The Amber Room, dazzling, invaluable, and considered the “eighth wonder of the world,” was constructed for Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin in the early 18th century and gifted to Peter the Great. Composed of amber, semi-precious stones, and gold, it symbolized Russian imperial wealth. Looted by Nazis, destroyed or hidden, and later reconstructed, it has shifted from emblem of global power to phantasm of imperial ambitions. Art historian Molly Brunson explores its history, craftsmanship, and enduring fascination nearly a century after its disappearance. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Ages 6 to 11. The Science Guys of Baltimore are back to teach us about the wild world of weather!
Learn the fundamentals of floral arranging as this class covers essential base mechanics, sourcing flowers, working with seasonal blooms, and photographing your work.
President Michael Douglas? President Gene Hackman? President Harrison Ford? Hollywood has long imagined Oval Office leaders, and film historian Max Alvarez guides audiences through nine decades of cinematic presidential portrayals. From failed box office attempts in the 1930s and ’40s, to JFK-era thrillers, Clinton-era dramas, and more complex depictions in “The West Wing,” “House of Cards,” and “VEEP,” Alvarez explores how film and television shaped presidential images. Expect dueling Nixons and LBJs in this lively multimedia lecture.
On July 29, 1878, a total solar eclipse swept the American West, inspiring a race to the Rockies to unlock scientific mysteries. Author and science journalist David Baron shares the story of three eclipse chasers—asteroid hunter James Craig Watson, trailblazing astronomer Maria Mitchell, and young Thomas Edison—to illustrate this saga of ambition, discovery, and a nation’s quest for scientific glory during the Gilded Age.
Create your own story as you learn to upcycle book pages as surfaces for drawing, painting, and collage using gelatin plate prints, textures, photo transfers, drawing, painting, and text redaction.
Islamic art and architecture are both distinctive and varied. Art historian Sean Roberts provides an overview of the historical and societal contexts in which this tradition developed. The narrative covers 14 centuries and spans from the central Islamic lands across the globe. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)
The 250th anniversary of the United States marks a milestone, representing two and a half centuries of upholding democracy, building communities, and working to become a more perfect union. In celebration, the Smithsonian Institution created a new book, The Promise of a Nation: Commemorating 250 Years of Patriotism, Resilience, and Aspirations from the National Collection, in which curators reflect on how objects and people have shaped the national identity. During an evening presentation, Smithsonian experts share the story of how this publication came together, focusing on selected decades from the 1770s to the 2020s.
