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InPrint Article
Read this article, or see other newsletter articles. February, 2005 Interview with Joann Moser, Senior Curator by Janet Maher
The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) are "sister" museums, having shared the space of the historic former Patent Office Building since 1968. Although the architecturally significant museum building has been undergoing renovation since 2000, SAAM and NPG have been open most of the time that the museum has been closed, their offices, archives, and shared library having been relocated to the Victor Building at 750 Ninth Street NW. Upon completion of the renovation SAAM and NPG will continue to share the Patent Office Building, with galleries devoted to the graphic arts in each of the museum's spaces. The grand reopening is scheduled to occur on July 4, 2006. Both SAAM and NPG have very comprehensive web sites with online exhibitions and beautiful catalogues available through their online museum shops. It is possible to visit their study rooms to see works by advance appointment. About two-thirds of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection is works on paper. The nation's first federal art collection, this collection represents a great many artists, both obscure and well known, with a focus upon those who were instrumental in the development of American art. Its great strength is in works from the 20th century, although it has fine examples of 19th century art as well and a growing collection of contemporary works.
SAAM has a strong collection of prints from the time of the Works Project Administration as well as the 1920s through the 1960s. The collection also represents several artists in great depth, including Howard Cook, Louis Lozowick, Werner Drewes, Robert Cottingham, and William T. Wiley, from whom a gift of seventy prints was recently received. SAAM has the only master collection of Sean Scully’s prints in the United States, a selection of which will be shown at the end of 2006. Senior Curator, Joann Moser, produced the 125-image monotype exhibition, Singular Impressions: The Monotype in America, in 1997, which greatly added to the collection in that area. This exhibition is considered to have been "the first comprehensive exhibition of monotypes in America." Unfortunately, the catalog is out of print, but a video of the monotype process, with Susan Goldman demonstrating, is available. The video can be viewed on the museum’s web site (www.americanart.si.edu) and can be ordered through Crystal Productions (www.crystalproductions.com). Other previous exhibitions are archived online as well, notably Graphic Masters: Highlights from the Smithsonian American Art Museum (touring through 2005, catalogue available), Eyeing America: the Prints of Robert Cottingham, and Posters American Style (catalogue available). Works can also be located online individually by artist, title, type of artwork, or subject matter. The study room is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and visitors are welcome to view works from the collection. Contact Collections Manager, Denise Wamaling, (202-275-1651) for an appointment in order that the works may be pulled for viewing in advance of your visit. The study room can also accommodate classes of up to 20 people. |
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