Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

Jewels & Gems

Discover 131 one-of-a-kind pieces -- brooches, necklaces, rings, and bracelets in enamels, precious metals, and organic elements by 97 artists -- that highlight the spirit, wit, and ingenuity of American studio jewelry artists.

September 26, 2003 – February 8, 2004

Renwick Gallery

The Jewelry of Robert Ebendorf: A Retrospective of Forty Years

Examine 95 pieces of jewelry and sculpture created over a period of 40 years by Robert Ebendorf.

September 25, 2003 – January 19, 2004

Renwick Gallery

George Catlin's Indian Gallery

Recall Catlin's installation of his Indian Gallery as he displayed it during his tours of Europe in the 1840s, with works hung salon-style, one-atop-another and side-by-side.

February 1, 2003 – January 4, 2004

Renwick Gallery

Light Screens: The Leaded Glass of Frank Lloyd Wright

Enjoy 48 of Wright's windows, accompanied by 2 architectural models, and 13 original plates from two of his portfolios.

March 14, 2003 – July 19, 2003

Renwick Gallery

George Catlin and His Indian Gallery

See the most comprehensive display of Catlin's works in over a century, in an exhibition that showcases more than 400 paintings, personal papers, and American Indian artifacts.

September 6, 2002 – January 20, 2003

Renwick Gallery

The Renwick Invitational: Four Discoveries in Craft

Visit the second exhibition in a biennial series that highlights the work of 4 accomplished American artists.

June 14, 2002 – October 14, 2002

Renwick Gallery

Wood Turning since 1930

Admire 130 works in this exhibit that documents six decades of wood turning in North America.

March 15, 2002 – July 14, 2002

Renwick Gallery

Grand Salon: 19th-Century Picture Gallery

Visit the Grand Salon—renovated as a re-creation of a 19th-century collector's picture gallery—to see 170 paintings from the American Art Museum (temporarily closed for renovation).

June 3, 2000 – June 17, 2002

Renwick Gallery

30th Anniversary Exhibition

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Renwick with an exhibition featuring objects from all media--clay, fiber, glass, metal, and wood--that illustrate the breadth of its collection.

February 12, 2002 – May 31, 2002

Renwick Gallery

The Furniture of Sam Maloof

Celebrate the first full-scale retrospective of woodworker Sam Maloof's celebrated sculpted furniture in this exhibition of 60 pieces.

September 14, 2001 – January 21, 2002

Renwick Gallery

USA Clay

Visit some 80 pieces of ceramics--ranging from functional wares to conceptual sculptures and from folk art to works that emphasize particular firing techniques.

March 9, 2001 – July 15, 2001

Renwick Gallery

Star-Spangled Presidents: Portraits by Liza Lou

See black-and-white beaded portraits of each of the presidents presented in gold beaded frames by San Diego contemporary artist Liza Lou.

November 18, 2000 – February 19, 2001

Renwick Gallery

Spirits of the Cloth: Contemporary Quilts by African American Artists

Admire 51 quilts by 31 leading male and female African American quilters celebrating the recent renaissance of African American quiltmaking.

October 6, 2000 – January 21, 2001

Renwick Gallery

Amish Quilts from the Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown

Discover 30 Amish quils made from 1880 to 1940 in Holmes County, Ohio, home of the largest Amish community in the Midwest.

October 6, 2000 – January 21, 2001

Renwick Gallery

The Art of John Cederquist: Reality of Illusion

Enjoy 13 playful trompe l'oeil sculptures by the contemporary studio furniture maker.

March 31, 2000 – August 20, 2000

Renwick Gallery

The Renwick Invitational: Five Women in Craft

Examine the work of five women artists from diverse regions and backgrounds, showcasing their works in porcelain, basketry, and metal.

March 31, 2000 – August 20, 2000

Renwick Gallery

Glass! Glorious Glass!

Observe 56 objects that attest to a wide range of techniques and philosophical approaches in the making of glass.

September 24, 1999 – January 30, 2000

Renwick Gallery

Dominic Di Mare: A Retrospective

Visit a 30-year retrospective of weavings, handmade paper, wall pieces, and sculptures of this San Francisco Bay-area artist.

March 19, 1999 – July 25, 1999

Renwick Gallery

Shaker: Furnishings for the Simple Life

Learn about the decorative arts, furniture, and tools designed, made, and used by members of a Shaker community in Mount Lebanon, NY.

March 19, 1999 – July 25, 1999

Renwick Gallery

Daniel Brush: Gold without Boundaries

View some 60 objects, from jewelry to sculpture created from 1974-1997, that feature exotic metals and metalworking techniques.

September 11, 1998 – January 10, 1999

Renwick Gallery

Inspiring Reform: Boston's Arts and Crafts Movement

See 145 works—books, ceramics, furniture, jewelry, photos, and textiles—that examine Boston's contributions to the Arts and Crafts movement between 1890 and 1930.

March 6, 1998 – July 5, 1998

Renwick Gallery

Recent Acquisitions of Furniture

Admire 7 gifts and promised gifts of contemporary studio furniture.

March 28, 1998 – July 5, 1998

Renwick Gallery

Michael Lucero: Sculpture

View 48 eclectic works in clay, bronze, and mixed-media—created between 1976 and 1995— that rework European, Native American, Afro-Carolinian, and ancient Mayan forms.

September 12, 1997 – January 4, 1998

Renwick Gallery

American Crafts: The Nation's Collection

See selections from Renwick's permanent collection on view as part of the 25th anniversary reinstallation.

March 14, 1997 – July 13, 1997

Renwick Gallery

The Renwick Gallery at Twenty-Five

Celebrate the Renwick gallery's silver anniversary with one hundred works by ninety-two craft artists.

March 14, 1997 – July 13, 1997

Renwick Gallery