The Renwick Gallery, a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum located near the White House, is dedicated to the richness and diversity of American craft and decorative arts from the 19th to the 21st centuries. The gallery features works in glass, ceramic, metal, wood and fiber, and takes its name from the building's architect, James Renwick Jr., who also designed the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall.
Become a member of the James Renwick Alliance.
Free walk-in tours are offered weekdays at noon and on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00. From mid-June to mid-September, tours are offered only at noon on Fridays and at 1:00 on weekends. All tours meet in the Renwick Gallery lobby. To schedule a group tour, call 202-633-8550 at least three weeks in advance.
Paintings in the second-floor Grand Salon recreate the elegant setting of a 19th-century collector's picture gallery. The Grand Salon is flanked by galleries featuring contemporary American crafts.
Ask at the information desk for a calendar of free events, including conversations with artists, demonstrations and musical performances.
(walk-in; meet in lobby)
All tours subject to docent availability:
June 20-September 22, 2008:
• Every Fri., 12 Noon
• Every Sat.-Sun., 1 PM
Except
• 2nd Tuesday of each month, no tour
• Federal holidays, no tour
(by appointment offered Mon.-Fri. only; 3-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202-633-8550)
Note: No tours are scheduled on federal holidays.
(by appointment offered Mon.-Fri. only; 3-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202-633-8550)
Note: No tours are scheduled on federal holidays.
The Renwick Museum Store offers a delightful variety of merchandise, including intriquing creations by artists. The store also offers a large selection of art materials for children.
Although the Renwick Gallery does not have an on-site café, many Smithsonian museums do.
