliner Sara Sue of Virginia

OCT 30 Shoes and the American Revolution: Purchasing Patriotism, 1760s–1770s

3-session series: Mon., Oct. 2, 16, and 30, 12 p.m.; CODE 1K0-407; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Individual sessions: Mon., Oct. 2 (CODE 1K0-408); Mon., Oct. 16 (CODE 1K0-409); Mon., Oct. 30 (CODE 1K0-410); 12 p.m.; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

You love art. Now go deeper.

Art is all around us. It excites us, enriches our lives, and enlivens our imaginations. To truly appreciate any work of art, we need to understand the context and culture in which it was created. That’s why Smithsonian Associates offers a Certificate Program in World Art History

The wide-ranging offerings are designed to provide a global perspective on art and architecture and draw on the Smithsonian’s world-class collections and the rich resources of other Washington institutions. They are selected from among Smithsonian Associates courses, seminars, study tours, and studio art classes.

Look for World Art History Certificate throughout the program guide to see current listings. Get started today and complete the certificate requirements at your own pace. Registration is ongoing and year round. Credits are counted from day of registration and are not given retroactively. SmithsonianAssociates.org/artcertificate

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

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit Expressionism: The Art of Emotions

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

OCT 4 The Origin and Meaning of Expressionism

OCT 11 Die Brücke and the Art of Woodblock Printing

OCT 18 Der Blaue Reiter Group

OCT 25 Expressionists and “Degenerate Art”

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

New Series: A Mid-century Modern Focus

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Saarinens

A Family Tradition in Architecture and Design

Eero Saarinen was one of the most prominent architects in America working in the mid-20th century. Among his best-known and most photographed works are Dulles Airport, the Gateway Arch in St Louis, and the TWA Terminal at JFK Airport. From 1948 when Saarinen won the competition to design the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which became the iconic Gateway Arch, his fame was assured. However, his story begins much earlier in Sweden. With a father who was an architect and city planner and a mother who was a textile artist and sculptor, the family often collaborated on projects. Lecturer Bill Keene explores the family’s creative history, as well as the span of Eero Saarinen’s brief career, studded with a series of iconic and trendsetting projects including the General Motors Technical Center, a chapel at MIT, and the CBS Building in New York City, before his death at age 51.

Wed., Oct. 11, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-050; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

From Rococo to Realism

Masters and Masterpieces of 18th- and 19th-Century European Painting

The 18th and 19th centuries were complex and contradictory times, characterized by political revolution, industrialization, and social change throughout the Western world. These upheavals are reflected in the diverse approaches that contemporary visual artists took toward their work and the codification of—and rebellion against—rules laid down by various royal academies of the fine arts.

In a lavishly illustrated series, art historian Nancy G. Heller focuses on the principal European cultural movements of the 1700s and early 1800s—Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Realism—as demonstrated in paintings by masters of the period. She also touches on parallel developments in European sculpture, architecture, literature, and music.

OCT 19 Ornamental, Elegant, and Sometimes Naughty: The Intimacy of Rococo Art

OCT 26 Sober, Moralizing Art: Neoclassical Dignity and Stoicism

NOV 2 The Allure of the Exotic and the Fear (and Thrill) of the Irrational: Romanticism

NOV 9 Paintings of Modern Life: Realism

4 sessions: Thurs., Oct. 19–Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-282; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Tiger and Snake by Eugène Delacroix, 1862

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

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit for each

Women of the Medici From Patrons to Queens

The story of the Medici’s consolidation of power between Cosimo the Elder’s assumption of power in 1434 and the accession of Duke Cosimo I in 1537 is well-known and documented. Less familiar is that of the wives, daughters, and sisters who bolstered the family’s rise and furthered its interests.

Significant and fascinating Medici women include Contessina de' Bardi wife of Cosimo the Elder; Lucrezia Tornabuoni, mother of Lorenzo the Magnificent; Lucrezia’s daughter-in-law Clarice Orsini; Eleonora di Toledo, wife of Duke Cosimo I; and two Medici queens of France, Catherine and Marie.

As authority gravitated toward the Medici and away from the Florentine government during the late years of Cosimo the Elder’s rule, it brought increased opportunities for female influence. Medici women exercised power, acting as patrons within extended networks and as intercessors.

Fri., Nov. 3, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-031; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Sacred Images

The Christmas Story in Renaissance Art

The Christmas story has inspired some of the most affectionate, gentle, and intimate images in the history of Western art. They bring to life the account of Christ’s birth, first told in the New Testament gospels of Saint Matthew and Saint Luke. Equally beautiful are the paintings that depict the events leading up to and following the child’s birth.

How the biblical narrative was portrayed in Renaissance art dramatically evolved over time, mirroring changes in society and shifts in religious attitude. Its depiction moved from a narrow, sacred vision of mother and child to a full-blown cast of humans and animals, imagery that continues to be used in modern times. Ruffolo offers a lavishly illustrated exploration of the Christmas story as told through painting.

Fri., Dec. 15, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-034; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Collecting Fine Art: From Conception to Conservation

Collecting art can be one of life’s most exciting, consuming, and satisfying pleasures. The research, the hunt, the thrill of discovery and acquisition, the amazing people you meet along the way, and the expanded worldview and self-knowledge that attend it all are simply exhilarating.

In this 2-session course for new and seasoned collectors alike, art critic and adviser Judy Pomeranz explores how to find your own collecting passion that also fits the dimensions of your pocketbook; where to find and buy art; how to perform due diligence; and how to negotiate systems within the various marketplaces. She also discusses collection management, including caring for, installing, protecting, and conserving works; cataloging, valuing, and insuring them; and deaccessioning.

2 sessions: Mon., Oct. 23 and 30, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-401; Members $50; Nonmembers $60

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Exploring the Cluny Museum in Paris

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

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

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

Write Into Art

Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art

Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for three online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, wordsketching, and imaginative response to prompts.

The sessions spotlight a diverse range of visual art chosen to inspire writers of all experience levels to deepen their process and practice.

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit

Art Deco: Vibrant, Eclectic, and Dynamic

Each workshop has a limited enrollment to maximize interaction among the instructor and students.

OCT 24 Collage and Poetry

OCT 31 Symbol and Story

NOV 7 Place and Perspective

3-session series: Tues., Oct. 24, 31 and Nov. 7, 10 a.m.; CODE 1K0-412; Members $105; Nonmembers $115

Individual sessions: Tues., Oct. 24 (CODE 1K0-413); Tues., Oct. 31 (CODE 1K0-414); Tues., Nov. 7 (CODE 1K0-415); 10 a.m.; Members $40; Nonmembers $45

With the advent of the Jazz Age, the art world searched for modern forms and decorative motifs to reflect this exciting new era. They were found in bold geometric shapes such as chevrons, lozenges, zigzags, and sunbursts and in contemporary technology and materials. Drawing on a variety of historical sources, including ancient Egypt, the classical world, and Asian art, Art Deco soon reflected modern living, the machine age, and the skyscraper.

Art historian Bonita Billman discusses this vibrant movement that used all major media including glass, ceramics, metal, wood, textiles, paper, marble, and paint. Through illustrated lectures she highlights examples of Art Deco in architecture, furniture, interiors, fashions, advertisements, and films.

10 a.m. Art Deco’s Origins

11:30 a.m. Le Jazz Hot: French Art Deco

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. Art Deco in England and the Empire

2:45 p.m. American Art Deco and Streamline Moderne

Sat., Nov. 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-288; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit New York’s Art Museums A Virtual Exploration

Manhattan is one of the most exciting art centers in the world. It is filled with talented working artists and commercial art spaces such as galleries, art fairs, and auction houses—and it’s also home to some of the greatest art museums on the planet.

Art critic and adviser Judy Pomeranz looks at several of these institutions—from large and comprehensive to small, focused gems—examining their histories and exploring the objects that help define the museums’ distinctive personalities and are not to be missed when you’re visiting.

NOV 6 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Cloisters, and Frick Collection

NOV 13 The Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum, and Whitney Museum of American Art

NOV 20 The Neue Galerie New York, Hispanic Society Museum & Library, Jewish Museum, Morgan Library, and Studio Museum in Harlem

3 sessions: Mon., Nov 6, 13, 20, 12 p.m.; CODE 1K0-416; Members $75; Nonmembers $85 Related program: An Artful Weekend in New York (see p. 72)

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Close-up on the Cloisters

The Met Cloisters, the branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art of medieval Europe, presents extraordinary works from the 8th to the 16th centuries in a fully immersive setting at the crest of Fort Tryon Park at the northern tip of Manhattan. With commanding views over the Hudson River, the building seamlessly binds imposing stone arches, soaring Gothic doorways, contemplative chapels, and monastic cloisters into a unique confection. The collection encompasses shimmering stained glass, world-famous tapestries, priceless panel paintings, sumptuous silver vessels, and intricately carved ivories. The museum’s integral, lush gardens contribute to the abiding sense of peace and tranquility. Barbara Drake Boehm, curator emerita of the Cloisters, brings the collection to life in a virtual visit. Works from Paris to Prague and Canterbury to Cordoba all attest to the skill and imagination of medieval artists and the beauty they imparted to the world.

Thurs., Nov. 30, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-056; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Mini Skirts, Pantsuits, and Go-Go Boots Fashion in the 1960s

The youth culture of the 1960s collided with haute couture like an atomic bomb. Design historian and curator Elizabeth Lay examines how influences like Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique, the Rolling Stones, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and antiestablishment creeds resulted in massive shifts in fashion—as did the Pill, the Cold War, space travel, and new materials.

Baby boomers were a rising force, demanding clothing that was versatile and affordable. Established fashion houses closed as their places were filled by ready-to-wear shops like Mary Quant in London. The look was androgenous, slim and lithe with large, exaggerated eyes as epitomized by Twiggy and her lean, boyish figure. Models like China Machado and Iman represented a wider range of ethnicities.

Pierre Cardin was expelled from the Chambre Syndicale for creating a line of ready-to-wear, and Yves Saint Laurent took it further with his enormously popular Rive Gauche line in 1966…and the go-go boots marched on. Join Lay for a delightfully illustrated look at the youthquake that shook the world of fashion.

Wed., Nov. 8, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-411; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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.

Autumn’s Harvest

Inspired by works of art by Hudson River landscape painter Jasper Francis Cropsey and poetry by Mary Oliver, explore the lessons that the season of autumn offers us when we slow down, look closely, and reflect. Designed for writers of all levels, the workshop invites you to look outwardly at paintings and poetry and to look inwardly through writing.

TWO OPTIONS: Sun., Nov. 12, 4 p.m. (CODE 1K0-420); Tues., Nov. 14, 10 a.m. (CODE 1K0-421); Members $40; Nonmembers $45

Winter’s Colors

Experience new ways to contemplate the gifts of winter inspired by the vibrant Winter Landscape by Wassily Kandinsky, an artist who embraced the transcendent power of color. Designed for writers of all levels, and for the curious, the workshop invites close observation of artwork and inner reflection through writing.

Tues., Dec. 5, 10 a.m.; CODE 1K0-422; Members $40; Nonmembers $45

Lesser-Known Museums of Rome

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

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

Papal Collections of Rome: Vatican Museums

Each year more than 7 million people visit the Vatican Museums to admire the superb collection of art that has been assembled by numerous popes over the centuries. The Sistine Chapel with its frescoes is the most famous of the museums, but the collection also includes an extensive array of antiquities; paintings and sculptures by celebrated Renaissance artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio; and breathtaking architecture and decorative halls. Ruggiero explores the museums’ treasures.

Mon., Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-308; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Milan in the Footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci

In 1482, Leonardo da Vinci left his native Florence to seek his fortune at the ducal court of Milan. It was a bold move that profoundly transformed his career and personal life. It was here that Leonardo completed his iconic fresco of the Last Supper for the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie; a colossal bronze horse; countless drawings and engineering designs; and a handful of portraits that would redefine Renaissance standards of beauty.

Art historian Laura Morelli explores Milan through the eyes of da Vinci, highlighting the ducal court, the spires of the stunning cathedral, the refectory where monks gazed on his The Last Supper while having breakfast, and the Brera Gallery, which holds some of Leonardo’s most precious works on panel and paper. Her virtual walk through the city offers a unique perspective on the enduring legacy of a Renaissance giant.

Tues., Nov. 14, 12 p.m.; CODE 1H0-788; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Surrealism: The Canvas of Dreams

“Surrealism: The chance meeting on a dissecting table of a sewing machine and an umbrella!” Les Chants de Maldoror, Comte de Lautréamont, 1869

One of the major art movements of the 20th century, Surrealism opened the door to the exploration of the unconscious and the creation of art based on inner reality. It was an art of disquiet, sabotaging the existing order of things. Freud’s dream research liberated artists to see the truth of who we really are, and in their work, dreams became equivalent to imagination itself.

Artist and art historian Joseph Cassar explores the origins of Surrealism, its widespread influence, and many of its most prominent artists, including Max Ernst, Jean Arp, Joan Miró, André Masson, René Magritte, Alberto Giacometti, and Salvador Dali.

Wed., Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-427; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Washington’s Monumental Core The Evolution of the National Mall

Over nearly 250 years, the National Mall has evolved as the center stage of the nation’s capital. The Founding Fathers imagined the District of Columbia as a shining beacon of democracy for a newly independent nation, reflected in L'Enfant's plan for the National Mall as its ceremonial core. Progress, however, was slow and laborious. Less than 40 years after the establishment of Washington, Charles Dickens described the underwhelming capital as a “city of magnificent intentions.”

Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, traces the Mall’s transition from pasture lands to military training grounds and from mud flats to grand monuments, sharing the tumultuous and lesser-known history of some of our most enduring national landmarks.

The National

Thurs., Nov. 30, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-057; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

in Washington, D.C., ca. 1863

Related program: The Smithsonian Museums: Tracing the Arc of American Architecture (see p. 50)

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Picasso: Beyond Innovation

His name is synonymous with 20th-century art, and art historian Nancy G. Heller will remind you why. A bona fide child prodigy, Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) grew up to become a co-creator of Cubism, one of art's most explosively influential avant-garde movements.

But that was just the beginning. For the next six and a half decades Picasso was a wildly successful, prolific, and controversial painter, sculptor, draftsman, printmaker, and theatrical designer. His grand passions—for women and art—led to a torturous personal life and an enormous body of work celebrated (and criticized) through countless exhibitions and awards, plus an ever-growing bibliography.

Picasso still looms large in our world. This year’s 50th anniversary of his death is being marked by major exhibitions in both Europe and the U.S. Focusing on lavish images of the artist’s works, Heller discusses his continuing relevance for art lovers and emerging artists in the 21st century and the current debate about how his personal actions influence our perceptions of him as an artist and how we view his works.

Thurs., Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-291; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Picasso’s War: How Modern Art Came to America

In early 1939, Pablo Picasso was renowned in Europe but disdained by many in the United States. One year later, Americans across the country were clamoring to see his art. How did the controversial leader of the Paris avant-garde break through to the heart of American culture?

A generation earlier, Irish American lawyer John Quinn set out to build the greatest collection of Picassos in existence. His dream of a museum to house them died with him, until it was rediscovered by Alfred H. Barr Jr., a cultural visionary who at 27 became the director of the new Museum of Modern Art. Barr and Quinn’s shared goal would be thwarted in the years to come—by popular hostility, by the Depression, by Parisian intrigues, and by Picasso himself. It would take Hitler’s campaign against Jews and modern art, and Barr’s fraught alliance with Paul Rosenberg, Picasso’s persecuted dealer, to get Picasso’s most important paintings out of Europe.

Mounted in the shadow of war, the groundbreaking exhibition “Picasso: Forty Years of His Art” launched Picasso in America, defined MoMA as we know it, and shifted the focus of the art world from Paris to New York. Author Hugh Eakin reveals how a single exhibition irrevocably changed American taste and, in doing so, saved dozens of the 20th century’s most enduring artworks from the Nazis.

Your

Eakin’s book Picasso’s War: How Modern Art Came to America (Crown) is available for purchase. Wed., Dec. 13, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-433; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

It Pays To Become a Member (Especially Today) The digital program guide is sent automatically to members via email (1–2 weeks before the print guide arrives).

Members receive early email announcements of new programs, free events, and other special offerings—ahead of the general public.

Visit Our Website Purchase tickets and make payments; become a member or renew your membership; sign up for program eAlerts; and access our popular Digital Digest.

World

Art History Certificate elective:

Earn ½ credit Many Wests: Artists Shape an American Idea

Ideas about the American West, both in popular culture and in commonly accepted historical narratives, are often based on a past that never was and fail to consider important events that occurred. A new exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, “Many Wests: Artists Shape an American Idea”, examines the perspectives of 48 modern and contemporary artists who offer a broader and more inclusive view of this region, which too often has been dominated by romanticized myths and EuroAmerican historical accounts.

Working in various media, from painting and sculpture to photography and mixed media, the artists featured bring a nuanced and multifaceted history to light. “Many Wests” highlights many voices—including artists who identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian American, Latinx, and LGBTQ+—who stake a claim on the American West. They reveal that “the West” has always been a place of multiple stories, experiences, and cultures. Anne Hyland, the Art Bridges Initiative curatorial coordinator at the American Art Museum, provides an overview of the exhibition.

Wed., Nov. 29, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-542; McEvoy Auditorium, Smithsonian American Art Museum; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

The Art of Gandhara: Where India Met Greece

Situated between India, Persia, and the Greco-Roman world, the region of greater Gandhara (stretching through parts of modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan) produced artwork that blended influences and ideas from many cultures. Treasure hoards with bounty that includes glasswork from Rome, Central Asian jewelry, and South Asian ivory are a testament to the region’s central role in the long-distance exchange of goods. Robert DeCaroli, a professor of art history at George Mason University, examines the origins of the region’s material culture, explores the ways imperial and religious power were displayed, and traces the role of trade in the exchange of ideas.

10 a.m. Early Empires

11:30 a.m. The Rise of the Kushan Empire

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. Buddhism in Gandhara

2:45 p.m. Beyond the Boundaries of Gandhara

Sat., Dec. 2, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1J0-316; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Art Treasures of Bologna

While Bologna is largely celebrated today for its culinary traditions and university, which is considered the oldest in the world, it is also home to some of Italy’s most important art. Michelangelo created two statuettes for the tomb of St. Dominic in the basilica named after the medieval mendicant saint. Bologna also was home to extraordinary artists such as Annibale Carracci, Lavinia Fontana, Domenichino, and Guercino, whose masterpieces can be found in the National Gallery (Pinacoteca) of Bologna. Rocky Ruggiero, an expert in Renaissance art, explores the artistic treasures and great artists of Bologna.

Wed., Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-318; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Chesapeake Bay: Working the Water

Photographer Jay Fleming has spent more than a decade documenting all facets of the Chesapeake Bay’s commercial fisheries and the people and businesses that depend on the harvest. Join him for a vividly illustrated program that brings the bay’s seafood industry into focus. While shooting for his book Working the Water, Fleming traveled up and down the Chesapeake, from Havre de Grace, Maryland, to Hampton Roads, Virginia, and immersed himself in the watermen’s culture. He spent months at places like Reedville and Tangier Island to document the bay’s remaining working waterfronts. Drawing on his travels across the watershed, Fleming spotlights the diversity of the Chesapeake Bay’s marine environments and the people who make a living on the water.

Fri., Dec. 8, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-058; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Retail:

The Gif t of Color

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

Retail: $1200 Members:

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

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

The Smithsonian Museums

Tracing the Arc of American Architecture

The Smithsonian Institution has shaped the character of the National Mall since 1855. Washington’s most beloved museums trace the arc of American architecture, from James Renwick’s Gothic design of the Smithsonian Castle to the contemporary National Museum of African American History and Culture by Phil Freelon and David Adjaye. Romanesque to Victorian, Neoclassical to Brutalist, each unique building is an architectural study all its own. Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, investigates the style, design, controversy, construction, and fascinating backstories behind these celebrated museums.

Thurs., Dec. 14, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-060; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Related program: Washington’s Monumental Core: The Evolution of the National Mall (see p. 45)

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Brutalism: Masterpieces or Monstrosities?

Brutalism, a style emphasizing clarity in presentation of materials, emerged during the 1950s and remained an important architectural development globally into the 1970s. The movement represents respect for materials expressed honestly and naturally, without decoration or ornamentation. Its hallmarks include raw concrete with a rough finish often unpainted, exposed brick in simple patterns, steel left uncovered, and glass employed in new and unconventional ways.

Often associated with institutional or public-use buildings, particularly in the rebuilding of devastated cities following World War II, the very nature of many of the war memorials, public housing, and urban centers in Europe appeared striking and arresting to some but soulless monstrosities of concrete, steel, and glass to others. Bill Keene traces the spread of Brutalism and examines its many facets, including some surprising twists to stereotypical structures and the recent revival of interest in the style.

Tues., Dec. 12, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-059; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit

Visual Literacy: How To Look at Art

The ability to derive meaning from what we see is an essential skill in a culture saturated with images. Much like other forms of communication, it is a way of making a statement—but visually, not verbally. Once you understand this language, reading images, particularly art, is not only simpler but infinitely more gratifying.

Using outstanding works from the history of art as well as images from popular culture, art historian Nancy G. Heller focuses on how art communicates, how to analyze and interpret it, and how we can see it as a cultural product that reveals something about the society that produced it.

JAN 8 The Visual Elements of Art

JAN 9 The Principles of Design

JAN 10 Iconography: Understanding Symbols and Meaning

JAN 11 Is There a Correct Way To Appreciate Art?

4 sessions: Mon.–Thurs., Jan. 8–11, 12 p.m.; CODE 1M2-296; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

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

DRAWING

Intermediate Drawing

Participants refine and expand their drawing skills through studio practice in traditional media. Sessions focus on classic subject areas such as landscape, portrait, and figure; warm-up exercises, critiques, and demonstrations are included.

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Introduction to Indirect Oil Painting: Cézanne-Inspired Still-Life Compositions

IN PERSON: Tues., Jan. 16–March 5, 1:30 p.m.; George Tkabladze, details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0AC; Members $255; Nonmembers $285

Beginning Drawing

This introductory course teaches the basic skills needed for drawing. Working with a variety of materials and techniques, including charcoal and pencils, students explore the rendering of geometric forms, volume, and perspective, with an emphasis on personal gesture marks.

IN PERSON: Tues., Jan. 16–March 5, 10:30 a.m.; George Tkabladze, details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0AB; Members $255; Nonmembers $285

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

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

TWO IN-PERSON OPTIONS: Wed., Oct. 11–Dec. 6, 2:30 p.m., no class Nov. 22 (CODE 1V0-0YC); Tues., Jan. 16–March 5, 6:30 p.m (CODE 1E0-0AA); Shahin Talishkhan; Ripley Center; details and supply list on website; Members $235; Nonmembers $265

The vibrant medium of oils was a favorite among Impressionist artists because of its luminosity and color layering effects. Working from still-life arrangements reminiscent of Cézanne’s, learn to achieve the brilliant, subtle effects achievable with oil paints.

IN PERSON: Sun., Oct. 15–Nov. 12, 11 a.m., no class Oct. 29; Sandra Gobar; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0YM; Members $195; Nonmembers $215

NEW CLASS

An Introduction to Watercolor: Loose and Beautiful

Discover the versatility and fluidity of painting in watercolor, an exciting and unpredictable medium. Learn techniques such as graded washes, wet-on-wet, wet-ondry, dry brush, splattering, lifting, and glazing.

IN PERSON: Wed., Oct. 25–Nov. 15, 11 a.m.; Lubna Zahid; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V00AG; Member $155; Nonmembers $175

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

Figure Painting from Life

Learn the foundational skills needed to create a naturalistic figure painting from a live model. The class covers basic proportion, anatomical structure, and color mixing from a limited palette.

IN PERSON: Sat., Oct. 28–Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m., no class Nov. 25; Mark Giaimo; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V00AH; Members $235; Nonmembers $265

MIXED-MEDIA n n n n

NEW CLASS

Mixed-Media Remix

Beginning Oil Painting

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

IN PERSON: Wed., Jan. 24-March 20, 6:30 p.m., no class Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0AH; Members $265; Nonmembers $295

Support what we do at Smithsonian Associates

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

SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels

Rev up your collage and mixed-media experience and incorporate dimension into your artwork with an expanded repertoire of materials and techniques. While the focus is on innovative ways to use common materials, you also explore alternatives for the application of materials in smaller-format artwork.

IN PERSON: Sat., Oct. 14–Nov. 4, 1:30 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0ZX; Members $185; Nonmembers $205

Exploring Encaustic

The encaustic method combines the luminescence of watercolor, the rich color and thickness of oils, and the quick-drying benefits of acrylic. In this one-day workshop ideal for all levels of experience, study fusing and carving in wax as well as capturing vibrant pigments using heated beeswax.

IN PERSON: Sat., Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m.; Marcie Wolf-Hubbard; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0AK; Members $145; Nonmembers $155

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Mosaic Jewelry

Learn the techniques needed to create unique fine mosaic jewelry as you create beautiful silver-plate mosaic pendants using a wide variety of materials.

IN PERSON: Sat., Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m.; Bonnie Fitzgerald; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0ZJ; Members $85; Nonmembers $95

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Wool Embroidery from the Andes

Discover the joy of this craft characterized by colorful floral designs embroidered with wool in a style that originated in the Andean mountains of Peru. Create a design using a variety of stitches that can be applied to future projects.

IN PERSON: Wed., Oct. 25–Nov. 15, 11 a.m.; Susana Romero; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0AS; Members $125; Nonmembers $145

Embroidered Pendant Workshop

Create a unique stitched pendant hung from a strand of colorful beads. Learn a variety of easy and lovely stitches, how to mount the embroidered cloth in a pendant bezel, and jewelrymaking techniques to finish the piece.

IN PERSON: Sat., Nov. 4, 12 p.m.; Heather Kerley and Mïa Vollkommer; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1K0-0AU; Members $60; Nonmembers $70

Sock Animal Workshop

Join this fun, hands-on workshop to upcycle humble socks into whimsical and endearing soft animal sculptures. Students use simple hand sewing and stuffing techniques. Some experience with embroidery may be helpful.

IN PERSON: Sat., Nov. 11, 11 a.m.; Lauren Kingsland; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V00AW; Members $55; Nonmembers $65

Felted Shibori Duo

Shibori is the Japanese term for an array of resist dyeing techniques that create designs on cloth. Similar techniques have been widely practiced in many other cultures. Create lightweight, felted wrist warmers and a cowl neck scarf as you explore two complementary shibori processes.

IN PERSON: Sun., Nov. 12 and 19, 10 a.m.; Renate Maile-Moskowitz; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0BJ; Members $185; Nonmembers $205

Freestyle Embroidery Basics

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

IN PERSON: Wed., Nov. 1, 6 p.m.; Heather Kerley; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0ZC; Members $55; Nonmembers $65

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IN PERSON

SCULPTURE n n n n

Knitting Socks in Three Weeks

This course allows participants to learn how to make socks in a supportive, low-pressure setting. Explore circular knitting techniques and slip stitch knitting. Also learn about short rows, picking up stitches, how to turn a heel, Kitchener seams, finishing, and alternative sock construction.

IN PERSON: Wed., Jan. 17–31, 1:30 p.m.; Ann Richards; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0AL; Members $115; Nonmembers $135

Figure Sculpture

Students examine the materials and processes for sculpting a portrait, torso, or full figure using a live model. Learn clay sculpture techniques focused on tool use, armatures, anatomy, and proportion and explore individual style.

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Introduction to Photography II

Whether you work digitally or on film, this course is ideal for students who are familiar with their cameras and are interested in expanding their understanding of photography fundamentals.

IN PERSON: Wed., Oct. 11–Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m., no class Nov. 22; Andargé Asfaw; details on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0ZN; Members $225; Nonmembers $255

Introduction to Studio Portraiture

IN PERSON: Tues., Jan. 16–March 5, 6 p.m.; George Tkabladze; details and supply list on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-0AP; Members $215; Nonmembers $245

This photography course is designed for those who want to learn how to create portraits, using the special lighting controls of the studio. Students work in the format of their choosing and may work in either black-andwhite or color.

IN PERSON: Tues., Oct. 10–Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m., no class Nov. 21; Marty Kaplan; details on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0ZM; Members $255; Nonmembers $285

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., Oct. 15–Nov. 19, 1:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; Ripley Center; CODE 1V0-0ZR; Members $195; Nonmembers $225

ART SCI ENCE STUDIO ARTS CULTURE HI STORY STUDIO ARTS

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

ONLINE

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

ART THEORY AND PRACTICE n

Visual Journaling: Creativity Workout

Creative Mind Mapping

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

ONLINE: Sat., Nov. 18, 1 p.m.; Renee Sandell; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AF; Members $75; Nonmembers $85

Curating a Life: Art as Memoir

Keep a visual-thinking journal as you learn to see like an artist and create personally meaningful works of art. Use text, images, and newly developed visual thinking skills to create a “memoir museum”—a handmade map that traces where you’ve been in your life and where you have yet to explore.

ONLINE: Mon., Oct. 23–Nov. 27, 4 p.m.; Renee Sandell; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AE; Members $225; Nonmembers $255

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Composition

SOLD OUT

Learn how to create mind maps worthy of framing. Incorporate easy mixed-media techniques to illustrate your thoughts and goals, which can be applied to list making, bullet journaling, visual notetaking, and, most important, an organized action plan.

ONLINE: Mon., Nov. 6 and 13, 6:30 p.m.; Mïa Vollkommer; details and supply list on website; CODE 1K0-0YH; Members $75; Nonmembers $95

Neuroscience and Art

A Creative Connection

Recent findings in neuroscience reveal how our visual system informs and interprets the visible world for us. As you mesh these new findings with familiar elements of art such as value, shape, and color, your paintings take on fresh creative edges.

ONLINE: Mon., Oct. 23 and 30, 2 p.m.; Chester Kasnowski; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0BH; Members $65; Nonmembers $85

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.

TWO ONLINE OPTIONS: Thurs., Oct. 26-Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m. (CODE 1V0-0YG); Mon., Jan. 22-Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m. (CODE 1E0-0AD); Shahin Talishkhan; details and supply list on website; Members $155; Nonmembers $175

DRAWING n n n n

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Drawing Light and How the Masters Did It

Learn the strategies that Rembrandt, Daumier, Cézanne, and Van Gogh used to harness light and unify, intensify, and give dimension to their images. Exercises focus on using graphite, ink, and pastel to draw studies of masterworks.

ONLINE: Tues., Oct. 10–Nov. 7, 1 p.m.; Nick Cruz Velleman; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0XZ; Members $185; Nonmembers $215

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.

NEW CLASSES

Introduction to Trois Crayons

Trois crayons is a drawing technique using three colors of chalk: red, black, and white. Students hone skills in identifying light and shadow while creating drawings with full mid-range tones using the three colors.

ONLINE: Thurs., Oct. 12 and 19, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AB; Members $95; Nonmembers $115

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., Nov. 9 and 16, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AD; Members $95; Nonmembers $115

ONLINE: Sun., Oct. 29–Dec. 10, 1 p.m., no class Nov. 26; Sughra Hussainy; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0YE; Members $195; Nonmembers $225

Complete Colored Pencils

Colored pencils enliven work with rich, vibrant color and a dizzying range of effects. The medium is also relatively inexpensive and very portable. Learn basic to intermediate methods and strategies, including how to achieve watercolors’ translucency through layering, blending, and buffing strokes.

ONLINE: Thurs., Jan. 25–Feb. 1, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; details and supply list on website; CODE 1E0-0BB; Members $135; Nonmembers $155

Introduction to Charcoal Drawing

Learn about different forms of charcoal as well as a variety of styes and techniques—including pressure, twisting, blending, and smudging—by doing exercises in class. Then create a more finished project of choice: portrait, landscape, or still life.

ONLINE: Thurs., Dec. 7 and 14, 1 p.m.; Lori VanKirk Schue; details and supply list on website; CODE 1E00BA; Members $95; Nonmembers $115

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Portrait Painting in Oil and Acrylic

Students learn how to paint expressive portraits as they improve their observational skills, ability to see angles and shapes, and understanding of color and value. The class emphasizes how to define a subject’s unique features by determining shapes of light and shadow. Students may work from a bust or statue or copy a painting or photograph.

TWO ONLINE OPTIONS: Wed., Oct. 11–Nov. 15, 7 p.m. (CODE 1V0-0YL); Wed., Jan. 24–March 6, no class Feb. 14, 7 p.m. (CODE 1E0-0AE); Eric Westbrook; details and supply list on website; Members $205; Nonmembers $235

Painting Water with Watercolor

Learn simple techniques to create landscape and seascape paintings. Depict bodies of still and moving water, such as rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and oceans. Special emphasis is given to various watercolor techniques such as wet-on-wet, weton-dry, and masking.

ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 16–March 5, 10:30 a.m.; Lubna Zahid; details and supply list on website; CODE 1E00AF; Members $265; Nonmembers $295

World Art History Certificate

elective: Earn ½ credit

Techniques in Modernist Painting

Experiment with a variety of Modernist painting styles such as Cubism, Suprematism, and Abstract Expressionism. Through a series of exercises, including stilllife setups and model sessions, participants learn practical applications of the concepts and techniques of Modernism.

ONLINE: Mon., Oct. 16–Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0YP; Members $245; Nonmembers $275

Botanical Illustration: Watercolor Flowers

Learn watercolor techniques specific to botanical illustration, including dry brushing and creating small details, while working from sketches or photos of real flowers. Previous drawing experience is required.

ONLINE: Mon., Oct. 30–Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m.; Natalia Wilkins-Tyler; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V00AJ; Members $125 Nonmembers $145

NEW CLASS

Amaryllis in Watercolor

Fine-tune a drawing of an amaryllis from a provided tracing, then focus on creating captivating, colorful shapes. As you add details, the rhythmic lines and soft folds of the petals become even more vibrant and lifelike.

ONLINE: Tues., Dec. 5 and Wed., Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m.; Cindy Briggs; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AL; Members $105; Nonmembers $125

Elegant and Whimsical Letters in Watercolor

The art of stylized lettering adds a distinctive element to journal pages, greeting cards, or anything that you’d like to carry your personal touch. This class offers an introduction to creating altered block letters, script letters, botanical borders, and illuminated initials with vines and flourishes.

ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 16–March 5, 5 p.m.; Lubna Zahid; details and supply list on website; CODE 1E0-0AG; Members $265; Nonmembers $295

Principles of Abstraction

Artful Mind, Tranquil Mind

Artists throughout the centuries have developed practices to center themselves, find calm, and prepare for making art. The same techniques can be helpful in everyday life as well, offering both a quiet escape and a spark for your imagination. Explore markmaking with lines, swirls, and puddles, and use paper to experiment with folding and tearing.

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

ONLINE: Thurs., Jan. 18–March 7, 6:30 p.m.; Shahin Talishkhan; details and supply list on website; CODE 1E0-0AJ; Members $265; Nonmembers $295

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Collage and Mixed-Media

This class focuses on the variety of choices in collage. Whether constructing a piece of personal history with mementos or an abstract piece, students learn through experimentation with color, form, and design. They explore the use of text, images, texture, and natural and found objects.

ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 11–Dec. 6, 1:30 p.m., no class Nov. 22; Marcie Wolf-Hubbard; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0YS; Members $245; Nonmembers $275

ONLINE: Mon., Oct. 23–Dec. 4, 12 p.m., no class Nov. 20; Sushmita Mazumdar; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0YV; Members $95; Nonmembers $125

Search and Rescue: Back from the (Creative) Edge

Breathe new life into your unfinished or “failed” collages or paintings. Find ways to infuse interest and change the look and feel of your pieces.

ONLINE: Mon., Oct. 23–Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0ZW; Members $105; Nonmembers $125

Gyotaku II: Hawaiian Style

If you’ve taken the studio arts class “Gyotaku: The Japanese Art of Fish Printing,” you are ready to try Hawaiian-style gyotaku. It includes printing in colorful inks and thin acrylics and adding color and texture with watercolor crayons and acrylic media.

ONLINE: Sat., Oct. 28, 10 a.m.; Sue Fierston; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AA; Members $75; Nonmembers $85

Collage and Mixed-Media: People and Places

Collage is a highly accessible art technique that playfully combines sometimes unlikely materials. Explore the possibilities of collage, realistic abstraction, and altered images as you create works centered around people and places.

ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 11–Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m., no class Nov. 22; Marcie Wolf-Hubbard; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0YT; Members $245; Nonmembers $275

Introduction to Papercutting

Learn the main concepts of papercutting and how to translate your personal vision into a small custom project. Leave with your original papercut and the know-how to continue working at home.

ONLINE: Tues., Nov. 14 and Thurs., Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m.; Annie Howe; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AN; Members $75; Nonmembers $95

Collage Jumpstart

Discover a variety of approaches to creating mixed-media collages and learn techniques for creating personalized papers. Capitalize on everyday materials such as coffee filters, magazines, and book pages; use household tools and utensils to make stencils and create patterns and textures on papers.

ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 11–Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m.; Sharon Robinson; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0ZV; Members $140; Nonmembers $160

Introduction to White-Line Woodblock Printing

White-line woodcuts are multicolor images printed from a single block of wood. Learn to create your own by cutting a nature print or simple line drawing into a wood block, creating the “white lines” when printed.

ONLINE: Sat., Nov. 18, 10 a.m.; Sue Fierston; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AP; Members $75; Nonmembers $85

Crepe Paper Flower: Paperwhites

Create delicate and cheerful paperwhites from crepe paper. The flowers are made from one color of the crepe paper in a variety of weights, and some blooms are joined together using wire.

ONLINE: Sat., Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m.; Karen Cadogan; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AR; Members $75; Nonmembers $85

White-Line Woodblock Printing II

Learn a variety of advanced techniques, such as the Japanese bokashi style and printing with mica, as you create several prints from your favorite white-line woodcut block.

ONLINE: Sat., Dec. 2, 10 a.m.; Sue Fierston; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AQ; Members $75; Nonmembers $85

Newsprint Collage

Making art can be a wonderful way to escape from everyday life. It can also be a useful tool in understanding current events. Work with newspapers, magazines, and mixed-media techniques to create a visual representation of the news through collage—and a uniquely personal artwork.

ONLINE: Tues., Oct. 31–Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m.; Kate Lewis; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V00BL; Members $175; Nonmembers $195

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Tapestry Weaving

Holiday Card Workshop: Season’s Greetings

Begin by learning basic tapestry weaving techniques and design. Then create a miniature woven tapestry on a small frame loom. Techniques covered include warping the loom; color mixing and hatching; and how to create horizontal stripes, vertical lines, irregular shapes, shading, and contour.

ONLINE: Tues., Oct. 10–Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m., no class Nov. 21; Tea Okropiridze; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0YY; Members $225; Nonmembers $255

NEW CLASS

Intermediate Tapestry Weaving

This year, send friends and family bespoke holiday cards. Learn tips and techniques for creating simply elegant, unique cards. Topics include card construction, sentiments, foreground, background, and statement embellishments. Beginners and experienced card makers are welcome.

ONLINE: Sat., Nov. 4, 10:30 a.m.; Karen Cadogan; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0YW; Members $75; Nonmembers $85

Holiday Card Workshop: Fancy Folds

Create four different fancyfold cards sure to knock the stockings off the people on your holiday card list. Fancy folds can be intimidating, but this workshop guides you through the steps. Detailed instructions provide you with everything you need to create fancy folds on your own after the class.

ONLINE: Sun., Nov. 5, 10:30 a.m.; Karen Cadogan; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0YX; Members $75;

Nonmembers $85

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your tapestry weaving skills by exploring several techniques, including interlock, transparency in tapestry, and vertical gradation using differently colored strands of yarn and mélange. Additionally, the class covers warping the loom, finishing techniques, and raised tapestry methods.

ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 16–March 6, 6:30 p.m.; Tea Okropiridze; details and supply list on website; CODE 1E0-0BC; Members $215; Nonmembers $245

Sustainable Closet: Mending and Darning

Learn to do beautiful, visible mending using patches, embroidery, and darning to make your clothes last longer. Get an introduction to basic alterations for resizing clothing, transforming T-shirts, and recycling fabric scraps for accessories.

ONLINE: Sat., Oct. 14 and 21, 1:30 p.m.; Lauren Kingsland and Heather Kerley; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0YZ; Members $95; Nonmembers $115 By Heather Kerley

Log Cabin Quilt Building Blocks

The log cabin quilt, with blocks of simple strips built around a center, is a traditional style, yet remains a modern favorite. Learn this technique, then finish 10 blocks into a table runner.

ONLINE: Wed., Nov. 1–15, 12 p.m.; Lauren Kingsland; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0ZB; Members $95; Nonmembers $115

Natural Milkweed Floss Ornament

Learn to transform a milkweed pod and its floss into a whimsical nesting swan that will add a touch of nature to your holiday décor. Both wet- and needle-felting techniques are used.

Weaving Plaid on the Rigid Heddle Loom

ONLINE: Thurs., Nov. 16, 5 p.m.; Renate Maile-Moskowitz; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0BK; Members $55; Nonmembers $65

Basics of Quiltmaking by Hand

This class presents the basic sewing skills needed for hand quilting as well as practice in design and color choices. Historical and modern examples provide context and inspiration.

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

ONLINE: Thurs., Nov. 2–16, 12 p.m.; Tea Okropiridze; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AT; Members $105; Nonmembers $125

Introduction to Bobbin Lace

Learn the basics of weaving handmade bobbin lace, from winding the bobbins to making four small lace projects.

ONLINE: Mon., Nov. 6–27, 12 p.m.; Karen Thompson; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0AV; Members $205; Nonmembers $225

ONLINE: Mon., Jan. 22–Feb. 26, 1 p.m., no class Feb. 19; Lauren Kingsland; details and supply list on website; CODE 1E0-0AM; Members $135; Nonmembers $165

Meet

our Instructors

View portfolios of work by our instructors at SmithsonianAssociates.org/art instructors

In-person classes are taught by professional artists and teachers.

ONLINE

Introduction to Afghan Manuscript Illumination

The beautiful decorations of religious and secular manuscripts are centuries-old Islamic traditions. In this beginning course, students learn elements of gold-leaf manuscript illumination in the Afghan tradition and create geometric, vegetable, and floral motifs and nature-based designs.

ONLINE: Sun., Oct. 15–Dec. 10, 9 a.m., no class Nov. 26; Sughra Hussainy; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0ZD; Members $245; Nonmembers $275

NEW CLASSES

Introduction to Blackletter

Calligraphy: Textura

Of Blackletter’s various styles, Textura is the one most associated with the Gothic aesthetic. Students discover its history and special characteristics and learn to create letters, numbers, and punctuation marks.

ONLINE: Sat., Oct. 14–Dec. 9, 2 p.m., no class Nov. 25; Sharmila Karamchandani; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V00AC; Members $235; Nonmembers $265

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OTHER MEDIA

The Art of Floral Design

Alternative Pens for Mark Making and Calligraphy

Harness your imagination to create writing instruments with common household items and found objects in nature. In-class exercises are geared toward experimental calligraphy, mark making, and spontaneity.

ONLINE: Sat., Nov. 11–Dec. 9, 10 a.m., no class Nov. 25; Sharmila Karamchandani; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V00AX; Members $115; Nonmembers $135

NEW CLASS

Beaded Bauble

Explore the spectrum of floral design. Among the practical areas covered are sourcing (with a focus on sustainability), making the most of seasonal flowers, creating centerpieces, wiring techniques, and photographing your work. The class is designed for students of all levels.

ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 11–Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m.; Arrin Sutliff; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0ZF; Members $155; Nonmembers $185

Create a holiday ornament that is destined to become an heirloom or just brighten up a window space during the gray days of winter with this easierthan-it-looks beaded glass ball. Learn a simple netting technique to cover the ornament.

ONLINE: Sat., Nov. 18, 11 a.m.; Mïa Vollkommer; details and supply list on website; CODE 1K00AZ; Members $75; Nonmembers $85

Orchids for the Holidays

Take a break from the stress of the season to enjoy an entertaining, informative afternoon with an orchid expert and create an elegant orchid centerpiece.

ONLINE: Sat., Nov. 4, 2 p.m.; Barbara Schmidt; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V00AY; Members $30; Nonmembers $40

Modern Evergreen Wreath

Just in time for the holidays, create a modern wreath with fresh evergreens on a metal hoop. Many styles of wreaths, and even garlands, are possible with the wiring techniques covered in class.

TWO ONLINE OPTIONS: Wed., Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. (CODE 1E00AQ); Tues., Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. (CODE 1E0-0AR); Arrin Sutliff; details and supply list on website; Members $35; Nonmembers $45

Introduction to Beading

Learn to create your own handcrafted jewelry. Cover the basics of bead stringing, wireworking, and pearl knotting, along with the names and uses for common hand tools, wire, stringing materials, and findings. Make up to two necklaces, two to three pairs of earrings, and one single-strand necklace or bracelet using the pearl knotting technique.

ONLINE

Contemporary Mosaics: Ancient Motifs, Modern Materials

ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 16–30, 6 p.m.; Mïa Vollkommer; details and supply list on website; CODE 1E0-0AT; Members $195; Nonmembers $215

In this course, students create a modern interpretation of a classical mosaic design inspired by the Roman and Byzantine periods. These modern artworks use unglazed ceramic porcelain and are informed by a review of the history of mosaics, including classical mosaic design and fabrication.

ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 23–Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.; Bonnie Fitzgerald; details and supply list on website; CODE 1E0-0AS; Members $155; Nonmembers $175

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Introduction to Photography

Whether you want to work in digital or film, this course offers a solid foundation for new photographers ready to learn the basics. Topics include camera functions, exposure, metering, working with natural and artificial light, and composition.

ONLINE: Tues., Oct. 10–Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m., no class Nov. 21; Andargé Asfaw; details on website; CODE 1V0-0ZK; Members $225; Nonmembers $255

Aspect Ratios

Gain an understanding of aspect ratios for both digital sensors and film. The class explores changing the aspect ratio in your camera, aspect-ratio constraints in cropping and postproduction, and use of the Photoshop image size and canvas size commands.

ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0ZP; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Understanding Your Digital Mirrorless or SLR Camera

Introduction to Lightroom Classic

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

TWO ONLINE OPTIONS: Sat., Oct. 14 and Sun., Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m. (CODE 1V0-0ZY); Sat., Dec. 2 and Sun., Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m. (CODE 1E0-0AU); Eliot Cohen; details and supply list on website; Members $275; Nonmembers $295

Introduction to iPhone Videography

Get the most out of your digital mirrorless or SLR camera by taking part in this workshop, which gives a solid introduction to these cameras’ features. Learn to use their full range of ISO, shutter, and aperture controls, which provide results that are clearer, sharper, and enriched with more delicate tones.

TWO ONLINE OPTIONS: Sat., Nov 4 and 11, 9:30 a.m. (CODE 1V00BE); Sat., Jan. 20 and 27, 9:30 a.m. (CODE 1E0-0AY); Eliot Cohen; details and supply list on website; Members $265; Nonmembers $285

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Surrealism:

Hands-On History of Photography

Students are introduced to the world of the photo surrealists and explore how they pushed the boundaries of photographic imagery in the 1920s to 1940s. Create a surrealist collage as part of the experience.

ONLINE: Sat., Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, 12 p.m.; Patricia Howard; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0BC; Members $75; Nonmembers $95

Learn the basics of filmmaking using your iPhone. This workshop examines the iPhone’s camera and recording functions, provides production and editing techniques and tips for creating your visual story, and discusses third-party apps and accessories.

ONLINE: Sat., Dec. 9 and Sun., Dec. 10, 10 a.m.; Peggy Feerick; details and supply list on website; CODE 1E0-0AV; Members $75; Nonmembers $95

Natural Lighting Conditions

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

ONLINE: Wed., Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1E0-0AW; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

CULTURE

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PHOTOGRAPHY: Experienced

Photographic Creativity, Design, and Composition

The balance of tension in an image is fundamental in creating well-made visual relationships. This course offers participants a better understanding of compositional elements in photography and how best to apply them. Emphasis is placed on simplicity, balance, and using natural lighting conditions.

ONLINE: Thurs., Oct. 12–Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0ZQ; Members $185; Nonmembers $215

STUDIO ARTS

iPhone Photography II

Take your iPhone camera skills to another level in a two-day workshop that focuses on the ProCamera app and editing techniques; organizing, printing, and posting your photos; and a critique session on images.

ONLINE: Sat., Oct. 21 and Sun., Oct. 22, 10 a.m.; Peggy Feerick; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0ZT; Members $80; Nonmembers $100

The Photo Essay

Learn how to create a photo essay, a set of photographs that tells a story or evokes a series of emotions. Homework assignments are designed to encourage students to explore their own personal interests.

ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 18 and Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0ZS; Members $90; Nonmembers $110

The Art of Black-and-White Photography

Discover how to previsualize black-andwhite images; compose scenes emphasizing texture, line, and contrast; and use software such as Lightroom Classic and Silver Efex Pro to convert image files to black and white.

ONLINE: Tues., Oct. 24–Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m.; Lewis Katz; details on website; CODE 1V0-0BA; Members $125; Nonmembers $145

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: Thurs., Jan. 18 and 25, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1E0-0AX; Members $90; Nonmembers $110

Build Your Photographic Portfolio

Learn how to assemble a personal portfolio that reflects your best work and your distinctive vision as a photographer. Targeted homework assignments help you increase your collection of portfolio-quality work.

ONLINE: Wed., Oct. 25–Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details on website; CODE 1V0-0BB; Members $125; Nonmembers $145

iPhone Photo Editing

The iPhone camera is a simple picture-taking device, but editing is a must for photos to look their best. Discover a select group of specialty apps designed for the iPhone and iPad.

ONLINE: Sat., Nov. 11 and Sun., Nov. 12, 10 a.m.; Peggy Feerick; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V00BF; Members $85; Nonmembers $105

Photography Next Steps: The Personal Project

Look at the work of historical and contemporary photographers and fellow students with the goal of creating an effective photographic series. Through discussion and writing, the concepts of editing and sequencing are explored in terms of a personal project.

ONLINE: Mon., Oct. 30–Nov. 20, 6 p.m.; Patricia Howard; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0BD; Members $125; Nonmembers $145

Photographing Pets and People

Learn to create photo portraits of family, friends—and passers-by—and their pets. Draw on tips from photojournalism and street photography for shooting in various situations.

ONLINE: Thurs., Nov. 16 and 30, 6:30 p.m.; Joe Yablonsky; details and supply list on website; CODE 1V0-0BG; Members $90; Nonmembers $110

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.

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

Walking Tour

16th Street and Adams Morgan

Just a few miles north of the White House, D.C.’s Northwest neighborhoods feel a world away from the towering monuments and expansive boulevards of downtown Washington. Sixteenth Street bisects the District along its north-south axis, as the area transitions from law firms and think tanks to embassies and urban parks. The neighborhoods along this crucial thoroughfare, like Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, and Adams Morgan, have long been recognized for their rich history and cultural diversity. Home to ambassadors and politicians, revolutionaries and civil rights leaders, these areas have hosted and housed every type of District resident.

Join Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, for a walk through some of Washington’s most vibrant communities and hear stories of movers and shakers, protests, disasters, and social scandals. Explore the oasis of Meridian Hill Park, visit the site of a former castle, learn about the “Empress of 16th Street,” and see what used to be the largest fire station in the city.

THREE OPTIONS: Sat., Oct. 7, 1–3 p.m. (CODE 1CS-A12); Fri., Oct. 13, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CS-B12); Sun., Oct. 15, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CS-C12); detailed tour information on website; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Autumn Wonder and Wine

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

Spend a day on a journey into the enchanting embrace of autumn at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, a 1,700-acre natural and cultural preserve along the Patuxent River less than 25 miles outside of Washington, D.C.

Join Liana Vitali, naturalist and educator at Jug Bay, and park volunteers to explore the preserve and learn about the unique ecology of the area against a background of rich fall colors. Embark on a hike covering a portion of the 19 miles of trails—and be sure to bring your binoculars, because along the way you’ll spot some of the sanctuary’s nearly 300 species of birds, including native osprey and waterfowl. Glide through the expansive golden marsh on a pontoon boat. Savor the essence of the area with a wine tasting featuring selections from a local vineyard. A catered lunch is included.

Sat., Oct. 14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1CD-023; Members $115; Nonmembers $165 NOTE: Tour participants meet on site; detailed tour information on website

Chesapeake History and Heritage

Exploring Historic St. Mary’s County

Established in 1637, St. Mary’s County, Maryland, became the first permanent settlement in the state and home to the first state capital. It is also where Lord Baltimore provided religious freedom for any Christian sect—a first of its kind in the New World. Join Chesapeake historian Hayden Mathews for a day in St. Mary’s County exploring its storied history. Begin with a visit to Sotterley Plantation on the Patuxent River for insight into the land, lives, and labor that shaped this corner of the region from the 18th through 20th centuries. After lunch, visit Historic St. Mary’s City with Peter Friesen, education director for the city’s historic commission. The city was the original state capital and now is part living history museum and part archeological treasure trove. Stops include the Brick Chapel, constructed in 1667 and a symbol of religious freedom, and the St. John’s Site Museum, where you get to look into the fully open excavated site of the St. John’s house, built in 1638. Afterward, take time to explore on your own. A box lunch is included.

Fri., Oct. 20, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD024; Members $160; Nonmembers $210

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

Nature Hike in the Potomac Gorge at Carderock, Maryland

Join author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley for an autumn nature hike in the scenic Potomac Gorge at Carderock, Maryland, and learn how to forest bathe. Hike on the Billy Goat Trail, section C, starting at the Carderock climbing area. The trail offers dramatic river vistas and passes through a mature forest of oaks, hickories, maples, beeches, black walnuts, and sycamores.

Stop along the route to admire trees with their autumn foliage and fruit, notice birds and other wildlife, and see wildflowers. Midway in the walk, enjoy a few moments of forest bathing, quietly appreciating the splendor of the surroundings. The hike returns to the Carderock climbing area parking lot on the C&O Canal towpath.

THREE OPTIONS: Tues., Oct. 24 (CODE 1CS-A13); Wed., Oct. 25 (CODE 1CS-B13); Thurs., Oct. 26 (CODE 1CS-C13); 9 a.m.–12 p.m.; Members $55; Nonmembers $75

The First Battle of Manassas

Led by inexperienced commanders and fought by unseasoned troops, the First Battle of Manassas quickly demonstrated that the road to Richmond would be long and hard. Career U.S. Air Force intelligence officer Marc Thompson leads a visit to the site of this epic Civil War battle.

The tour begins with a visit to the Stone Bridge, where Union forces made initial contact with Confederate units on July 21. It continues to Sudley Church, near the ford on Bull Run where other Federal troops tried to outflank the same Confederates engaged at the Stone Bridge. The morning concludes with visits to Matthews Hill and the Stone House, where the Confederates attempted to buy enough time for reinforcements to join them in blunting the Federal advance.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, the tour resumes with a stop at Henry Hill, where participants walk the portion of the battlefield on which Confederate Gen. Thomas J. Jackson earned the nickname “Stonewall.” Participants also visit the Robinson Farm, site of heavy fighting during the early afternoon of July 21; the location of the Henry House, where 85-year-old Judith Carter Henry suffered fatal injuries, making her the first civilian casualty of the conflict; and other sites where fighting took place. The tour concludes with a stop at Chinn Ridge, the location of the Federals’ final attempt to defeat rebel forces before retreating to Washington, D.C.

Sat., Oct. 28, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; CODE 1CD-025; by bus; detailed tour information on website; Members $140; Nonmembers $190

Special Offer: All participants who register for this tour receive a complimentary ticket to the streaming program The First Battle of Manassas and the Experience of War on Oct. 5 (see page 3 for program details).

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

Walking Tour

Buried Secrets

Congressional Cemetery’s Stories of Love, Tragedy, and Revenge

Congressional Cemetery is home to the remains of more than 65,000 people, including famous Americans such as John Phillip Sousa and J. Edgar Hoover. But many lesser-known figures who are buried there—from former slaves to one of the first gay veterans to challenge military policy—left behind powerful stories. Author and journalist Chuck Raasch explores some of those intriguing legacies and lessons during a walk through the cemetery.

For instance, Raasch tells the stories of the funeral procession for 21 women interred at Congressional Cemetery in which Abraham Lincoln was a mere participant and the toppled headstone of a Washington socialite who disowned her daughter for marrying a Native American man on the Dakota frontier.

THREE OPTIONS: Fri., Nov. 3, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CS-A14); Sun., Nov. 5, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CS-B14); Sun., Nov. 5, 1:30–3:30 p.m. (CODE 1CS-C14); detailed tour information on website; Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Related program: Forgotten Women of Arlington National Cemetery (see p. 9)

Behind the Curtain

A Day with DC-area Theater Makers

Ever wondered who’s behind the productions you’ve enjoyed in Washington-area theaters? Join local guide Lynn O’Connell for a unique exploration of the vibrant local theater scene as you spend a day with leaders at five notable companies.

Meet Studio Theatre’s Danilo Gambini; Ryan Rilette of Round House Theatre; Alex Levy of 1st Stage Tysons; Washington Stage Guild’s Bill Largess; and Allison Arkell Stockman and Anderson Wells of Constellation Theatre Company.

Along the way, learn about each company’s creative profile and upcoming season, step onto a set, sit in on a rehearsal, and discover how directors shape the productions mounted on local stages.

Sat., Nov. 4, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; CODE 1CD-027; by bus; detailed tour information on website; Members $155; Nonmembers $205 Related in-person program: DC Theater Preview 2023–24 (see p. 17)

Walking Tour

A Stroll Through Georgetown

Established 50 years before Washington, D.C., Georgetown got its start as a gritty port city on the banks of the Potomac River. Despite its modest beginnings, Georgetown eventually came to have some of the most expensive and desirable property in the District. Explore the highlights and secrets of one of D.C.’s most exclusive neighborhoods, home to palatial mansions, elegant cemeteries, stately churches, and a world-class university. Join Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, for a walk through the neighborhood.

THREE OPTIONS: Sat., Nov. 4, 1–3:30 p.m. (CODE 1CS-A15); Sat., Nov. 11, 1–3:30 p.m. (CODE 1CS-B15); Fri., Nov. 17, 2–4:30 p.m. (CODE 1CS-C15); Members $50; Nonmembers $60

Fall Birding at Bombay Hook

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge on Delaware Bay is noted for attracting an incredible array of migratory birds, especially shorebirds. Because of its location, several shorebird species rely on horseshoe crab eggs to fuel their migration to their breeding grounds in the North.

In the fall, some of these species are still present, in addition to others such as the Dunlin, Marbled Godwit, American Avocet, Black-bellied Plover, and even rare birds such as the Hudsonian Godwit and European vagrants. There are also large numbers of ducks, including the Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, and American Black Duck. Raptors such as the Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, and even the Peregrine Falcon can be observed this time of year.

Grab your binoculars and spotting scope if you have one, and spend a day with naturalist Matt Felperin at Bombay Hook, perfectly timed for great viewing, to seek out this fascinating array of avian wildlife. Enjoy a 3-course lunch at a local restaurant and some unscheduled time in the afternoon to explore any recent bird sightings at the time of the tour.

Sat., Nov. 4, 6 a.m.–6 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1ND-007; Members $195; Nonmembers $245

A Struggle for Equality Free African Americans in Post-Revolutionary Philadelphia

In the late 18th century, Philadelphia was home to nearly 2,000 free African Americans. After Pennsylvania passed America’s first gradual abolition act in 1780, the City of Brotherly Love became a city of hope for free Black people, attracting many Black migrants. Join historian Richard Bell to trace the struggles for equality African Americans faced in post-revolutionary Philadelphia.

Starting at the President’s House on Independence Mall, the former site of the 3-story brick mansion where Presidents Washington and Adams lived and worked, learn the story of Washington’s enslaved Africans and their struggle for equal rights. Travel across the Mall to Christ Church Burial Ground for a guided tour and hear of the frontline aid work performed by African Americans during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic.

After lunch at a local restaurant, step into the archives of the Library Company of Philadelphia. The librarians showcase materials on how Black leaders used newspapers and pamphlets to fight racism and demand the full rights of citizenship. Conclude the day with a visit to the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas to explore the archives there and learn about the role houses of worship played in the fight for Black equality in Philadelphia.

Sat., Nov. 11, 7:15 a.m.–8 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-026; Members $210; Nonmembers $260

Department Stores: A Feminine Oasis

“All women love shopping”—a cliché if there ever was one. Shopping in the mid 20th century was a way for women of all social classes to find a modicum of freedom in a male-dominated world as they casually socialized in chance meetings and exercised the power of economics often unavailable in their regimented day-to-day lives.

In Washington, D.C., many of the largest department stores were situated between the White House and the Capitol. Step into the past with your guide from A Tour of Her Own as you stroll between Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, and Metro Center, stopping along the way to hear stories of the iconic buildings of yesteryear like those housing Hecht’s and Garfinkel’s department stores and the stores’ role in advancing consumerism and civil rights. Explore the way a simple trip to the store was, in fact, so much more.

THREE OPTIONS: Sat., Dec. 2, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CW-A16); Sat., Dec. 9, 2–4 p.m. (CODE 1CW-B16); Sun., Dec. 10, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (CODE 1CW-C16); Members $45; Nonmembers $55

Magical Cape May

For over 200 years, Cape May, New Jersey, has welcomed travelers to its beachfront, including the elite of New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. But Cape May isn’t just a summer destination: During the winter season, this shore town transforms into a storybook holiday town. A two-day tour offers the opportunity to experience historic Cape May during a magical time of year. Upon arriving in Cape May, board the trolley for a guided tour of the historic district, featuring a variety of Victorian architectural styles. Local guides discuss the importance of preservation and Cape May’s status as a National Historic Landmark site. Stop off at the Emlen Physick Estate, festooned in authentic Victorian holiday decorations. Built in 1879, the 18-room mansion is one of the best examples of Victorian Stick style in the country.

After lunch at the Washington Inn, constructed in 1846, spend time on the Washington Street Mall before checking into Congress Hall, where four 19th-century presidents stayed. Dinner is followed by a talk on Christmas traditions of the Victorian era and an evening trolley ride through the town to enjoy the holiday lights and decorations.

The next morning, after breakfast at the hotel, visit Cape May Point at the tip of the peninsula to see the World War II lookout tower and 1859 Cape May lighthouse, which boasts breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. Your guide discusses the history and restoration of both sites. Stop off for a traditional shore meal at the Lobster House before your last site, Historic Cold Spring Village, a living 19th-century historic district, then return to Washington, D.C.

Wed., Dec. 13, 7 a.m.–Thurs., Dec. 14, 8 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-CMH; Members $665; Nonmembers $815

Bus Tour

Radio City Music Hall

Front and Center for the Christmas Spectacular

There’s no more iconic holiday performance in New York than Radio City Music Hall’s famed Christmas Spectacular. And there’s no better way to see the precision dancing of the Rockettes than from prime orchestra seats in the fabulous Art Deco theater where the show has been a tradition since 1933.

Before the theatrical magic begins at a matinee performance, get a special behind-the-scenes VIP tour of the music hall, covering the stunning 1930s interiors and art, the Great Stage, Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, and an opportunity to meet a Rockette along the way.

Wed., Dec. 13, 6:45 a.m.–11 p.m.; by bus; CODE 1ND-006; detailed tour information on website; Members $325; Nonmembers $375

Special Offer: All participants who register for this program by Oct. 13 receive a complimentary ticket for the streaming Broadway’s Backstory program on Oct. 16 (see page 21)

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit An Artful Weekend in New York MoMA, the Neue Galerie, and the Guggenheim

It’s the perfect post-holiday treat for yourself: an art-filled weekend escape to Manhattan that gives you plenty of time to take in several of the most intriguing exhibitions at three cultural powerhouses—and a night on the town to enjoy as you like.

Art historian Ursula Rehn Wolfman leads the visit, which highlights early 20thcentury Modernist artists and their works. Included is a private tour before opening hours of the Neue Galerie New York’s special exhibition “Max Beckmann: The Formative Years, 1915-1925.” This exhibition features approximately 100 works by the artist and focuses on the profound shift that occurred in Beckmann’s work during a crucial decade.

The spotlight is on Pablo Picasso at the Museum of Modern Art. “Picasso in Fontainebleau” showcases works the artist produced while summering in Fontainebleau, France. Among his most astonishing creations were Three Women at the Spring and Three Musicians, two very different 6-foot-high canvases that he painted side by side within weeks. The exhibition puts these two monumental paintings side by side again and highlights other works from the artist’s pivotal three-month stay, complemented by rarely seen photographs plus archival documents.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum offers a guided look at the Thannhauser Collection, built by collector and art dealer Justin K. Thannhauser (1892–1976). Thannhauser’s gifts brought the Guggenheim works by artists such as Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, Vincent van Gogh, and Picasso. The collection provides an important survey of late 19th- and early 20th-century Modernism.

Participants stay at the Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square in the heart of the Theater District. The location is perfect for visiting the TKTS booth for discount tickets to a show on Sunday evening, which is free time for participants. An early three-course supper is included before you set off on Monday.

Sun., Jan. 14, 8 a.m.–Mon., Jan. 15, 10:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-ART; Members $605; Nonmembers $805

Related program: New York’s Art Museums: A Virtual Exploration (see p. 43)

A Gift That Goes Far To Bring You Closer

Many of our friends and family are scattered across the country, and it can be challenging to find ways to connect with them. But no matter where you live, here’s how to share a wonderful experience with people you care about. Give a Smithsonian Associates Streaming gift certificate, and who knows … you may end up attending a program or two with your best friend next door—or your far-off cousin!

For more information visit: smithsonianassociates.org/gift-certificate

Expand Your World: Join Smithsonian Associates

Your Membership Support Will Shape Our Future

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

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

Please, consider expanding your world by becoming part of ours at:

SmithsonianAssociates.org/levels

Membership Levels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HELPFUL I NFORMATION

Program

Courses, Performances, and Lectures—Multi-Session

Seminars—Single Session

HELPFUL I NFORMATION

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

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

HELPFUL I NFORMATION

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

Studio Arts

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.

NOTICE TO OUR PATRONS:

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

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

SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

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

TICKETS

Online .......................SmithsonianAssociates.org

CONTACT US

Email CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org

Mail Smithsonian Associates, P.O. Box 23293, Washington, D.C. 20026-3293

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

CREDIT TO YOUR SM ITHSON IAN ASSOCIATES ACCOUNT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MEMBER NUMBER

Viewing Smithsonian Associates Online programs on Zoom

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

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

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

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

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