Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

Rainbow 'round My Shoulder: Al Jolson Centennial

Over 35 objects, including photos, books, record albums, and music sheets, are on view in honor of the 100th anniversary of Al Jolson's birth.

May 1, 1985 – November 13, 1985

American History Museum

U.S. Grant: The Man and the Image

This small commemorative exhibition traces Grant's rise to world-wide fame as a Civil War general and President of the U.S.

July 23, 1985 – November 11, 1985

Portrait Gallery

Building the Bomb: Forty Years After Hiroshima (Case of the Month)

Study some 45 photographs, drawings, documents, and artifacts that illustrate the development of the atomic bomb under the Manhattan Project, the decision to use it in the war, and the destructive effects on Japan.

August 6, 1985 – November 7, 1985

American History Museum

Nature's Forms, Nature's Forces: The Art of Alexander Hogue

The 35 paintings and works on paper examine Hogue's central theme -- the relationship of nature and natural processes to man.

August 16, 1985 – November 3, 1985

American Art Museum

Japanese Calligraphy

Visit 14 hanging and hand scrolls and album leaves that feature traditional styles of Japanese writing and cursive styles developed during the 8th through the 12th centuries.

December 21, 1984 – November 3, 1985

Asian Art Museum Freer Gallery

The Happy Frog

Say hello to a 200-pound bronze sculptured frog who welcomes visitors from his pedestle in front of the Reptile House.

November 1, 1975 – November 1, 1985

National Zoo

Trough (Friedl Dzubas Painting)

On view for the 20th anniversary of the Resident Associate Program is Trough, a painting by Friedl Dzubas, a gift from RAP to the HMSG collection.

September 1, 1985 – October 31, 1985

Hirshhorn Museum

American Anthem: An Exhibition of Songs and Symbols of American History

Follow American history from the Revolutionary period through the 1940s with artifacts and music.

March 30, 1985 – October 31, 1985

American History Museum

Images of India: Photographs by Raja Lala Deen Dayal

Visit some 20 late-19th-century photographs of the British Raj by the Indian photographer Lala Deen Dayal, portraying architecture and people of the period.

June 4, 1985 – October 31, 1985

Natural History Museum

Preview of Permanent Invertebrate Exhibition

Visit 7 displays, each featuring a different type of creature.

May 23, 1985 – October 30, 1985

National Zoo

Zhandra Rhodes Gown

In conjunction with RAP's 20th anniversary is a chiffon evening gown created by British designer Zhandra Rhodes.

October 1, 1985 – October 28, 1985

American History Museum

Sightseeing: A Space Panorama

Admire NASA photographs, taken in space, compiled by Peter Riva during a summer workshop in Arles, France.

September 6, 1985 – October 25, 1985

Air and Space Museum

Our Cup of Tea: Contemporary Crafted Teapots, Cups and Spoons

Admire and purchase works by 30 potters from across the country -- some decorative rather than functional, and in styles ranging from traditional to funky.

August 29, 1985 – October 20, 1985

Renwick Gallery

Japanese Theater in the Edo Period

See Kabuki and puppet theater performances that are the subjects of many of these paintings on hanging scrolls, hand-scrolls, screens, and wood-block prints, all of the Edo period (1615-1868).

July 26, 1985 – October 14, 1985

Asian Art Museum Freer Gallery

From Zoo to Art: Animal Subjects by American Sculptors

Examine the animal as a subject for 19th- and 20th-century American artists in 51 sculptures and works on paper from NMAA's collection.

March 1, 1985 – October 14, 1985

American Art Museum

Igbo Arts: Community and Cosmos

View the diversity of art styles among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria illustrated by more than 100 objects in this exhibition.

July 31, 1985 – October 14, 1985

African Art Museum

Wine: Celebration and Ceremony

See more than 350 objects in a major exhibition that documents the impact of wine on the history of design.

June 4, 1985 – October 13, 1985

Cooper Hewitt Design Museum

Timeless Sources: Rare Books in the Cooper-Hewitt Museum

View selected volumes of illustrated rare books on design, chosen from the Cooper-Hewitt collection of more than 3,000 volumes dating from the 16th through the 20th centuries.

May 21, 1985 – October 6, 1985

Cooper Hewitt Design Museum

Resident Associate Trilobite

See a 400-million-year-old trilobite found by Resident Associate Y. Kirkpatrick Howard during a Resident Associate Program collecting trip.

September 1, 1985 – September 30, 1985

Natural History Museum

Panorama of India

See books and a manuscript documenting early European voyages and travels to India, accounts of British officials who served in India, and the influence of Indian art motifs on British designs and tastes.

June 7, 1985 – September 30, 1985

American History Museum

Crossroads (Calder Gouache)

Visit Alexander Calder's Crossroads , donated to NASM and displayed as part of RAP's 20th Anniversary.

September 1, 1985 – September 30, 1985

Air and Space Museum

Industrial Design: An American Case History (Singer Sewing Machine)

See sewing machines, models, and other selections from the collection of Industrial Design drawings donated to MAH by Singer.

July 24, 1985 – September 29, 1985

American History Museum

Material Evidence: New Color Techniques in Handmade Furniture

View 23 pieces of handcrafted furniture created by 19 contemporary woodworkers who were invited to explore the design possibilities of Formica Corporation's new solid color laminate, Colorcore.

April 26, 1985 – September 22, 1985

Renwick Gallery

Discovery Theater Art & Writing Contest Winners

View more than 30 paintings, drawings, stories, and poems selected from over 4,500 entries submitted by Washington area students in the Discovery Theater Art and Writing Contests.

April 1, 1985 – September 19, 1985

Arts and Industries Building

The Martha Jackson Memorial Collection

Discover 66 works selected from the 127 paintings, sculptures and works on paper given to NMAA by David Anderson in honor of his mother, Martha Jackson, who was best-known for encouraging abstract expressionist artists.

June 21, 1985 – September 15, 1985

American Art Museum