Get ‘Otterly Amazing’ Insights From Smithsonian Zookeepers and More August Programs

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.  

 

Thursday, August 1

Otterly Amazing: Spend an evening with Erin Whatley and Paul Bradenburger, animal keepers with Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to learn fascinating details about the natural history of these furry, semi-aquatic mammals and discover some behind-the-scenes secrets of otter care. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET. $25-$30

Chinese Art: From the Bronze Age to the People’s Republic: In this first of a scintillating four-part course, Professor Robert DeCaroli from George Mason University explores the beginnings of Chinese civilization through ceramics, bronzes, jades and other artifacts from the Neolithic era to the Zhou dynasty. Participants in the Smithsonian World Art History Certificate program earn 1 credit. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. $100-$110

 

Monday, August 5

Kathy Reichs: Fire and Bones Creating a D.C. Thriller: Meet forensic anthropologist, author, and producer of the TV series, Bones, Kathy Reichs as she discusses the inspiration behind her new novel and explains how she staged the thriller in the Smithsonian’s back yard. This program will take place in person at the Smithsonian’s Ripley Center from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. $25-$30

 

Tuesday, August 6

The Provenance Trap: How Forgers Fool the Art World: Investigate the world of forgers with art  historian Noah Charney as he uncovers the "provenance trap," a methodology that successfully led to forgers fooling experts. Charney dives into a series of intriguing, quirky and enlightening case studies involving famous forgers Han van Meegeren, John Myatt, Eric Hebborn, Ely Sakhai, and Shaun Greenhalgh. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET. $20-$25

 

Wednesday, August 7

Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, and Hal David: The Synergy of Genius: Savor the music with lecturer and concert pianist, Rachel Franklin, who explores the unique power and depth of the creative relationship between these three great artists, and shares the extraordinary legacy of masterpieces including “Walk on By,” I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” and many other timeless favorites. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. $25-$30

The Borgias: A Scandalous Family Portrait: Study the times of the famous family with art historian Elizabeth Lev as she highlights the family’s political aspirations, religious conflicts and artistic commissions, framed in a society rife with historical intrigue. Discover what happened when Church and State intertwined for the gain of a single dynasty, as well as the surprising epilogue to the Borgias’ inevitable downfall. This afternoon program is presented on Zoom from 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. ET. $20-$25 

 

Thursday, August 8

The Spice Race: The West’s Enduring Obsession with Asia: Writer and former foreign correspondent Adam Tanner discusses the history of global politics centered on Asia’s alluring commodities. He examines why the central Western focus on Asia, often downplayed in the American narrative of modern history, is essential to understanding our world today. This afternoon program is presented on Zoom from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. $25-$30

The California Gold Rush: Study the Gold Rush with Katy Bartosh, curator of education at the Gold Rush Museum in Augurn, California and gain an understanding of the how, who, and why of this historical event is important to our greater history. Bartosh also exposes the negative impacts faced by the indigenous population and non-white immigrants. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $20-$25

Saturday, August 10 

Sunrise Walk at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens: Experience Virginia’s Meadowlark Botanical Gardens with American Horticultural Society international travel guide, Keith Tomlinson. On a 3-mile hike on paved paths and mulched trails, learn about the colorful history of the garden. The tour meets at the garden’s visitor center at 9750 Meadowlark Garden’s Court, in Vienna, Virginia. 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. ET. An additional sunrise walk is scheduled for August 16. $50-$75

 

Tuesday, August 13

Rodin and the Birth of Modern Sculpture: Discuss the father of modern sculpture with independent art historian Judy Scott Feldman who explores how Rodin’s fascination, even obsession, with earlier figural traditions inspired his fusion of tradition and innovation in “The Kiss,” “The Gates of Hell,” and in his powerful “Monument to Balzac.” 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, August 14

The Rise and Fall of Agrippina: Empress of Rome, Mother of Nero: Tune in to a fascinating exploration of Agrippina and the complexities of her legacy—forever intertwined with the rise and fall of Nero­—and how she impacted the history of ancient Rome with historian Colin Elliott, associate professor of history at Indiana University and host of the weekly Pax Romana Podcast, which shares engaging stories and sources from the Roman Empire. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. $25-$30

 

Tuesday, August 20

Zhang Yimou and Gong Li: The Director and His Muse: Film historian Max Alvarez leads an electrifying cinematic journey through the nine collaborations between Zhang and actress Gong Liu. He explores the changes in cinema in the wake of the devastating Cultural Revolution when themes of politic power and Chinese totalitarianism caused great ire among political authorities. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. $30-$35 

The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon: Join author Heath Hardage Lee for an in-depth discussion about Pat Nixon. Drawing on new interviews and archival sources, Lee discusses the essential nature of this first lady, an empathetic, adventurous, self-made woman who wanted no power or influence but who connected warmly with both ordinary Americans and people from different cultures she encountered worldwide. This program is presented on Zoom from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $20-$25

 

Wednesday, August 21

Marie Laurencin: Painter of Sapphic Paris: Join Barnes Foundation docent, Joe Caliva, as he discusses Laurencin’s career including her self-portraits, collaborative decorative projects, early Cubist paintings, and signature work—feminine and discreetly queer—that helped define 1920s Paris. Participants in the Smithsonian World Art History Certificate program earn 1/2 credit.  This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET. $25-$30

Railroads and the National Parks: Partners in Western Preservation: Ride along with Patricia LaBounty, curator of the Union Pacific Collection at the Union Pacific Museum, as she draws on archival photographs to illustrate the surprising role railroads played in the development of Western national parks and examines the history of some of their most beloved sites. This program is presented on Zoom from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. $25-$30

 

Thursday, August 22

Emperor Justinian: Savior or Destroyer of the Roman Empire?:  Examine one of history’s greatest and most controversial rulers with David Gwynn, associate professor in ancient and late antique history at Royal Holloway, University of London. Gwynn tackles the questions: Was Justinian an autocratic tyrant whose ambitions left his empire overstretched and vulnerable? Or did his achievements preserve the legacy of imperial Rome and allow Byzantium to survive the rise of Islam less than a century after his death? This afternoon program is presented on Zoom from 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. ET. $20-$25

Friday, August 23

Wines of the Mediterranean Coast: Spend a fascinating evening expanding your knowledge of wine as you travel the world with award-winning sommelier Erik Segelbaum on a wine-tasting adventure. The summer vacation series explores wines from the Mediterranean coast. The immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit—available for pickup from a local Washington, DC wine bar—to enhance the experience. The program is presented on Zoom from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. $70-$80

 

Monday, August 26

Jacob Lawrence and The Migration Series: Learn about one of America’s greatest painters of Black life and a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance with art historian and LaNitra M. Berger, director of African and African American studies at George Mason Univeristy. Berger examines one of Lawrence’s best-known and critically acclaimed projects, The Migration Series. Participants in the Smithsonian World Art History Certificate program earn 1/2 credit. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET. $20-$25

 

Wednesday, August 28

Museum of the Convent of San Marco:  Visit Florence with renaissance art expert Rocky Ruggiero who delves into the art and history of the famed convent-turned-museum, housing one of Florence’s most spectacular collection of sacred art ,and whose construction was the first Renaissance-style monastic structure. Participants in the Smithsonian World Art History Certificate program earn 1/2 credit. This program is presented on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET $30-$35

 

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.