Solstice Saturday
June 23
5:30 p.m.–midnight
Celebrate the 2018 summer solstice at this special after-hours event, with museums open until midnight across the Smithsonian. As the stars align above the National Museum of African Art, experience the art and cultures of Africa through outdoor performances, art activities, unique tours, and late-night access to our exhibitions.
Take one of our pop-up tours (20 min.) and discover how artists from Africa look to the skies for a galaxy of inspiration! DJ KWERK will be spinning Afro beats under the night’s sky in the Fountain Garden from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. While listening to his Afropolitan mix, design and your own constellation with our STAR activity in the Haupt Garden. Then, create an origin story for your imagined cosmic constellation. Bring the whole family and make it a memorable night!
Solstice Saturday (June 23) is a Smithsonian-wide celebration with special events, programming, and late-night hours at Smithsonian museums. It is presented in collaboration with the citywide By the People festival (June 21–24).
For a city-wide schedule, visit www.si.edu/solsticesaturday
See Me
A Program for Adults with Dementia and their Care-partners
Fumban, Grassfields region, Cameroon
Male figure
Late 19th century
Wood, brass, cloth, glass beads, cowrie shells
160 x 39.4 x 36.8 cm (63 x 15 1/2 x 14 1/2 in.)
Gift of Evelyn A.J. Hall and John A. Friede, 85-8-1
Photograph by Franko Khoury
2–3:30 p.m.
Registration is required for this program
Recommended for audiences 18+
The experience of looking closely allows us to appreciate beauty, exchange ideas, share memories, or simply respond to the work in front of us. Every fourth Tuesday of the month, the National Museum of African Art invites individuals living with dementia, together with their care-partner, to join us for special tours highlighting the joy of close-looking.
Each month’s interactive and multisensory tour will feature a different theme:
- April 24: Afrofuturism: African Art in Pop Culture
- May 29: Snapshot: Art and Selfie
- June 26: Making a Splash: Water in African Art
- July 24: Repurposed: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Art
- August 28: Dance Off: African Art in Motion
Registration is required for this program. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate drop-in participants. For more information and to register, please contact the Smithsonian Accessibility Program at access@si.edu or 202–633–2921.
