Latest Events in Washington D.C.(July Updated)

On the centenary of the death of this pioneering figure of American Impressionism, let us remember her. This special exhibition features many of Cassatt's most beloved paintings, as well as some rarely exhibited groundbreaking prints and drawings.

Throughout history, the Stars and Stripes has inspired pride, protest, and profound artistic expression. From the battlefield to modern cultural movements, the evolution of this flag in art reveals a nation constantly reinventing itself. This exhibition features approximately 30 artworks spanning from the late 19th century to the present, tracing the evolution of the meaning of the American flag. The exhibition explores the symbolism of the flag and the connection between people and the flag. You will enjoy paintings, prints, and photographs by renowned artists such as Gordon Parks, Child Hassam, Dorothea Lange, Jasper Johns, and Faith Ringold.

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Artificial light sources have become so commonplace at night that we've taken them for granted. But what do brighter nights mean for humans and wildlife? The effects of light pollution go far beyond our ability to see the stars, but solutions can have immediate results. Explore why dark nights are important, reconnect with the night sky, and reflect on how much light is enough at night—for whom, for what purpose, and by whom? Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 items, interactive experiences, tactile models, and theatrical performances.

See three awe-inspiring sculptures by an American artist who transforms tires to explore environmental concerns. For over four decades, Chakaia Booker has cut, coiled, and contorted tires, sculpting the industrial waste into spectacular abstract forms. Booker uses discarded tires both as a commentary on cultural histories and experiences and as a sustainable practice. Salvaging the tires avoids their disposal into landfills, where they trap and emit methane gas. Her works encourage us to consider the history of the material of tires as well as the effect rubber can have on our future. Three monumental wall relief sculptures—Acid Rain (2001), Echoes in Black (Industrial Cicatrization) (1996), and It's So Hard to Be Green (2000)—are presented. Each sculpture spans 20 to 21 feet wide and features a mass of curled bands of tire rubber, some interspersed with spiky shards, coiled strips, and loops made from inner tubes. Booker's six-part photogravure series Foundling Warrior Quest (II 21C) (2010) showcases the artist as a mythical being foraging in a harsh, industrial landscape.

Lowriding culture combines artistic expression, technological innovations, and storytelling that reflects Mexican American and Chicano culture and identity. This vibrant, bilingual exhibition showcases this unique car-making tradition with photos, graphics, and two classic Chevy Impalas: “El Rey” and “Gypsy Rose.” Featuring murals and candy red paint, the 1963 vehicle “El Rey” was built by three generations of the same family. With its hand-painted roses, the 1964 “Gypsy Rose,” is recognized as one of the most iconic lowriders and credited with putting the car culture into the public imagination. Following WWII, the U.S. embraced car culture as a symbol of the American dream. In Mexican American communities, lowrider cars became a source of pride and a way of creating community in an era with wide-spread discrimination and racism towards Latinas/os. Corazón y vidatells the 80-year history of lowriding and community building through photographs, posters, objects such as a pinstripe tool kit, car club clothing, trophies and other materials.

Over 100 works on paper showcase how artists over the past 250 years have explored America's historical experience by depicting American landscapes, people, and ideals of freedom. These works cover a wide range of subjects, including photographs by Carlton Watkins, Dorothea Lange, and Kelly May Weems; prints by Thomas Hart Benton, Roy Lichtenstein, and Rupert Garcia; and drawings by Thomas Moran, John Wilson, and Tonita Peña.

Some 20 works will probe how the layered histories and meanings of Niagara Falls—long associated with our country's nationhood—have evolved from the early 19th century to today.

The "In Pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness" exhibition will span three floors and 300,000 square feet, showcasing 250 important exhibits, including the desk Jefferson used when drafting the Declaration of Independence. Another notable exhibit is the USS Philadelphia, the only surviving gunboat from the early U.S. Navy. This National Historic Landmark, which helped the United States repel the British invasion, will undergo on-site restoration to preserve it for posterity. Visitors and online audiences can gain a deeper understanding of the glorious achievements and challenges of America's journey through a year-long series of engaging activities. These activities include hands-on activities, theatrical performances, educational tools, and virtual field trips to classrooms nationwide.