Renwick gallery: Explore craft and design in American culture
![Renwick Gallery. Washington DC, United States. Credit: Carry on Caro](https://carryoncaro.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_0344-1150x863.jpg)
A DC museum that’s home to forward-thinking exhibitions.
The Renwick Gallery is located only a few steps away from the White House in the heart of Washington DC. It’s a perfect pit stop for those who are visiting the area, especially during the summer.
Named after the architect, the Renwick is one of the prettiest locations in the city; this museum is housed in a 160-year-old building, which was the first in the country specifically built to become an art museum.
In fact, the building hosted the Corcoran’s (DC’s famous art school), collection of American and European art until the early 1970s. It was only during the American Civil War that the Renwick was used for something other than housing art – it was converted to a military warehouse and headquarters.
Relevance of craft
In modern times, the Renwick Gallery opened its doors in 1972 to showcase the relevance of craft and design in American culture. Over time, the Gallery has evolved to feature different expressions and definitions of craft – centered around an avantgarde collection.
Featuring a variety of multimedia works, the museum’s collections ranges from a variety of multimedia mediums, with materials including is clay, fiber, glass, metal, and wood. The Renwick is home to forward-thinking exhibitions from contemporary and modern American artists who are pushing the boundaries while redefining our idea of “craft”.
Expect to find a permanent collection which is filled with unusual pieces. Handcrafted objects including quilts, bowl, and masks offer moments of reflection by prompting questions on the meaning of craft, as well as how it’s relevant to both the present moment and future.
![Renwick Gallery. Washington DC, United States. Credit: Carry on Caro](https://carryoncaro.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_0340.jpg)
Renwick Gallery. Washington DC, United States. Credit: Carry on Caro
Temporary exhibits
Here are some of the exhibits we enjoyed the most while visiting the Renwick gallery:
Janet Echelman’s 1.8 Renwick (until January 2025): Suspended from the ceiling, this colorful fiber and lighting installation aims to” examine the interconnections between human beings and our physical world.” The changing lights cast shadow drawing in colors that move from wall to wall. All in all, it is quite an immersive experience as the piece not only hangs above your heads, but plays with dynamic perspectives.
The massive form hanging from the ceiling is inspired by the data recorded as the 2011 tsunami rippled across the Pacific Ocean towards Japan. The geologic event was so powerful that it shifted the earth on its axis and shortened the day by 1.8 millionths of a second – which explains the title of this exhibit.
Sharing Honors and Burdens: Renwick Invitational 2023: This is the first All Native American or Native Alaskan collection featured in the Renwick Invitational. Consisting of 55 pieces on exhibition by six artists, the collection symbolizes the honors and burdens connecting people to one another. The artists are Joe Feddersen, Lily Hope, Ursala Hudson, Erica Lord, Geo Neptune (Passamaquoddy) and Maggie Thompson.
This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World: This exhibit was conceived to celebrate 50 years of the modern Renwick gallery. It features 135 objects artworks made by a diverse group of American artists featuring stories of resilience, methods of activism, and highlights craft’s ability to spark conversations about race, gender, and representation.
![Renwick Gallery. Washington DC, United States. Credit: Carry on Caro](https://carryoncaro.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_0313.jpg)
Renwick Gallery. Washington DC, United States. Credit: Carry on Caro
How long do you need at the Renwick Gallery
The Renwick Gallery has only two floors so it’s quite compact. An hour will give you plenty of time to see all the exhibits.
Opening hours and entrance fees
The Renwick Gallery is open from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. As with other Smithsonian institutions, entrance is free of charge.
Accessibility
All areas of the building are served by elevators. Accessible restrooms are also found throughout the museum.
![Renwick Gallery. Washington DC, United States. Credit: Carry on Caro](https://carryoncaro.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_0311.jpg)
Renwick Gallery. Washington DC, United States. Credit: Carry on Caro
How to get to the Renwick gallery
The Renwick Gallery is located at Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street, NW. The closest Metro stations are Farragut West (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines) and Farragut North (Red line).
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