Explore America’s Roadside Wonders and More Lively Programs in July

Smithsonian Associates offers innovative, engaging learning experiences for people of all ages. Hundreds of online and in-person lectures, seminars, performances, hands-on studio arts classes, one-of-a-kind study tours and children’s programs are offered annually. To view the Smithsonian Associates digital program guide, visit smithsonianassociates.org.

 

Tuesday, July 9 

The Origins of Western Art: From the Paleolithic Through the Aegean Bronze Age: In the first of a four-session course, art historian Renee Gondek discusses art of the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, a time when the ancient peoples of the Mediterranean created some of the first paintings and sculptures. Visit the early cave paintings from Lascaux and explore the mystery of the monumental sculpture, Stonehenge in England during this fascinating afternoon course. Participants in the Smithsonian World Art History Certificate program earn 1 credit. This program will be held online from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. $100-$110 

Art + History: John Trumbull’s The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis: Study the great works of art in their historical context with Paul Glenshaw, a popular Smithsonian speaker, and Revolutionary War scholar Iris de Rode. This lively discussion delves into the time of the artist, explores the present he inhabited, and considers what shaped his vision. Participants in the Smithsonian World Art History Certificate program earn 1/2 credit. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET $25-$30

 

Wednesday, July 10

Roadside Attractions: Reasons to Stretch Your Legs: Visit some of the often-bizarre sights across America with travel expert Bill Cleven and find out what tales are behind these iconic and memorable sights. From the Giant Blue Whale of Catoosa to the worlds largest wind chime in Casey, Illinois, Clevlen shows us a bit of what we might see when we divert off the highway to stretch our legs. This program is presented on Zoom from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. $25-$30

Thursday, July 11

Ships of State: Presidents at Sea: In this revealing discussion, veteran White House correspondent and historian Ken Walsh provides an illustrated history of presidents and their relationships to the sea, as well as the maritime experiences that have left an indelible mark on the fabric of American leadership. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $20-$25

 

Sunday, July 14

German Expressionism and the Modernist Impulse: During this afternoon program, senior lecturer at the National Gallery of Art, David Gariff explores the vital role that German and Austrian Expressionism played in the tumultuous period leading up to WWI and discusses how they provided a fertile ground for the emergence of new visual languages for the artists that followed. Participants in the World Art History Certificate program earn 1/2 credit. This program is presented on Zoom from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET. $20-$25

Armor of the Samurai at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art: Travel to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond with historian Justin M. Jacobs for an awe-inspiring look at Japan’s exquisitely crafted samurai armor from one of the largest and finest collections in the world. A three-course sit-down lunch is included. Participants in the World Art History Certificate program earn 1/2 credit. Tour participants meet at the Holiday Inn Capitol at 550 C St. SW in Washington, D.C. at 7:45 a.m. $200-$250

In Search of America: Travels with Charley (and Clay): Retrace John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charlie tour with historian Clay Jenkinson as he examines Steinbeck's extraordinary account of his road trip and his own attempt to make sense of what Steinbeck called "this monster country." Jenkinson will soon be traveling the country, listening and reporting on the many voices of America’s past, present, and future. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. $35-$40

 

Tuesday, July 16

The Jazzmen: Share a lively evening with Larry Tye, author of The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America, as he traces the story of how these revolutionary musicians orchestrated the chords that throbbed at the soul of 20th-century America, and, in the process, wrote the soundtrack for the civil rights movement. This program is presented on Zoom from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. $25-$30

 

Wednesday, July 17

Barbie: The History of America’s Best-Selling Doll: Join cultural historian Leslie Goddard and explore the history of Barbie, beginning with her inventor, Ruth Handler, who delves into the complex cultural battles Barbie has inspired over the decades. Learn how Barbie helped transform Mattel into one of the world’s most successful toy companies. This program is presented on Zoom from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. $25-$30

The Sublimely Subversive Cinema of Billy Wilder: Enjoy a presentation by film historian Max Alvarez who offers a sprawling tribute to the laughter and intensity of the great Billy Wilder, a screenwriter with a gift for provocation and dark humor as well as a knack for sophisticated adult romps, making him, many respects, ultimate commentator on American culture. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. $30-$35

 

Thursday, July 18

Cities of the Bible: Weaving together biblical archaeology, history and personal experience, Robert Cargill, assistant professor of classics and religious studies at the University of Iowa, leads a fascinating tour through Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Qumran, Babylon, Athens, Alexandria and Rome to reveal how their stories shed new light on the Bible. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET. $20-$25

The Art of Breathing: Yogic Philosophy and Practices: Join Linda Lang, a certified yoga therapist, as she offers an opportunity to refine your experience of the breath as a time-honored calming strategy. Learn how to embrace yogic thinking and specific breath techniques to cultivate a healthier relationship with your body and mind. This afternoon program is presented on Zoom from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. $25-$30

Tuesday, July 23

Among the Great Whites: Dive into the deep with journalist Susan Casey offers a presentation full of jaw-dropping images that’s part adventure tale and part natural history lesson. In it, she discusses her time spent among the great whites as well as the latest in great white shark research. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. $25-$30

Quantum Mechanics Demystified: Learn how physicists really think with Sean Carroll, a theoretical physicist who is known for his unique approach to sharing physics with a broad audience. In this lecture, Carroll takes on quantum field theory—how modern physics describes nature at its most profound level. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $20-$25

 

Wednesday, July 24

The Magnificence of Mozart Concertos: Tune in as pianist and scholar Rachel Franklin explores how Mozart built the modern concerto form and shaped our contemporary expectations of virtuosity allied with expressive power, and finds intersections among classical and jazz music, film scores and the fine arts.  This is the first of two afternoon sessions, presented on Zoom from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET. $50-$60

 

Thursday, July 25

Court Life in 17th-Century London: A Visitor’s Guide: Go back in time with Robert Bucholz, a history professor at Loyola University, who evokes the experience of being present in a drawing room at Hampton Court Palace at the end of the Stuart Age when gathering meant an opportunity for increasing one’s power and, ultimately, catching the eye of the ruler. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET. $20-$25

 

Friday, July 26

Under the Tuscan Sun: Summer Wine Vacation Adventures with a Top Sommelier: Spend a fascinating evening of wine and culture as you travel the world with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in a series of delectable wine-tasting adventures. The first session in the summer series focuses on Tuscany. The immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience. This program is presented on Zoom from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $70-$80

 

Monday, July 29

Krakow: Off the Beaten Path: Wander around Krakow with tour guide and author Christopher Skutela who leads you off the beaten path in the city, revealing sites where tourists don’t tend to go. Explore historic neighborhoods and get a breath of fresh air at Kosciuszko Mound and Bielany Hermitage and Woods. This afternoon program is presented on Zoom from 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. ET. $20-$25

The Battle of Remagen: A Pivotal Moment in WWII: Join military historian Mitch Yockelson as he shares the story of the Battle of Remagen—an intense battle for the Americans to cross the only remaining bridge spanning the Rhine River—and learn how this pivotal action ultimately shortened the war in Europe. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET. $20-$25

 

Wednesday, July 31

Thomas Jefferson and the Nuances of Leadership: Examine the question of what a wealthy, white, slave-owning aristocrat has to teach us about the nature of American leadership, especially political leadership, with historian John Ragosta in this interesting evening program. Presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. $20-$25

To view the Smithsonian Associates digital program guide, visit smithsonianassociates.org. 

Lisa K. Friedman | READ MORE

Lisa K. Friedman is an author and essayist living in Washington, D.C.