Smithsonian American Art Museum
McEvoy Auditorium and SAAM’s YouTube channel
Free | Registration required

Join the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Archives of American Art online or in person for an evening with artist Joyce J. Scott and Head of Collecting at the Archives of American Art, Josh Franco. Franco and Scott will discuss selected items from her papers, held at the Archives of American Art, as Scott shares memories about them. Scott is a MacArthur Fellow renowned for her figurative sculptures, innovative fiber art, and jewelry using bead weaving techniques, blown glass, and found objects. As an African American feminist artist, Scott fearlessly tackles challenging themes, including race, misogyny, economic disparity, history, and discrimination. Her work is currently on view in SAAM’s Renwick Gallery exhibition, Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women.

The lecture will be held in person and online on SAAM’s YouTube Channel.

Archive Live is a program series created by Josh Franco, a National Collector for the Archives of American Art. Franco created Archive Live to share the unique experience collectors have while working with artists in their homes and studios reviewing their papers. During this time, artists often share their memories and experiences associated with their papers, adding a new layer of context to the narrative. Archives Live recreates this usually private experience for the public. 

Know Before You Go

In-Person Attendees
The auditorium doors will close ten minutes after the published start time for the program, following introductory remarks. Latecomers arriving after this grace period will be admitted at the discretion of staff.

Virtual Attendees
Online participants must be subscribed to SAAM’s YouTube channel 24 hours in advance to participate in the chat and ask a question that may be answered live by the speaker during the program.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is able to create and share experiences like these thanks to funding from generous supporters like you. Thank you for ensuring that American art is available to all. Donate to support SAAM.