>> In 1972, the Renwick Gallery was established as the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s branch for craft and decorative arts. To celebrate 40 years of craft and decorative art, the Renwick Gallery is exhibiting 40 under 40 artists whose work continues to help evolve notions of craft within traditional media. All work selected to for the exhibit, was created after September 11, 2001 and reflects the changed world that exists today, which poses new challenges and considerations for artists. These 40 artists are united by philosophies for living differently in modern society with an emphasis on sustainability, a return to valuing the hand-made and what it means to live in a state of persistent conflict and unease. Nicholas R. Bell, The Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator of American Craft and Decorative Art at the Renwick Gallery will open the exhibit with a lecture on July 20 at 12 p.m.
>> Have you ever seen a baby rhinoceros playing in a pool of water? Well, they’re adorable, and sadly these large creatures are on the verge of extinction. The Smithsonian Libraries participates in a global effort dedicated to the survival of endangered species and their habitats and at the Natural History Museum see examples of books from the Libraries, most from the Russell E. Train Africana Collection, Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, that support and enhance research in conservation biology. July 14.
>> In preparation for the August 6 landing of the Mars Science Laboratory’s Curiosity rover at Mars’ Gale crater, future astronauts, scientists and armchair space travelers are invited to the National Air and Space Museum for Mars Day! to learn all they need to know about the “Red Planet” so they can out-geek their friends and impress their coworkers. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 13, participate in feature presentations and fun family activities found throughout the museum.
>> Barbara Kruger: Belief + Doubt is a site-specific installation that wraps the entire lower-level lobby of the Hirshhorn in text-printed white vinyl against fields of black and red. Covering the walls, floor, and escalator sides, this immersive piece explores themes of democracy, doubt, and belief. The resulting environment is a visually spectacular hall of voices that envelops visitors as they descend from the ground level. Reading becomes a whole-body experience, with phrases revealing themselves only as the spectator circulates through the space. Opening July 27.
>> The National Museum of the American Indian is staging the Chickasaw Nation’s production of Te Ata, a play based on the life of Mary Thompson “Te Ata” Fisher, the Chickasaw storyteller and playwright who helped break down racial and cultural barriers over the course of her 60-year career. She remains a beloved hero in the community and has became the first person to be declared an “Oklahoma Treasure” by the state. July 5 through 8, 7:30 p.m.
>> Between 1556 and 1657, the greatest Mughal patrons — emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan — formed grand workshops that brought together and nurtured India’s leading painters, calligraphers, and illuminators. This artistic legacy is on view with 50 of the finest folios and paintings from the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery collections, which form one of the world’s most important repositories of Mughal and Persian paintings. Worlds within Worlds: Imperial Paintings from India and Iran opens July 28.
>> The Presidents Gallery by Madame Tussauds is hosting its First Annual Celebrate America event, inviting children and families to join wax figures of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Ben Franklin and our other “Founding Fathers” for a fun and educational journey through American history and pop culture on July 4 from 8:00 to 10 a.m. Receive complimentary American flag, try your luck at a 50-question American history-themed scavenger hunt and the first 50 visitors will receive a free slice of good ‘ole American apple pie. $10.
>> At the Textile Museum, on July 14, take part in the Shape Intensive workshop. This workshop is open to anyone wanting to expand their shape vocabulary. Shape is one of the primary building blocks for powerful and exciting design. Terry Jarrard-Dimond, an award-winning textile artist from South Carolina, will help you create a number of paper studies using geometric, natural, and abstract shapes. These studies will help to form the foundation of an inspiration portfolio for your future work. $65/members, $75/non-members, plus $10 supply fee payable to instructor. Advance registration required. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
>> As part of the United States Navy Memorial’s Authors on Deck book lecture series, historian and author Stanley Weintraub will present his latest work, Final Victory: FDR’s Remarkable WWII Presidential Campaign, followed by at Q&A session and book signing. July 11, 12 p.m.
>> School’s out, summer vacation is on and the Newseum is enticing mom and dad to visit, with free admission for kids. Between now and Labor Day, kids 18 and under receive free admission to the museum.
