What’s Up

Girl Power
Soon after Savannah, Georgia-native Juliette Gordon Low met the founder of the Boy Scouts, she started the Girl Scouts of the USA. The National Portrait Gallery celebrates the organization’s centennial through January 6, 2013.

Mixed Messages
The late Ojibwe artist Carl Beam used mixed media to explore the interplay between Western and Native cultures. Through April 15, visit a retrospective of his work at the American Indian Museum in New York City.

Trading Places
In the late seventh century, trade along the Silk Road introduced new artistic styles to Tang dynasty China. See an array of ornaments and other luxury items at the Freer on view indefinitely.

Mining For Memories
Congo’s mining industry deteriorated over decades from corruption and mismanagement. Through January 6, 2013, at Natural History, Congolese artist Sammy Baloji’s “The Beautiful Time” combines historic and current photography to capture this decline.

Animal Magnetism
When ancient Iranian ceramics were excavated in the early 20th century, they were discovered to be the oldest Middle Eastern pottery inspired by animal forms. Explore the Sackler Gallery’s collection on view through July 16.

Joseph Stromberg | | READ MORE

Joseph Stromberg was previously a digital reporter for Smithsonian.