What's on Feb: Joan Jonas Screening, Wind Down Wednesdays, New Online Tours and More! | National Portrait Gallery
Viewfinder: Women’s Film and Video from the Smithsonian Joan Jonas: The Inner Worlds of Video
Thursday, Feb. 4, 5:30 p.m.
For more than half a century, Joan Jonas has created some of contemporary art’s most influential videos, performances, and installations. Join us for a virtual screening of Jonas’s iconic videos “Left Side Right Side” (8:50 min., 1972) and “Vertical Roll” (19:38 min., 1972) from the respective collections of the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Afterward, a post-screening discussion with Jonas and curators Charlotte Ickes and Saisha Grayson will reveal how the artist explores interiority through the medium of video.
Viewfinder: Women’s Film and Video from the Smithsonian is a monthly virtual screening and conversation series sponsored by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative, “Because of Her Story.” The first six programs in the series reflect upon interiority, a timely theme now that the global pandemic has confined many to their homes.
Spotlight Programs
Art AfterWords: A Book Discussion
Tuesday, Feb. 9
5:30–7:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
The National Portrait Gallery and the DC Public Library invite you to a conversation about representation, kinship, and storytelling. Join us as we explore Bernard Gotfryd’s portrait of Alice Walker and discuss the related book “Training School for Negro Girls” by Camille Acker. DCPL cardholders can access the book online.
Young Portrait Explorers
Wednesday, Feb. 10
11–11:30 a.m. & 3–3:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Explore portraits of astronauts and activists, scientists and star athletes – and discover the stories behind them. In February, join the Portrait Gallery for a close look at a portrait of singer Celia Cruz. Then we’ll dig deeper with some discussion questions and get moving with fun activities on the day’s topic. For children ages 3 to 6 and their adult companions.
In Dialogue: Smithsonian Objects and Social Justice
Thursday, Feb. 11
5:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Delve into the history of medical racism and learn how trust in medicine is both built and broken. Together with our co-hosts from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, we will discuss a portrait of Dr. Charles Drew and instruments used by Dr. William Montague Cobb, two pioneering African American doctors who used science to combat racism.
Free—Registration required
Wind Down Wednesday: Good Trouble
Wednesday, Feb. 24
5:00 p.m.
Online via Instagram Live @smithsoniannpg
The late congressman and activist John Lewis often said that you have to make “good trouble" to create change. During this mid-week happy hour, we will take a close look at the museum's new portrait of Lewis and pay homage to his quest for civil rights. Join us for a conversation that will empower you to raise your voice and get involved in your community. Invited guests include Mixin’ Mimi, who will craft drinks to get us into the spirit.
Last Call: Deadline extended to Feb. 5
Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2022
If you're 18 or older, you now have until Feb. 5 to submit a portrait to the sixth triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. The first-prize winner will receive $25,000 and a commission to portray a remarkable living American for our collection. For more details, visit portraitcompetition.si.edu.
PORTAL Programs
Exhibiting the First Ladies: A Curator's Perspective
Tuesday, Feb. 16
5:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Join Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, the Class of 1940 Bicentennial Term Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Pennsylvania, as she shares her research and insights from curating “Every Eye Is Upon Me: First Ladies of the United States.” The presentation will be followed by a Q & A moderated by Portrait Gallery Acting Senior Historian Kate Clarke Lemay.
Free—Registration required
This program is part of the Greenberg Steinhauser Forum in American Portraiture and is hosted by PORTAL, the Portrait Gallery’s Scholarly Center.
New: Online Tours
Since we can’t get together in person, let’s meet up remotely! The National Portrait Gallery is now offering docent-led group tours for adults. Tours on the following topics will be available by registration:
- Highlights of the National Portrait Gallery's Permanent Collection
- America’s Presidents
- Docent’s Choice of the National Portrait Gallery's Exhibitions and Collections
- Every Eye Is Upon Me: First Ladies of the United States
- Her Story: A Century of Women Writers
- Thematic Docent's Choice Tours
Reservations must be made three weeks in advance of the desired tour date. To receive a tour request form, e-mail NPGAdultTours@si.edu or click here.
*All tours are subject to availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Weekly Online Programs
The National Portrait Gallery is proud to host some of its many public programs online. These digital offerings range from story times for young children to art-making workshops for all ages. Tune in to the museum's social media channels to experience them firsthand.
Visit our website's "Visit at Home" page for more in-depth program descriptions.
Online Exhibitions
We want to meet you where you are...online! Enjoy online adaptations of the National Portrait Gallery's exhibitions as well as collection highlights, including "A Deep Dive into the Portrait of Ocean Conservationist Julie Packard" and a new look at the "First Ladies," through our collaboration with Google Arts & Culture.
Access
Audio Descriptions of America's Presidents
Encounter the Portrait Gallery's signature exhibition from a new perspective! Our detailed audio descriptions of select presidential portraits are geared toward those who are blind or have low vision, but anyone can enjoy them! Available on our website and on SmARTify. This free and easy-to-use app allows you to explore more than 1,000 artworks from the Portrait Gallery’s collection.
ASL Exhibition Tours
Check out past ASL tours on the museum's YouTube channel including one of "The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today," which is now on tour. Preview an online adaptation on the exhibition's website.
Interactive Student Programs
Teachers: Interested in having your class participate in live, interactive video programs about U.S. presidents and their legacies? Check out the Presidential Primary Sources Project. The National Portrait Gallery is offering a session entitled America’s Presidents through Portraiture on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Click here to learn more and to register.
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