June Museum Roundup
Image by Walter Meayers Edwards. Courtesy Kodachrome Culture from the National Geographic Museum
>> During the post-World War II boom years, countless families had money for travel and a curiosity about the world, particularly Europe. In documenting these travels, many people used Kodachrome film, the first color film to find widespread use. Starting in June, the National Geographic Museum will take visitors on a vacation back to this era with a new photography exhibition, Kodachrome Culture, culled from images from the National Geographic archives. Opening June 25
>> The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden brings back its annual Summer Camp film series this year, featuring Godzilla. Experience this selective "career survey" of the large lizard with back story insights from film scholar David Wilt. Thursday June 11, 18 and 25 at 7 p.m. Free but seating is limited and available on a first-come basis.
>> What better way to celebrate Flag Day, than with the National Museum of American History and a performance of the Star-Spangled Banner by the winner of the museum’s Star-Spangled Banner Singing Contest at 10 a.m. The celebration continues with a children’s citizenship ceremony, performances from the Fifes and Drum of York Town and a flag folding activity. June 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
>> On June 12, the National Museum of the American Indian opens Ramp it Up. This exhibit celebrates the vibrancy, creativity, and controversy of American Indian skate culture. It features rare and archival photographs and film of Native skaters as well as skatedecks from Native companies and contemporary artists.
>> Nocturnes, the term James McNeill Whistler applied to his nearly abstract moonlit landscapes, represent his signature contribution to nineteenth-century art. In Texture of Night: James McNeill Whistler, view Whistler's exploration of urban darkness at the Freer. Opens June 6.
>> On June 12, the National Zoo hosts its annual Guppy Gala. This family friendly event includes animal encounters, yummy food and a variety of fun family activities. 6 to 8:30 p.m. FONZ members, $15 nonmembers, $25.
>> During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, used stamps to communicate with the American people. A stamp collector himself, he understood the power of visual imagery, and he changed the look of stamps to convey messages of hope and optimism. At the National Postal Museum see FDR's stamp tools as well as his sketches for stamp designs in Delivering Hope: FDR & Stamps of the Great Depression opening June 9.
>> Bridging Communities: People and Places exhibits handmade books created by students from Seaton Elementary School in Washington, D.C., and Hoffman-Boston Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia. National Museum of Women in the Arts, opened June 2.
>> On June 20, the Koshland Science Museum hosts Built for Better Health: Improving Manmade Environments. This family day will explore the relationship between neighborhoods, your home, and your health. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
>> View richly textured color images in Storefront Churches: Photographs by Camilo José Vergara at the National Building Museum. These photographs narrate Vergara's thirty year exploration of the eclectic mix of buildings that house places of worship in some of America's poorest urban neighborhoods. Opening June 20.
>> The Corcoran Gallery of Art hosts a special summer exhibition; William Eggleston: Democratic Camera; Photographs and Video 1961-2008. This exhibition includes Eggleston’s early, little-known black-and-white work, his rarely seen video Stranded in Canton, and color photographs from various bodies of work. The exhibition also features a selection of images from his landmark solo exhibition in 1976 at the Museum of Modern Art, widely regarded as one of the most influential photography shows of its time. Opening June 20. $10.
>> Also at the Corcoran on June 20 is the Earth First Family Day. This free all-day, all-ages, all-out celebration for the entire D.C.-area community will include art-making workshops, storytelling, music from the award-winning group Milkshake, theatrical performances, and family tours of the Corcoran's environment-focused special exhibition, Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes, and permanent collection installation, Nature as Nation.
>> Our World at War: Photojournalism Beyond the Front Lines opens Friday at the Newseum. This exhibit features 40 stirring photographs by five award-winning photojournalists, documenting how war and armed violence have affected people’s lives in eight countries. $20.
Museum News:
>> The National Air and Space Museum adds a star to their collection this week. This 8-foot-high lighted star from Coney Island’s now closed space-age theme park, Astroland, will join the museum’s popular culture collection. While the Star comes to the collection this week it won't go on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center until after construction of Phase Two of the center is completed in 2011. Read about the Smithsonian's decision to choose the star at their blog.
>> For the first time ever, beginning June 20, visitors can enjoy Free Summer Saturdays all season long at the Corcoran Gallery of Art thanks to a generous gift from the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. Visitors can enjoy the Corcoran’s summer exhibitions and family programming free of admission on Saturdays through August 29.
>> As we mentioned this morning, the National Gallery of Art has commissioned Roxy Paine to make one of his Dendroid pieces for the Sculpture Garden; the first contemporary piece added in the ten years since its been open.