Calendar editors please note:
All events are held at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, located at Eighth and F streets N.W., Washington, D.C., and are free unless otherwise noted. For public information, call (202) 633-1000. The National Portrait Gallery is open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Print January program schedule
National Portrait Gallery Walk-in Tours
Walk-in tours of the National Portrait Gallery begin in the F Street lobby; reservations are not required.-
Highlights of the National Portrait Gallery tours
Weekdays, 11:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
- Docent's Choice tours
Weekdays, 1 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 1:30 p.m.
- "America’s Presidents" tours
Jan. 16 at 1 p.m.; Jan. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.; Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.;
Jan. 19 at 1 p.m.; Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
"Behind the Scenes"
An Introduction to the Lunder Conservation Center
Wednesdays, 3 p.m.
Wednesdays, 3 p.m.
At the Lunder Conservation Center, learn how museum conservators use science, art history and
skilled hands to preserve objects in the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art
Museum collections. Group size is limited; please register at the Luce Foundation Center
information desk before 3 p.m. on the day of the program.
Face-to-Face Portrait Talks
F Street Lobby, Thursday's 6p.m - 6:30 p.m.
Each week, a staff member of the National Portrait Gallery or a special guest speaker brings visitors
face-to-face with a portrait by offering an insight into one person. Visitors meet the presenter in the
F Street lobby and then walk to the appropriate gallery. In the January Face-to-Face talks, learn "What’s New at the Portrait Gallery."
- Happy Birthday to the King! Researcher Warren Perry speaks about the portrait of Elvis Presley by Ralph Cowan (special addition at noon)
Thursday, January 8, 12:00 - 12:30 p.m
- Assistant Curator of Prints and Drawings Anne Goodyear speaks about the portrait of Cindy Sherman by Martin Schoeller in the exhibition "Portraiture Now: Feature Photography" (regularly scheduled time. 6 p.m.)
Thursday, January 8, 6:00 - 6:30 p.m
- Associate Curator of Photographs Frank Goodyear speaks about Ryan McGinley’s self-portrait in the exhibition "Portraiture Now: Feature Photography"
Thursday, January 15, 6p.m - 6:30 p.m
- Curator of Painting and Sculpture Brandon Fortune speaks about the portrait Adelyn, Ash Wednesday, New Orleans, Louisiana by Alec Soth in the exhibition "Portraiture Now: Feature Photography"
Thursday, January 22, 6p.m - 6:30 p.m
- Curator of Photographs Ann Shumard speaks about the portrait of Michael J. Fox by Steve Pyke in the exhibition "Portraiture Now: Feature Photography"
Thursday, January 29, 6p.m - 6:30 p.m
Energized! Exploring the Spirit of Activism
Saturday, Jan. 10, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
National Portrait Gallery Education Center, first floor, room E151
Recommended for youth ages 10 and up and their families
Join the National Portrait Gallery in exploring the spirit of activism and keep your New Year's resolution to be more active, energized, and involved in your community. This fun-filled, inspiring family day features storytelling, a hands-on craft, and an information booth featuring local community service opportunities. In addition, a self-guided tour will highlight portraits from the Portrait Gallery's permanent collection as well as from the exhibition "Women of Our Time: Twentieth-Century Photographs," which features women who have energized Washington and the nation while making a difference.
Reel Portraits
Jeannette Rankin and A Single Woman
Saturday, Jan. 10, 3 p.m.
Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium
A Single Woman (2008) is the story of the United States's first congresswoman, Jeannette Rankin. Twice elected to represent Montana, in 1916 and 1940, Rankin twice lost her seat for voting against this country's entry into world wars. Her portrait is on display in the exhibition "Women of Our Time: Twentieth-Century Photographs." A conversation with the film's director, Kamala Lopez will follow the screening.
Free and open to the public; no tickets required. Doors open at 2:30; seating is first come, first served.
Facing History: Be the Artist, Youth Program
Saturday, Saturday, Jan. 17, noon - 2 p.m.
National Portrait Gallery Education Center, first floor, room E151
This series is designed so that youth can better understand the work of women artists whose
portraits are featured in the exhibition "Women of Our Time: Twentieth-Century Portraits."
Registered participants will take a guided tour of the exhibition and then create their own pieces
based on ideas from the work of American folk artist Grandma Moses. This program is
recommended for youth ages 10 to 14, accompanied by an adult. Space is limited; please call (202)
633-8501 to register.
Facing History: Be the Artist, Family Program
Saturday, Jan. 17, 3 - 5 p.m.
National Portrait Gallery Education Center, first floor, room E151
Children and their families are invited to participate in a series of art classes in order to better
understand the work of women artists whose portraits are featured in the current exhibition
"Women of Our Time: Twentieth-Century Portraits." The first class, will take a guided tour of the
exhibition and then create artwork based on the main ideas from the work of American folk artist
Grandma Moses. This program is recommended for families with children ages 5 to 10. Children
must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited; please call (202) 633-8501 to register.
The Future of New Art Technologies: Time-Based Media Conservation
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m.
Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium
New technologies, such as televisions, videos, DVDs and MP3s, are used by many artists in multimedia installations, but they are among the greatest challenges in the field of conservation. Dr. Glenn Wharton, media conservator at MoMA and research scholar at New York University’s Conservation Center and museum studies programs, will discuss how MoMA’s conservation program for time-based media is on the cutting edge of new research in the field. This program is organized by the Lunder Conservation Center.