Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

Graphic Design—Now In Production

How graphic design has broadened its reach over the past decade, expanding from a specialized profession to a widely deployed tool, is explored. (on view at Governors Island)

May 26, 2012 – September 3, 2012

Cooper Hewitt Design Museum

Best in the World: Native Athletes in the Olympics

Follow Native American athletes who provided some of the most dramatic moments in Olympic history, especially at the 1912 Games in Stockholm, Sweden.

May 25, 2012 – September 3, 2012

American Indian Museum DC

African American Art: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and Beyond

Explore the African American experience from the Harlem Renaissance through the Civil Rights era and beyond as depicted in 100 artworks by 43 black artists.

April 27, 2012 – September 3, 2012

American Art Museum

Communities in a Changing Nation: The Promise of 19th-Century America

Explore the excitement and dynamism of American life during the 19th century through the experiences of three communities.

February 12, 1999 – September 3, 2012

American History Museum

Pictures for Everyone

The images on view explore how 19th-century audiences received and shared visual information that crossed many barriers, including those of race, class, and language.

May 3, 2011 – September 3, 2012

American History Museum

In Memoriam: Gore Vidal

See a portrait of author Gore Vidal (1925-2012).

August 3, 2012 – August 29, 2012

Portrait Gallery

Landsat: Four Decades of Earth Observation

Learn how the Landsat satellite series has monitored changes on the Earth's surface since 1972.

July 23, 2012 – August 20, 2012

Air and Space Museum

Sweet Silent Thought: Whistler's Interiors

In this small-scale exhibition, examine themes that recur in James McNeill Whistler's works.

August 20, 2011 – August 19, 2012

Asian Art Museum Freer Gallery

Suprasensorial: Experiments in Light, Color, and Space

The international light-and-space art movement of the mid- and late 20th century is explored through large-scale installations by five South American artists.

February 23, 2012 – August 12, 2012

Hirshhorn Museum

Winged Spirits: Birds in Chinese Painting

Examine birds in Chinese paintings that are rendered in such fine detail that more than 35 species can be scientifically identified.

February 11, 2012 – August 12, 2012

Asian Art Museum Freer Gallery

X-Ray Vision: Fish Inside Out

X-rays of some of the fish in the museum's collection reveal delicate and exquisite details and help scientists understand the evolutionary development of fish.

February 4, 2012 – August 5, 2012

Natural History Museum

Art of the Stamp: Owney the Postal Dog

See Bill Bond's original painting used to create the Owney stamp.

July 20, 2011 – August 5, 2012

Postal Museum

In Memoriam: Andy Griffith

See a portrait of actor Andy Griffith (1926-2012), star of The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock, by Art Shay.

July 9, 2012 – August 2, 2012

Portrait Gallery

Hokusai: Japanese Screens

View a selection of important Hokusai painted folding screens.

January 28, 2012 – July 29, 2012

Asian Art Museum Freer Gallery

Small Spirits: Dolls from the National Museum of the American Indian

Dolls from Native cultures throughout the Western Hemisphere are on view.

March 5, 2011 – July 19, 2012

American Indian Museum New York

Jefferson's Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth

Thomas Jefferson's The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth provides insight into his religious and moral beliefs.

November 11, 2011 – July 15, 2012

American History Museum

New Acquisition: The BMI Archives Confederate Music Collection

Sheet music lyrics and imagery published in the Confederacy provide insight into the mindset, values, and beliefs of their creators and consumers.

March 1, 2012 – July 13, 2012

American History Museum

The Patents and Trademarks of Steve Jobs: Art and Technology that Changed the World

Examine the far-reaching impact of Steve Jobs’ entrepreneurship and innovation in the global marketplace and in our daily lives.

May 11, 2012 – July 8, 2012

Ripley Center

Masters of Mercy: Buddha's Amazing Disciples

Selections from Kano Kazunobu's 100-painting series depicting Buddhist disciples at work are featured.

March 10, 2012 – July 8, 2012

Asian Art Museum Sackler Gallery

Art of Darkness: Japanese Mezzotints from the Hitch Collection

Some 20 prints and copperplates by Hamaguchi Yozo (1909–2000) and Hamanishi Katsunori (born 1949) demonstrate the innovative use of the mezzotint technique by Japanese artists.

April 7, 2012 – July 8, 2012

Asian Art Museum Sackler Gallery