Exhibitions in Washington, D.C.

The GWU Museum and The Textile Museum · The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

Generations D.C.

Until Nov 7

Last weeks

Generations D.C. is an exhibition at The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum that offers new perspectives on familiar sites in Washington, D.C., in honor of the United States' 250th birthday. It presents historical images alongside the stories of laborers, activists, and artists across generations who have shaped the capital city. The exhibition delves into lesser-known histories embedded within iconic locations such as the Smithsonian Castle and the Washington Monument. It highlights individuals and communities who have transformed these places over time. Stories reveal people and moments often omitted from dominant historical narratives. For instance, at the White Ho

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The GWU Museum and The Textile Museum · The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

Revolutionary Echoes in Washington

Until Nov 7

Last weeks

This exhibition explores how the ideals of American independence resonated in Washington D.C. during its first century. It features rare letters, maps, and illustrations from the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection. The display traces the impact of the Declaration of Independence from the revolutionary era through the Civil War and up to the nation's 1876 centennial. A hand-colored reproduction of the Declaration shows its circulation among East Coast Americans. Early maps of the District and letters about city planning demonstrate how the Declaration's principles were integrated into the capital's physical and political structure. The exhibition also addresses the inherent contradicti

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The Phillips Collection

Creative Aging

Community Exhibition

Aug 15 to Nov 8

Last weeks

This community exhibition, titled Creative Aging, showcases artworks created by older adults living with memory loss. It is inspired by the founder's belief in art's ability to bring joy and enhance life, reflecting the museum's dedication to art, wellness, and continuous learning. The program has a 13-year history of fostering connections through close observation, discussion, and art creation. Recent expansions have included care partners and the wider community through the Reframing Care initiative. Sessions begin in the galleries, encouraging participants to share observations, explore emotions, and connect with art. These dialogues extend into hands-on artmaking, leading to the pieces d

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Smithsonian American Art Museum

Shahzia Sikander: The Last Post

Jul 3, 2025 to Nov 8

Free Last weeks

Shahzia Sikander's video artwork, The Last Post (2010), critically examines the legacy of British colonialism in Asia. It employs her distinctive method of integrating Indo-Persian miniature painting traditions with a modern viewpoint. The exhibition features a European gentleman in a red waistcoat, symbolizing British imperial power, at its center. Indian court architecture, Chinese cut-paper silhouettes, and a watercolor map of South Asia dynamically dissolve and reform around him. The artist based this figure on late eighteenth-century miniature paintings that depicted British East India Company officials. Sikander's faceless "Company man" and his mutable environment allude to the corpora

Shahzia Sikander

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National Museum of Asian Art · East Building | Gallery 28

Saodat Ismailova: Melted into the Sun

Jun 13 to Nov 29

This exhibition presents the first major solo museum exhibition in the United States by film and installation artist Saodat Ismailova. The works highlight her deep engagement with Central Asia's traditions, oral histories, and diverse landscapes. Ismailova's camera captures scenes ranging from the Amu Darya River banks to ancient ruins and Soviet-era power stations. Her artistic practice is informed by ancient Iranian and Islamic philosophies, as well as her own family narratives, grounding her explorations of Central Asia's complex modern history. The exhibition also features nineteenth-century Uzbek ikats from the museum's collection, displayed alongside Ismailova's works to evoke a strong

Saodat Ismailova

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The GWU Museum and The Textile Museum · The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

American Coverlets

Until Dec 5

This exhibition showcases three American coverlets, a distinctive type of bedcover unique to the United States. These pieces highlight the crucial role weaving skills played for early immigrants, providing them with an economic foothold in their new homeland. The display features coverlets created by immigrant weavers who mastered new technologies to express their personal aesthetics and artistic innovation. Introduced to the U.S. in the 1820s, the French Jacquard loom, with its automated weaving via punched cards, revolutionized design possibilities. European immigrant weavers utilized this technology to produce richly patterned coverlets. These examples, made in the mid-19th century, incor

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National Gallery of Art · East Building Concourse, Galleries

American Icon

The US Flag in Art

Jun 6 to Dec 6

Free

This exhibition, "American Icon: The US Flag in Art," explores the multifaceted symbolism of the American flag as depicted in art across different eras. It showcases approximately 30 artworks created from the late 19th century to the present day, illustrating the flag's evolution in meaning and its role in national identity, protest, and artistic expression. The installation traces the flag's journey through various cultural movements and historical moments, revealing how artists have interpreted its significance. Visitors will encounter a diverse range of works, including paintings, prints, and photographs, by prominent artists such as Gordon Parks, Childe Hassam, Dorothea Lange, Jasper Joh

Jasper Johns · Childe Hassam · Dorothea Lange · Gordon Parks · Faith Ringgold · Corita Kent

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National Gallery of Art · West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G22

Sky Hopinka: Kicking the Clouds

Apr 11 to Dec 6

Free

This exhibition showcases the multimedia work of Sky Hopinka, an artist from the Ho-Chunk Nation and Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. Through photographs, films, and poems, Hopinka explores the profound connections between family, language, place, and Indigenous lived experiences. The exhibition delves into the powerful relationship between language and landscape, reflecting personal memories and shared Native histories. The title piece, "Kicking the Clouds" (2021), is a 15-minute film inspired by a rare audio recording of the artist's grandmother. Visitors will see photographs that have been etched with Hopinka's own poems, alongside a calligram where words are arranged to form a symbolic

Sky Hopinka

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The GWU Museum and The Textile Museum · The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

Weaving an Empire: Textiles of the Inka World

Until Dec 23

This exhibition, 'Weaving an Empire: Textiles of the Inka World,' explores the vast Inka Empire, which in the 15th century rapidly expanded across western South America. The display features rarely exhibited garments from diverse communities living under Inka rule. These textiles demonstrate how people dressed to signify their allegiance to the empire while also maintaining their own local styles and traditions. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and sophisticated textile production of the Inka civilization. Visitors will see a variety of garments that served both functional and symbolic purposes. The textiles highlight the intricate weaving techniques and the sy

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National Gallery of Art · East Building Ground Level, Library Atrium

In the Library: Reimagining America by Design

Aug 31 to Dec 31

Free

This exhibition, "In the Library: Reimagining America by Design," showcases the results of a semester-long collaboration between students from George Washington University's Corcoran School for the Arts & Design and the National Gallery of Art. The project centered on the Great Depression-era Index of American Design, a collection of 18,257 watercolor works by approximately 1,000 artists. This index aimed to preserve a national aesthetic for the United States by documenting American folk and decorative arts objects created from the colonial period up to 1900. The exhibition is presented in two parts. The first part, "Research & Process," running from August 31 to October 30, offers a behind-

Jet Inglis · Gabi Maldonado · Gigi Pilla · Abby Turner · Sophia Wegmann-Gatarz · Polyxeni Ziazia

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The Kreeger Museum

Out of Bounds

Oct 15 to Dec 31

The Kreeger Museum, in collaboration with Hamiltonian Artists, presents 'Out of Bounds,' an exhibition featuring the work of seven Hamiltonian Artists Alumni. These artists, Selin Balci, Larry W. Cook, Joyce Yu-Jean Lee, Christie Neptune, Allison Spence, Kyle Tata, and Jing (Ellen) Xu, explore the concept of boundaries through their diverse practices. Working across painting, photography, sculpture, video, and installation, they question, cross, and redraw established limits. The exhibition title, 'Out of Bounds,' borrowed from sports terminology, figuratively refers to actions, ideas, or behaviors that defy accepted rules or expectations. The alumni's work is presented alongside selected co

Selin Balci · Larry W. Cook · Joyce Yu-Jean Lee · Christie Neptune · Allison Spence · Kyle Tata

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Museum of the Bible · Floor 1

The Megiddo Mosaic: Foundations of Faith

Jul 25, 2025 to Dec 31

Free

This exhibition showcases the Megiddo Mosaic, a significant archaeological discovery from 2005. The mosaic floor features three inscriptions that have reshaped the understanding of early Christian history. These inscriptions indicate that the floor and its central table were funded by local Christians, including a Roman centurion and a figure identified as 'the God-lover.' The mosaic is notable for containing the earliest known inscriptions that identify Jesus Christ as God. It is considered the oldest identified site dedicated specifically for Christian worship. Museum of the Bible, in collaboration with the Israel Antiquities Authority, presents this groundbreaking mosaic in an interactive

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National Gallery of Art · West Building Main Floor, Gallery M11

Back and Forth

Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Apr 26, 2025 to Jan 3, 2027

Free

This exhibition, titled "Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne," explores the interconnectedness of art across centuries and cultures. It highlights how artists engage with art history, becoming part of its ongoing narrative. The exhibition features four paintings that reveal unexpected visual similarities and thematic links between artists from different eras. Contemporary artist Rozeal.'s work is juxtaposed with historical masterpieces by Titian and Paul Cezanne. The show argues that art history is not a linear progression but a dynamic process of remixing and reinterpretation. Visitors will see how Rozeal.'s "afro.died, T." relates to Titian's "Venus with a Mirror." The exhibition also

Rozeal. · Titian · Cezanne

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Smithsonian American Art Museum · Renwick Gallery

Nick Cave: Mammoth

Feb 13 to Jan 3, 2027

Free

Nick Cave's "Mammoth" exhibition transforms the museum's galleries into an immersive environment. Visitors are invited to walk among fantastical remains of ancient creatures, envisioning a world animated by the past and imagination. Cave, known for his "Soundsuits" and interest in the intersections of history and identity, explores his family history in rural Missouri and his relationship with the landscape. The exhibition features crafted hides and bones of mammoths, a video projection of the animals brought to life, and hundreds of transformed found objects. These objects, ranging from vintage tools to his grandmother's thimble collection, are presented like paleontological specimens on a

Nick Cave

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National Museum of Women in the Arts · 2nd floor

Routed West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California

Sep 18 to Jan 17, 2027

This exhibition traces the flow and flourishing of quilts within the context of the Second Great Migration, a significant movement of African Americans from the rural South to cities in the North and West between 1940 and 1970. Many migrants brought quilts to California, carrying them for warmth, protection, and as containers for ancestral memory and emblems of cultural survival. The exhibition features nearly 80 artworks organized thematically, showcasing kaleidoscopic patterns, colors, and forms. It presents a history of art through the joyful power of quilts in Black life. The displayed quilts highlight artistic approaches such as repurposing work clothes, improvisational piecing, pattern

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National Museum of Asian Art · East Building | Galleries 23 and 24

From the Louvre: Masterpieces of Islamic Art

Sep 26 to Jan 18, 2027

This exhibition presents an exceptional selection of Islamic art from the Louvre Museum in Paris, traveling to the United States for the first time. It showcases a diverse range of objects created between the seventh and nineteenth centuries across a vast geographic area from Spain to India. Visitors will encounter stunning technical quality and artistic refinement in masterpieces such as a Syrian-Egyptian basin inlaid with silver figures, an Andalusian bronze lion, and a jeweled portrait of a Persian king. The exhibition also explores the fascinating journeys of these twenty-six works from their origins to the Louvre. These objects were frequently exchanged to forge alliances, gaining new p

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The Phillips Collection

Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea

Special Exhibition

Oct 24 to Jan 24, 2027

This exhibition explores the profound friendship and artistic dialogue between Milton Avery, Adolph Gottlieb, and Mark Rothko. It highlights the inspiration they found during summers spent in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and other coastal locations. The exhibition features approximately 90 works, including paintings, drawings, and watercolors, created between the 1920s and the mid-1960s. For the first time, it delves deeply into the artistic exchanges, shared experiences, and mutual support among these three influential American artists. Many of the showcased works have never been publicly displayed before. The exhibition is organized by the Cape Ann Museum in partnership with The Phillips Col

Milton Avery · Adolph Gottlieb · Mark Rothko

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National Gallery of Art · West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G39

Nocturnes

Jul 23 to Jan 31, 2027

Free

This exhibition, titled "Nocturnes," explores the theme of the night through the lens of eight contemporary photographers. It delves into how artists capture the unique atmosphere of nighttime, which can evoke feelings ranging from tranquility to mystery and unease. The exhibition showcases a modern, cinematic approach to creating art inspired by the night. Visitors will encounter a diverse range of photographic works that interpret the nocturnal world. The display is enhanced by a specially commissioned sonic environment and lighting, creating an immersive installation. This installation aims to deepen the visitor's experience of our lives after dark. The exhibition encourages personal refl

Larry Sultan · Yokomizo Shizuka · Guadalupe Rosales · Todd Hido · Angela Strassheim · Lewis Baltz

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National Museum of Women in the Arts · MaryRoss Taylor Galleries, 4th floor

Marlo Pascual: Making Something Out of Something

Jul 24 to Feb 28, 2027

This exhibition showcases the transformative art of Marlo Pascual, an artist who blurred the lines between photography and sculpture. Pascual's work takes familiar imagery, often sourced from thrift stores and online, and renders it uncanny through enlargement, fragmentation, and obfuscation. Her techniques deliberately upend viewer expectations, sometimes with humorous results, but often with an implied discomfort. This discomfort arises from abrupt cropping of limbs, obscured faces, or the physical destruction of images through shattering, tearing, or folding. Pascual's interventions exaggerated the artifice inherent in these found images. She frequently encased enlarged photographs in thi

Marlo Pascual

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Smithsonian American Art Museum

Much Here Is Beautiful: Photography Surveys of the U.S. Bicentennial

Sep 18 to Apr 18, 2027

Free

This exhibition showcases 225 photographs from surveys commissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) around the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial. These surveys aimed to create a new portrait of the nation during a significant historical period, inspired by earlier federal photography projects like the Farm Security Administration. The NEA funded over 70 projects, resulting in thousands of images by more than 200 photographers. The exhibition, titled "Much Here Is Beautiful" after a line from Robert Hayden's poem "American Journal," places these Bicentennial images within the broader context of federal survey photography dating back to the 19th century. The photographs capture an expansive

Ted Wathen · William Bell · Joe Deal · Linda Eber · Terry Evans · Wendy Ewald

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National Museum of Women in the Arts · Teresa Lozano Long Gallery, ground floor

Beverly Pepper: Land Art and Monumental Sculptures

Oct 23 to Apr 25, 2027

This exhibition celebrates Beverly Pepper, an artist renowned for her pioneering work in large-scale sculpture over a career spanning more than 70 years. Pepper fearlessly engaged with materials like iron, steel, and earth, which were traditionally dominated by male artists. The show at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) will feature several sculptures from her gallery-scale works, including pieces from NMWA's own collection. Visitors will also see maquettes, which are scale models of her ambitious large-scale projects. A new film focusing on Pepper's monumental works will offer further insight into her practice. Pepper consistently explored the intrinsic connection between her

Beverly Pepper

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Folger Shakespeare Library · Stuart and Mimi Rose Rare Book and Manuscript Exhibition Hall

To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare

Oct 16 to May 2, 2027

Free

This exhibition, 'To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare,' focuses on the significant and often overlooked contributions of Black women to Shakespearean performance and engagement. It highlights how these women have utilized Shakespeare's language, narratives, and characters to express their humanity, creativity, and power throughout history. The exhibition delves into the historical presence of Black women in early modern Europe and their representation in art and literature, including Shakespeare's own works, with Sonnet 130 serving as inspiration for the exhibition's title. Featuring nearly 100 objects, the exhibition includes photographs, playbills, posters, books, diaries, illus

Wenceslaus Hollar · Valente-Van Steen · Kennedi Carter · Ellie Kurttz · RSC

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National Archives Museum · Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery

Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration

Apr 25 to Jul 5, 2027

Free

This exhibition, 'Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration,' commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776. It delves into the compelling narrative behind this foundational American document and highlights the 56 signatories who risked their lives for the assertion that the colonies should be Free and Independent States. The exhibition explores the birth of the United States of America from these colonies. Visitors will learn about the preservation and protection of the original Declaration of Independence, a national treasure housed at the National Archives. The core message of the exhibition revolves around the revolutionary id

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National Museum of Asian Art · West Building | Gallery 8

A Museum in the Making

Jun 27 to Aug 1, 2027

This exhibition celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States by exploring the innovative approach to art and design pioneered by Charles Lang Freer, the founder of the National Museum of Asian Art. Freer transformed his Detroit home into a groundbreaking space for displaying art, a concept that continues to influence the museum's galleries today. The exhibition delves into the works of prominent American painters such as James McNeill Whistler, Dwight William Tryon, and Thomas Wilmer Dewing. Visitors can also discover exquisite Pewabic pottery from Michigan, alongside ceramics from China, Japan, and Syria. The exhibition highlights the contributions of key figures in the American Ar

James McNeill Whistler · Dwight William Tryon · Thomas Wilmer Dewing · Stanford White · Mary Chase Perry Stratton

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National Gallery of Art · East Building Mezzanine, Gallery E214

Homelands

Jun 27 to Aug 1, 2027

Free

This exhibition explores the multifaceted concept of "homeland" through the lens of modern and contemporary artists. It features twenty works that delve into how individuals and communities forge connections to place, particularly when shaped by movement, memory, and historical change. The artists draw upon their personal experiences and broader United States history to examine the pressures that lead to migration and the enduring links to ancestral or familial origins. Through a collection of individual and collective narratives, the exhibition illuminates significant histories and events within the US and internationally. Visitors will encounter diverse perspectives on belonging and displa

Kay WalkingStick · Do Ho Suh · Hung Liu · G. Peter Jemison

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Museum of the Bible

Blessed Stanley Rother: Ordinary Man, Extraordinary Shepherd

Oct 14 to Oct 1, 2027

This exhibition at the Museum of the Bible focuses on the life of Blessed Stanley Rother. He was a Catholic priest from Oklahoma who dedicated his life to missionary work in Guatemala. Rother played a crucial role in translating the New Testament into the Tz'utujil language, a significant contribution to the local community. His commitment to his work led to his martyrdom. The exhibition explores his journey from an ordinary man to an extraordinary shepherd. Visitors will learn about his personal story and his profound impact on the people he served. The exhibition is part of a series at the museum that highlights personal narratives. It aims to connect visitors with the faith and dedicatio

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National Museum of Women in the Arts · Great Hall, Mezzanine, 3rd floor

Remix: The Collection

Oct 21, 2023 to Jan 16, 2028

Remix: The Collection is an exhibition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts that challenges traditional art hierarchies. It presents a diverse array of works from six continents and six centuries, highlighting the expansive vision of women artists. The exhibition is organized into thematic sections, each exploring different aspects of artistic expression and the experiences of women. These sections include 'Photo Credit,' showcasing pioneers and innovators in photography; 'Seeing Red,' which examines the use of the color red and its varied meanings; and 'Objectified,' featuring still lifes and related objects by women artists. 'Home, Maker' delves into women's evolving roles in domest

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith · Barbara Hepworth · Niki de Saint Phalle · Lavinia Fontana · Loïs Mailou Jones

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National Museum of Asian Art · Freer Plaza

Do Ho Suh: Public Figures

Apr 27, 2024 to Apr 29, 2029

This exhibition features a special commission by internationally recognized artist Do Ho Suh, titled Public Figures. The work is installed in front of the National Museum of Asian Art, facing the National Mall in Washington, DC. This sculpture marks the first new outdoor installation at the Freer Gallery of Art in over three decades. Suh, who lives and works between South Korea and the West, explores themes of place, memory, and the tension between individual and community identity. Public Figures presents a plinth for a monument, but instead of honoring an individual, it is a massive weight supported by numerous small figures in motion. The sculpture, placed among significant national insti

Do Ho Suh

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National Gallery of Art · West Building, Main Floor

Celebrating American Art

From Mar 1

Free

This exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the art of the United States, reimagining the National Gallery's American art galleries. It showcases iconic works from the colonial era through the 20th century, inviting visitors to explore the diverse narratives of American artists. Key pieces include John Singleton Copley's dramatic "Watson and the Shark," Gilbert Stuart's definitive portrait of "George Washington," and Thomas Cole's allegorical series "The Voyage of Life." The exhibition also features significant sculptures such as Hiram Powers' "The Greek Slave" and Bessie Potter Vonnoh's "Day Dreams." Through newly presented texts, interactive digital tools, and engaging hands-on activitie

John Singleton Copley · Gilbert Stuart · Thomas Cole · Hiram Powers · Bessie Potter Vonnoh · Charles Willson Peale

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Folger Shakespeare Library · Stuart and Mimi Rose Rare Book and Manuscript Exhibition Hall

On View: Mandy Cano Villalobos

From Feb 20

Free

Mandy Cano Villalobos, a self-dubbed "cultural scrapper," creates mixed-media textiles that explore themes of home, belonging, and cultural identity. Her work utilizes discarded materials such as broken jewelry, orphaned toys, and stained clothing. These materials are inspired by and re-create the luxurious designs of embroidered bindings found in the Folger's collection. Cano Villalobos juxtaposes these opulent designs with the relics of modern capitalist excess. This contrast draws attention to the enduring legacies of injustice and environmental damage stemming from early modern colonization and empire building. The artist's practice is interdisciplinary, encompassing installation, two-di

Mandy Cano Villalobos

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National Museum of African American History and Culture · Level 4 (L4), The Rhimes Family Foundation Visual Arts Gallery

Reset: Abstraction Embodied in Design

From Jun 12

This exhibition, 'Reset: Abstraction Embodied in Design,' explores how designers utilize abstraction in furniture, rugs, and lighting. It posits that these designs offer a way to 'reset' our perspectives, emotions, and physical states, transforming everyday environments into spaces for reflection and renewal. The exhibition showcases seating that is both functional and experimental in its use of form, line, gesture, and space. Geometric patterns and blocks of color found in rugs and lamps highlight abstraction in surface design and its connection to African textiles. Many designers draw inspiration from across the African diaspora, recognizing the foundational role of traditional African art

Hadiya Williams · Folayemi Wilson · Little Wing Lee · Jomo Tariku · Ini Archibong · Mark Grattan

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National Museum of African American History and Culture · Level 4 (L4), The Rhimes Family Foundation Visual Arts Gallery

Revelation

A Journey into Abstraction

From Jun 12

Revelation: A Journey into Abstraction explores the profound range and depth of abstract art created by African American artists from the mid-20th century to the present. The exhibition reintroduces key works from the museum's collection and debuts new acquisitions, offering fresh context and perspectives. Organized into five thematic sections—Natural World Refracted, The Shape of Sound, Colored Surfaces, Dreams Deferred, and Transcendent Visions—it highlights abstraction's use as a formalist vehicle for shape, color, and form. It also showcases abstraction as a language of cultural memory, protest, identity, and transformation. The works reflect abstraction’s power to engender thought and a

Mary Lovelace O’Neal · Ed Clark · Al Loving · Theaster Gates · Mildred Thompson · William T. Williams

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National Gallery of Art · West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G30

Remember Me

Picturing African Americans in Early Photography

Nov 7 to Mar 14, 2027

Free

This exhibition explores the powerful stories of identity, resilience, and self-representation through early photographs of and by African Americans. It features approximately 70 works from the National Gallery of Art's collection, many of which are being shown for the first time. The exhibition reveals how Black Americans utilized photography to define themselves and their communities during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It showcases images that illuminate the complexities of race, freedom, and agency in the periods before, during, and after the Civil War. The display also highlights Black entrepreneurship and the pursuit of equality through striking photographs by pioneering Black art

James Presley Ball · James Van Der Zee

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Smithsonian American Art Museum · Renwick Gallery

Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery

From Nov 13

Free

This exhibition at the Renwick Gallery explores the practice of making things by hand, showcasing 53 works from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection. It delves into the meaning and relevance of craft in American culture, a theme the Renwick Gallery has investigated since its opening in 1972. The presentation includes several new acquisitions made possible by the initiative Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, organized by Craft in America. These new acquisitions feature significant pieces by artists such as Roberto Benavidez, Angela Ellsworth, Bill Harris (Catawba Nation), Aya Oki, Ato Ribeiro, Diego Romero, and Jan Yager. The artworks on display are intended to spark conne

Jan Yager · Roberto Benavidez · Angela Ellsworth · Bill Harris · Aya Oki · Ato Ribeiro

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National Gallery of Art · West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G23

Tinker Tinker

Printmakers at Work

Dec 19 to Jun 13, 2027

Free

This exhibition, "Tinker Tinker: Printmakers at Work," delves into the dynamic and iterative nature of printmaking. It showcases over 120 prints spanning 500 years from the National Gallery's collection. The exhibition highlights how artists experiment, revise, and problem-solve through various printmaking techniques. Visitors will see striking side-by-side comparisons, including rarely seen proofs, to understand the creative thinking behind these works. The display aims to reveal the process of printmaking, where artists test ideas repeatedly and record their choices. It demonstrates how printmaking invites exploration and innovation. The exhibition features works by renowned artists such a

Pablo Picasso · Mary Cassatt · Rembrandt · Giovanni Battista Piranesi · Edvard Munch · Pierre Bonnard

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The GWU Museum and The Textile Museum · The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

Lincoln in Washington

Jan 9, 2027 to Aug 21, 2027

This exhibition, titled 'Lincoln in Washington,' explores the profound impact of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, on the United States and its capital city. It draws from the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection to present a comprehensive look at Lincoln's life and legacy. Visitors will encounter artworks and artifacts that illuminate his congressional service and presidential terms. The exhibition also delves into the circumstances surrounding his assassination and the enduring significance of his memorial. The Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies organized this display, with generous support from the Albert and Shirley Small Family Foundation. The exhibition hi

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National Gallery of Art · East Building Ground Level, Gallery E106

Women and the Index of American Design

Jan 16, 2027 to Jun 13, 2027

Free

This exhibition highlights the crucial role women played in documenting American folk, decorative, and industrial art through watercolors. Between 1935 and 1942, the US government commissioned over 18,000 watercolors as part of the Index of American Design. This project aimed to preserve a national aesthetic for the United States during the Great Depression. The National Gallery of Art now stewards this extensive collection. The installation features a selection of these watercolors created by women artists. These works capture a diverse range of subjects, including embroideries, quilt patterns, toys, weather vanes, and everyday household objects. The Index of American Design itself comprise

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The GWU Museum and The Textile Museum · The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

Yorgan: The Art of the Turkish Quilt

Feb 27, 2027 to Jun 26, 2027

This exhibition, "Yorgan: The Art of the Turkish Quilt," showcases the rich tradition of quiltmaking in Türkiye, spanning from the Ottoman Empire to the present day. It features a diverse collection of "yorgan" from the International Quilt Museum, highlighting their significance as objects of comfort, status, artistry, and tradition. The quilts on display include examples made with block-printed cottons and luxurious velvets. The exhibition explores the cultural importance and aesthetic qualities of these traditional Turkish quilts. Visitors will gain insight into the historical evolution and enduring legacy of yorgan. The presentation is organized by the International Quilt Museum at the Un

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National Gallery of Art · West Building, Main Floor

Broken: The Power of the Fragment in Sculpture

Mar 13, 2027 to Jun 27, 2027

Free

This exhibition explores the profound impact of the fragment in sculpture, demonstrating how broken pieces can tell complete stories. It takes visitors on a journey through significant historical periods and locations, showcasing sculptures that bear the marks of time, conflict, and transformation. Spanning from 2500 BCE to the present day, the exhibition features approximately 75 works. These pieces delve into themes of resilience, the loss and damage of cultural heritage, and the complex issues surrounding restitution. Many of these sculptures rarely travel, making their presentation together a unique, once-in-a-generation event. The exhibition encourages a reevaluation of the concept of '

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National Gallery of Art · West Building Main Floor, Gallery M72

Souvenirs of the Gilded Age

French Landscapes from the Corcoran Collection

Mar 13, 2027 to Jan 17, 2028

Free

This exhibition showcases French landscape paintings from the Corcoran Collection, focusing on the Barbizon school. These works were highly sought after by wealthy American collectors in the early 1900s, during the Gilded Age. The paintings depict pristine French forests and scenes of everyday rural life. They represent a precursor to Impressionism, highlighting a style that was once highly esteemed but is now less familiar to contemporary audiences. The exhibition offers a dual perspective: a glimpse into 19th-century French rural life and an insight into the collecting tastes of early 20th-century American elites. Visitors will see how these landscapes were once considered the height of ar

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

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National Gallery of Art · East Building Concourse, Galleries

Glenn Ligon: Subtext

Apr 3, 2027 to Sep 6, 2027

Free

This exhibition explores the profound impact of language on art and history through the work of Glenn Ligon, a prominent contemporary artist. For four decades, Ligon has utilized text in his paintings, prints, drawings, and neon sculptures to engage with cultural, literary, and historical references. His practice prompts viewers to contemplate the evolving nature of language and its capacity for representation. The exhibition showcases significant pieces from the National Gallery of Art's collection, alongside crucial loans and new works making their debut in Washington. A unique feature is a curated 'show-within-the-show' where Ligon presents nearly 20 works by artists with whom he shares a

Glenn Ligon

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