Kids, Art, Inspiration in a Book: Family Day at the American Art Museum

Lloyd Schermer, An American Puzzle
On exhibit at the Luce Foundation Center

Exhibition Concept Inspires Family Event

Inspiration was the word of the day Saturday, May 19, 2012.  Inspired by the exhibit Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage, the  Strike a Pose Family Day event brought kids, cameras, artwork and a book artist together.   Leibovitz, famous for her portraits, documented objects and environments that were formative in her development as a photographer in the Pilgrimage exhibit.  The kids attending were asked to find there own inspiration among  the artwork and architectural features at Luce Foundation Center at the American Art Museum (Smithsonian Institution) in Washington, DC.

The kids were provided with Polaroid cameras with film for 4 images and access to all of the artwork at the Luce Foundation Center. After they shot their four photographs, artist Sushmita Mazumdar  helped them craft a four page book with pockets to hold their images.

Workshop leaders demonstrating how to fold paper to make the book.

The kids deftly followed her example. The construction of the book created panels at the bottom to hold the photographs.

In addition to the photographs, commentary was added to explain their choices. I spoke with a number of the kids and they enjoyed telling me about the artwork they had seen and showing me their books.

What inspired me?  

I loved seeing the kids so engaged in their work and seeing the products of their labors.  I was also especially inspired by this artwork by Robert Hudson, After Wood.

Robert Hudson, After Wood. On exhibit at the Luce Center for American Art

The Luce Foundation Center for American Art is an impressive enclave in the historic building that houses both the National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum. The Center is made possible through a generous gift of the Henry Luce Foundation and is a study center and visible art storage facility. The Center contains thirty-five hundred paintings, sculptures, miniatures, craft objects, and folk art pieces from the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.