Graphic designers: Back away from the computer and head to the Ballyhoo! Posters as Portraiture exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery. In the sixty displayed postered portraits, one can see an evolution of graphic design and advertising, with each era screaming its identity through fonts, colors and graphic techniques, as well as the obvious context of the featured face. Keeping true to the NPG’s mission, all 60 posters are about Americans or American films, however......

The National Portrait Gallery recently opened a pair of shows, Zaida Ben-Yusuf: New York Portrait Photographer and Edward Steichen: Portraits, which combine to weave a single portrait of American cultural life in the early decades of the twentieth century. Though Steichen is the much better known photographer, Ben-Yusuf’s work is equally compelling, and together the two exhibitions portray a range of politicians, actors, writers, musicians and other important figures, giving us a glimpse back into......

Even though he has a room dedicated to his likeness in the Corcoran Gallery of Art’s new exhibit, The American Evolution: A History Through Art, one of George Washington’s most famous portraits resides at the National Portrait Gallery and has a storied history. Nicknamed the "Lansdowne" portrait, Gilbert Stuart’s 205-year-old painting, George Washington, has not spent many of those years in this country. "Lansdowne" comes from the person for whom it was painted, the first......

We were getting set to remind everyone that time is running out to catch the wildly popular Stephen Colbert portrait hanging at the National Portrait Gallery, but a spokesperson at the NPG has just told us they've decided to extend the run of the "painting" until April 1 - April Fool's Day. The portrait was hung on Jan. 16 between the 2nd floor bathrooms of the museum as part of a lengthy three-part gag......

With brightly-colored graffiti murals lining the gallery hallways, and riffs on 17th century Dutch painting, the National Portrait Gallery has brought a breath of fresh air to the often traditional Smithsonian Institution. Last Friday, just weeks after hanging the Stephen Colbert portrait, the NPG opened RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture, a show that’s bound to appeal to a wide-ranging audience. But RECOGNIZE! isn't only about trying to bring a younger audience to a museum......

Many of you may have stopped by the Portrait Gallery to catch a glimpse of Stephen Colbert’s aptly positioned portrait, but did you have the time to take in the rest of the museum as well? Recently, DCist was given an insider’s tour of the National Portrait Gallery by Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections Management Claire Kelly. Unlike many other art museums which focus primarily on preserving and documenting art history, the work......

The Colbert Report has been blissfully, if not nearly at full speed without its striking writers, back for a little more than a week now on Comedy Central. For three nights straight they've been running a series showing Stephen traipsing all over Washington with a portrait of himself strapped to his back, trying to convince one of the Smithsonian museums to actually hang it up. Without dwelling on how we managed to miss out......

My mother and I used to think we were so clever sneaking out of the house after the post-pumpkin pie haze to spend our tryptophan relaxing time at the movie theater, while our extended family lay sprawled on the couches in front of the boob tube ... until a few years later when the entire world caught on and every theater had lines around the block on Turkey Day. Lucky for you, we're in Washington,......

Dynamic, lively, stunning, soaring. These are the words used by Smithsonian officials and architect Spencer de Grey to describe the new Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, home to both the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. With a blend of modern aesthetics and historic sensibilities, the new courtyard is a gorgeous space that the Smithsonian plans to use to hold public......

A little over a year since the Reynolds Center, where the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are housed, re-opened its doors, it continues to celebrate huge improvements to the building. This Sunday stop by for the grand opening of the Kogod Courtyard, which will include tons of musical performances both in the courtyard and inside on the third floor, hands-on activities for all ages (a Lite Brite station!), and, as usual,......

Katharine Hepburn, one of the most iconic actresses of the 20th century, is the latest person to be featured in the National Portrait Gallery’s “One Life” gallery. Kate: A Centennial Celebration, which opened today, presents a multi-media approach to Hepburn’s life — photographs, video clips, her four Best Actress Oscar statuettes, a Brooks Brothers red turtleneck sweater, and a studio contract are all on display. The four statuettes, which Hepburn won for Morning Glory, Guess......

>> Art Whino, the new 22,000 square foot exhibition and studio space at 717 N. Asaph St. in Old Town Alexandria, holds its grand opening tonight. The gallery's debut event will be soundtracked by DJ Stylo, and marks the start of two new exhibits: a solo show by artist Derrick Wolbaum and a group show of Pop-Surrealism work in the Permanent Gallery. The opening reception is tonight from 6 to 11 p.m, admission is free.......

>> The Rock and Roll Hotel hosts Austin's electro-indie Octopus Project and Shout Out Out Out Out. $10, 8:30 p.m. >> Rustico in Alexandria is bringing back its delightfully insane Don't Hassel the Hof Brau party, which honors Munich's famous Hofbrau Oktoberfest beer as well as perennial German favorite and noted drunk entertainer, David Hasselhoff. Free Hofbrau mugs with every beer, and our own beer guy, Eric Denman, will be tending bar and sporting......

>> What's more fun than gathering your friends to go see your very own art on the wall of a gallery? The Wall Mountables community event kicks off this week, so we hope you've pulled that painting/photo/whatever out of the closet and prepared it for the limelight. The first installation date was last night, but you've still got tonight, 3 to 8 p.m., and tomorrow night, 3 to 6 p.m., to grab a space of......

>> Conner Contemporary opens Academy 2007, their annual BFA/MFA art show featuring talented graduates from the region. The curators have been touring student shows since January to find the best from this year's class in a wide variety of media. Find the Next Great Artist this Friday at their opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. >> Art Enables is really settling into their new space, and are celebrating the induction of their official gallery......

There are, of course, many criteria by which one can judge a photograph: form, composition, color, subject matter, context, or the viewer’s emotional response. In viewing Harry Benson: Being There, currently on display at Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture at the National Portrait Gallery, it is not Benson’s technical ability as a photographer that impresses, but his uncanny ability to be present when historic moments occur and then place himself......

Today DCist begins a new supplement to our weekly agendas. If you still don't have plans for tonight we've got an assortment of activities to get you off the couch and out enjoying all the area has to offer. >> Jumping on the cherry tree bandwagon, Black Cat hosts The Cherry Blossom Jam. Rap artists Marsha Ambrosius, of Floetry fame, Chrisette Michelle, Frestile and MN8. [1811 14th St. NW, $22, Doors open at 8......

The Smithsonian Institution's woes have been front and center in the news lately, and now it has sent its first victim to the chopping block. In the wake of last week's fairly crushing – though not entirely surprising – report on the state of the museums, Secretary Lawrence M. Small has submitted his resignation, announced today by the Board of Regents Executive Committee. Some have noted that Small may only be the first of the......

The weather had better start behaving normally: we want a snow day! Now that there is a reason to be inside again, here are some places with interesting things lying around or hanging from the walls. The new season has officially begun. Make sure to check the gallery's Web site for specific hours before visiting. THURSDAY: >> Baltimore artist Cara Ober will open a show of new work, Prayers and Joking, at Flashpoint (916 G......

Flickr user the horrible symbolism bring us this light fixture at the National Portrait Gallery is all kinds of shiny and pretty. Also great is this very real picture, with sculpture and strollers in the background. Here's the EXIF data.......

There are a lot of good shots in the DCist pool today, but it would be hard to pass over christaki's lovely set of photos from the National Portrait Gallery. I found this picture of Arthur Lee's The Ethiopian to be particularly striking. You can find the EXIF data here.......

Everyone must be finishing up their holiday shopping this weekend, because arts events are a little few and far between, but we've got your weekend warm-up for you: >> If you haven't yet trekked to one of the many local venues that have featured artist Amy Lin, it's time to clear your Friday evening schedule and head down to the DCAC in Adams Morgan. The space will show Obsession, curated by Anne Collins Goodyear, an......

Presidential abuses of power. We're so used to them by now that we feel a little cheated if the Commander-in-Chief doesn't have his way with us every now and then. There was Thomas Jefferson's dogged insistence that someday we would need states in the middle of the country. William Henry Harrison's relentless desire to assume the presidency despite being too frail to endure just a few hours outdoors in D.C.'s balmy March climate. William Howard......

Holiday? What Holiday? While some of us were home devouring pumpkin pies instead of writing the Arts Agenda last week, a few galleries opened their doors to new exhibits. The National Portrait Gallery is giving thanks to Josephine Baker by displaying images, posters, music sheets and other artifacts that tell the story of this amazing performer and civil rights activist. Meanwhile, the National Geographic Museum has opened their Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit, showcasing......

Have you or anyone know you know sat for a portrait? In the world since photography, what relevance does the tradition of painted portraiture have? These are questions that the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery would like us to consider. The museum is offering a free event, the Edgar P. Richardson symposium, this Friday (November 17, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on the subject of Today’s Face: Perspectives on Contemporary Portraiture. The morning session features two......

When it comes to Friday night plans, there's a happy medium between sitting home alone with a beer and a Netflix envelope and staying out till 3 a.m. in Adams Morgan. The Smithsonian provides middle ground for those of us who prefer to end our weeks by going out and enjoying a relaxing dose of culture. Friday evenings you can find live jazz from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe. Think harmonic......

This week's Overheard entries were a little slim, and with that in mind, we thought perhaps an assignment was in order. Don't worry, we're not springing a pop quiz on you on a Friday, and this is nothing like that dream you had where you walked into class naked. Unless you want it to be. That's your business. But here in Washington, we have no shortage of places to eavesdrop on the unsuspecting, and that's......

Written by DCist contributor Lindsay Gibson. Just as we learn that tourists spent record dollars in the District last year, the Smithsonian Institution is lamenting a drop in attendance to their museums during the same time period. Apparently visitors willing to shell out cash are balking at the Capital's fine free attractions. Some buildings were closed during Deluge '06, but museum officials are primarily placing the blame on the series of crimes against tourists this......

We can't say we weren't worried. Watching building disrepair and funding battles, scrapped additions and ousted leaders, many of us wondered if the Corcoran Gallery of Art would ever bounce back from its troubles. On the contrary, it seems the Corcoran may have entered a bright new era. The Post followed around new Director Paul Greenhalgh and published a thorough report on the gallery's new vision. Greenhalgh's enthusiasm is infectious as he describes his first......

While we celebrate the reopening of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery as classic examples of what museum care and innovation should be, the Smithsonian Institution at large may be slowly losing its grasp on the rest of its constituency. D.C.-based art critic and blogger Tyler Green has some critical words in a Los Angeles Times op-ed about the dilapidated conditions the other Smithsonian museums are suffering due to Congress' underfunding of......