May

2024 Volunteer Art Showcase: Reconnecting with the Smithsonian

The Office of Visitor Services and Volunteer Management hosted the third Smithsonian Volunteer Art Showcase, calling for original creations as a response to the prompt: Capture the spirit of Reconnecting with the Smithsonian. With more than 70 submissions, volunteers enthusiastically answered that call!

The submissions were featured during the Smithsonian Volunteer Appreciation Event on May 1st. Now, we’re displaying them on Volunteer Voices so that you can take time to enjoy every piece. Scroll through the collection below to view the work of our talented and passionate volunteers.

Charla Andrews

National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

“Maya”

Stephen Baird

National Air and Space Museum

“Cherry Blossom on the Mall”

Adelle Banks

National Museum of African American History and Culture

“Vendor to Visitors”

Tom Bigford

National Museum of Natural History

“Cymbiola imperialis”

“Phalaenopsis Summer Beach”

Marjorie Colletta

National Museum of American History

“Papillon 1”

“Papillon 2”

Cristine Cooper

Smithsonian Associates

“Where’s My Ball?”

Cynthia Cox-Grollman

National Museum of African American History and Culture

“Welcoming Back”

Lynn Dennis

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Eileen Doughty

Smithsonian American Art Museum

“Rhapsody Watershed”

Sierra Ellemberger

National Museum of Natural History

“La Bruna Icon”

Ajibola Epoyun

National Air and Space Museum

Untitled

Walter Faillace

National Museum of Natural History

Insects are very smart about camouflage. This Tall Goldenrod plant was hosting many Locust Borer beetles (left insect) and Eastern Yellowjacket wasps (right insect) with perfect Batesian mimicry, hiding them from hungry predatory birds.

Eastern Yellowjacket

“Goldenrod”

Susan Fine

National Air and Space Museum

“Realizing a Vision”

Teresita Foster

National Museum of the American Indian

“Ahh”

“Drama in the sky of Cusco”

Helen Furey

Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

“Miss Kokomars”

“One-Point Meditation”

“Study of Van Gogh’s Cottages Painting”

Ann Gordon

Smithsonian American Art Museum

“Faces”

Ann Gough

National Museum of American History

Untitled

Elizabeth Hawkins

National Museum of African American History and Culture

“Peggy’s Cove, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada”

Sharon Hensley

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

“Happenstance Trees”

Kathy Hrechka

National Museum of Natural History

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon Spa Crystal Evaporate Growth: I grew crystals from a spa water sample at Blue Lagoon in Iceland. The lagoon is 70% sea water, and 30% hydrothermal fresh water. Magnification 30X. Crystals are clear with a background of blue felt, under a clear glass dish.

“Blue Lagoon”

“Blue Lagoon 2”

Snow Crystal Photomicrography: 30X magnification, Snowfall January 18, 2024 Alexandria, Virginia (Temperature 30F). Kathy sets up her microscope and 5×5”velvet platforms on her front porch, to capture snow crystals. She attaches her Samsung 23 cell phone to her Olympus binocular microscope to enjoy the natural world. Ice is a mineral.

“Snow Crystals 1”

“Snow Crystals 2”

Melanie Grant Jones

National Museum of African American History and Culture

“DeBeque, Colorado”

Wendy Jordan

National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

“Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin”

“Sunset Fish”

Nancy Keohane

Smithsonian Associates

“Colorado Rainbow Trout”

Thomas Kibalo

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

“A Storm Awakens”

“Ibises in Flight”

“Sunset over Halifax River, Florida”

Becky Lavash

Smithsonian Gardens

“Inset Circles”

“Infinity Fan”

Judith Levine

Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

“Judith Jamison”

Scott Loomer

National Air and Space Museum

“Bison in the winter snow at Yellowstone National Park”

“A face only a mother could love”

Phyllis McIntosh

National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

“Wool Braided Rug 1”

“Wool Braided Rug 2”

Peter McSwain

National Museum of American History

“The Castle in a Different Light – Infrared”

Carol ‘Renee’ Miller

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
National Museum of African American History and Culture

“Into the Fine Earth World Oyster Healthy Lifestyle”

Julian Olivari

Donald W. Reynolds Center

“Paphiopedilum”

Renelda Peldunas-Harter

National Museum of Natural History

“Flying into an SI Spring”

Lisa Rosenstein

Smithsonian Associates

“The Golden Mean”

Jahanara Saeed

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

“Connecting Colors”

Carol Schoenfeld

Donald W. Reynolds Center

“Magic Night”

Liz Sisk

National Museum of Natural History

“Hands Holding Beetle”

Roberta Stevens

Smithsonian Associates

“Fairies in the Marsh Water”

Rajeshwar Swarup

National Air and Space Museum

“Highway 90” 1

“Highway 90” 2

Swarup, Rajeshwar – NASM – Poetry Submissions

James Thorne

National Air and Space Museum

Lyrics:

The people come to visit us throughout the years
To see the things that fly in space, and atmospheres
To feed their curiosity
They learn the history
And that is why we are the Volunteers

Chorus:

Air and Space (Air and Space!), Air and Space (Air and Space!)
We are the Volunteers of Air and Space
Air and Space (Air and Space!), Air and Space (Air and Space!)
We are the Volunteers of Air and Space

For many years the program has been on the run
With all the visitors, the work is never done
We help them nearly every day
And lead them on their way
They come to see the sights, and have some fun

(Chorus)

It is an honor for this opportunity
To be a humble part of our community
We work together, bringing light
To every form of flight
With kindness and with generosity

(Chorus)