See & do · Galleries
Renwick Gallery
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Images provided by Google Places
Museum branch showcasing handicrafts, textiles & decorative arts by contemporary national artists.via Google
The Smithsonian's branch for contemporary craft and decorative arts, steps from the White House.
- Good to know
- Free admission; highly photogenic installations.
Reviews from Google
The butter cow was incredible. I seriously could not get over it. This is a fabulous space that I highly recommend visiting. It is not the flashiest Smithsonian, but it shows items you would never expect. A fun space with low crowds. I will be sad when they take the butter cow away.
I visited the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the IVLP program. With the U.S. preparing for its 250th anniversary, this was a perfect deep dive into American history through art. My highlights: The Butter Cow: Absolutely fascinating! A life-size cow sculpted from 700 pounds of butter by artist Sarah Pratt. State Fair Exhibit: The glowing pyramid of preserved food jars is a stunning display of color and tradition. Cultural Echoes: I loved seeing the historical connections between American textiles and African culture. Hogwarts Vibes: The "library" and whimsical sculptures made me feel like I was at Hogwarts!
First time visit was to the State Fair exhibit to see the butter cow. Had a toddler and a baby with me and was nervous about taking little ones to a fancy museum. They were both fascinated by the fish room. Who knew a toddler could sit still and be memorized for ten minutes straight?! The room with the giant corn was also a hit. Super grateful to the staff who let the little one run around in a safe space where he could marvel at the biggest corn he will ever see. An excellent escape from the brutal weather.
One of my favorite galleries in the US. Been there multiple times. Curation work is outstanding, they do a great job gathering powerful narratives from a wide spectrum of artists from different backgrounds. Staff is always friendly and kind. Would definitely recommend.
I have really enjoyed the Renwick in the past. I wanted to stop by today to see a piece that I thought was in their permanent collection (a neon light that says “this present moment used to be the unimaginable future”), not knowing that the current exhibition is a collection of quilts & a cow made of butter. If crafty stuff is your vibe, you may enjoy this show—which runs through September—but I found it to be disappointing, compared to some of the thought-provoking modern & contemporary art the Renwick has had before. Also, the upstairs room with gold streamers looks like the aftermath of a sad prom.