The Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery will present a wide variety of public programs to complement the exhibition "Ornament as Art: Avant-Garde Jewelry from the Helen Williams Drutt Collection," on view from March 14 through July 6. "Ornament as Art" was organized by Cindi Strauss, curator of modern and contemporary decorative arts and design at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. All programs take place at the Renwick Gallery, except the April 12 symposium that will be held in the museum's McEvoy Auditorium, located at Eighth and F streets N.W. Details about the following programs are available at americanart.si.edu. For additional information, the public may e-mail saamprograms@si.edu or call (202) 633-8490.

Free Public Programs

Gijs Bakker: Art Jewelry to Droog Design
Friday, March 14; noon
World-renowned Dutch artist Gijs Bakker addresses his contributions to contemporary jewelry and the collaborative concept behind Droog Design; a book signing follows with Drutt, Strauss and artists whose work is included in the exhibition.

Poet's Walk
Sunday, April 6; 3 p.m.
Artist Kiwon Wang discusses her innovative jewelry, which contrasts Eastern and Western traditions and artistic perceptions. This program is sponsored by the James Renwick Alliance.

A Grand Passion: Global Perspectives on Contemporary Art Jewelry Symposium
Saturday, April 12; 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Speakers include collector Drutt and artists Claus Bury, Robert Baines, Robin Kranitzky and Kim Overstreet; Renwick Gallery Curator Jane Milosch moderates. Co-sponsored by the museum and the James Renwick Alliance, this program takes place at the museum's main building at Eighth and F streets N.W.

Protective Ornament: Dressed for Defense
Thursday, May 1; noon
Art historian Suzanne Ramljak surveys jewelry's protective capacity, from ancient amulets to high-tech gear.

Consuming Art
Sunday, May 11; 3 p.m.
Artist Claudia Crisan shares her edible jewelry and the relationship between it, the wearer and the audience. She explores the importance materials play in this relationship and offers samples to eat.

Jewelry Through the Ages
Thursday, May 15; noon
Sabine Albersmeier, associate curator of ancient art at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, traces the evolution of jewelry from the first forms of adornment to the avant-garde jewelry of today.

Ornament as Art
Sunday, June 8; 3 p.m.
Exhibition curator Strauss discusses "Ornament as Art" from conception to execution.

Garden of Dreams
Sunday, June 29; 3 p.m.
Artists David and Roberta Williamson speak about their jewelry, which incorporates childhood memories and found objects.

Workshops
Registration is required. To register, e-mail saamprograms@si.edu or call (202) 633-8490.

Introduction to Beading ($35)
Thursday, May 29 and Saturday, May 31; 1–5 p.m.
Jewelry designer Kathleen Manning introduces jewelry making, from beaded necklaces to wire rings.

Sculptural Paper Jewelry ($30)
Wednesday, June 18 and Sunday, June 22; 1:30–5 p.m.
Create multiple pieces of paper jewelry with artist and jewelry designer Dana Ayanna Greaves.

Credit
"Ornament as Art: Avant-Garde Jewelry from the Helen Williams Drutt Collection" has been organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Generous funding has been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Rotasa Foundation. The James Renwick Alliance supports the exhibition's presentation at the Renwick Gallery.

The Renwick Gallery is located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W., near the Farragut North (Red line) and Farragut West (Blue and Orange lines) Metrorail stations. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25. Admission is free. Smithsonian Information: (202) 633-1000; (202) 633-5285 (TTY). Web site: americanart.si.edu.

SI-88A-2008