I always enjoy coming to the Renwick. It always has very interesting art exhibitions that attracts even people who might not otherwise be interested in art. It has the ability to draw all types of people. The building is built in the 1800s, but does offer handicap/stroller accessibility by entering in the bottom of the building with elevators going to all 3 levels. Its location is key since it is in proximity to the White House offering tourists the chance to visit something they might not otherwise would have planned when visiting DC. Staff are very friendly and helpful if you have any questions. Docents/security people are located in all rooms of the exhibitions to ensure that people use common sense when visiting. Do not test them because they will kick you out of the place if you cross any boundaries. I saw it first hand last week when I visited. They don't play!! Parking is limited. I would advise to park in a garage or to access this via the metro at Farragut West. read more

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I went here in August 2016 and it was honestly so remarkable! There are two floors with lots of really cool exhibits, from gigantic stacks of paper in one room to another one that looked like a long tree picked apart in layers on its side. Absolutely incredible. Quick tips: + Completely free + Take public transit or taxi in + The wait is worth it! I'm not sure how busy it is these days, but I would highly recommend this gallery for some experiential art. Personally my fave on the National Mall. :) read more

Came here after a recommendation from the gal working at the National Geographic Museum and it was absolutely mind-blowing. The main exhibit was all about Burning Man which I probably scoffed at in the past as that 'hippie thing out in Cali' without having a real clue about it. Upstairs was this handmade wooden 'church' kind of room/exhibit in which you could add your thoughts/prayers/ideas onto a piece of wood and add it to the creation. A younger me would've definitely mocked this as well but it was strangely therapeutic to jot down some stuff and leave it there and a lot of other people really purged their demons in there as well. It's part of the Smithsonian family so it's free and it's well worth the visit. Amazing gift shop as well. read more

Great gallery! There's a temple room right now where you can reflect and honor loved ones. I felt really touched walking in the space. The Museum is small yet there is a lot to look at. I highly recommend coming on a weekday to avoid long lines. They close at 5:30 so come before then! read more

Renwick Gallery - Art Galleries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Love this place. I've been lucky to visit a few times and each time the exhibitions have been really awesome and interesting. Most recently caught the Burning Man Exhibit and loved it, it was so intriguing and beautifully displayed. Highly recommend the Renwick Gallery when visiting DC! read more

Another awesome museum and did not disappoint! I enjoyed the burning man exhibit - I probably will never go to burning man so I was nice to be able to enjoy the art! I could imagined that if I lived here I would come in just for some peaceful alone time. The art and sounds are very calming and a great place for meditation. My fave was the temple, what a wonderful idea!! read more

I love museums. The Renwick is across the street from the White House. There are wonderful exhibits at the museum. The last time we visited, the entire museum was dedicated to "Burning Man." This place is popular. I would try to visit during a weekday or early in the day. It is worth visiting the museum web site to stay informed of events or exhibitions. read more

Ahh Renwick Gallery. Always new and exciting. It never gets common or as usual. Just a glance can get your heart pumping. New exhibit is very inspiring: https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/burning-man The most beautiful artistic depiction of a woman body in "Truth is Beauty" is there. The inscription at the base of the "Truth is Beauty" statue reads, "What Would The World Be Like If Women Were Safe?" Sometimes, the words seems unnecessary - that is how I feel with this exhibit. I posted the pictures instead. read more

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Always a beautiful and thought-provoking time at the Renwick Gallery. It's a great building, not too big and overwhelming, and free. What's not to love? Came in just in time to catch "Murder is Her Hobby: The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death". A total of 19 miniature unsolved crime scenes on display perfectly hand-crafted by my new idol Frances Glessner Lee in the 1940's. Each one accompanied by a little write-up of what happened giving every visitor a chance to play detective and pretend to solve it. She was the first ever female police captain in the US and she was in her 60's when she made these. Again, my new idol. The line to get into the museum was very long, but it moved quickly. It was a nice sunny day and it was the last weekend for this exhibit, so it was annoyingly packed inside. So hot and crowded, but brought happiness to my true-crime loving heart. Even if you missed this one, there is always something truly unique and beautiful housed inside the Renwick. The second floor has some equally impressive permanent displays too. Tourist or not, I highly recommend coming if you've never been. read more

Small Smithsonian museum with fun exhibits that can take about 1 hour or less to get through. I love when they have a large art installation in the Grand Salon where you can lay on the carpet and admire and think. The museum isn't overwhelming or pretentious and is very modern. The museum is very close to the White House if you want to visit both. read more

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Since it's reopening in 2015 after a two year renovation, I've been very impressed with their rotating exhibits. You can spend about 1-2 hours here, and is a very intimate manageable museum when you are overwhelmed with the other larger Smithsonian. Museum is free and is located steps away from the White House and entrance is on a nice wide pedestrian only street patrolled by many White House police. I've seen all visiting exhibits here so far, and I was very impressed with the art that they bring in. It is thought provoking and makes you think of how the piece is relevant to our life today. The pieces are usually immersive, contemporary, and very innovative. Definitely recommend after you visit the National Gallery of Art (which is my favorite). The red carpet has already gotten dirty because of all the visitors, and the upstairs water fountains don't work well sometimes. However, there is a grand room on the top floor usually displays a ceiling piece which enables you to sit or lie down on ground to admire the work. So pretty good place to take a rest! read more

It was a nice museum. Very small and had a lot of great pieces. A lot of traffic as expected it only has 2 floors. read more

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5.0 - absolute favorite gallery in DC, plus it's FREE I've been several times over the years ranging from the Wonder Exhibit to the most recent Burning Man The waits to move around are typically short (15m tops to actually enter) and you could easily spend between 1-2 hours here with plenty of photo opportunities and staring into the beautiful art work They have so many interesting sensory exhibits with vibrant visuals and colorful, virtual reality, animations, sound, etc. Would recommend coming with friends a wonderful time. A MUST SEE IN DC. Tips/Takeaways: -MUST SEE -As with all the DC exhibits, it is etiquette to wear your bag on your side -Bathrooms can get crowded for the females side from what I have seen -Would recommend return 1x/3-6months with changing exhibits or even just to return to old ones -Great walking distance to the rest of the national mall read more

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Great gallery! If you come on the weekend look for parking near Cosi. The first floor has an interesting murder she wrote mystery exhibit and the second floor has modern exhibits. Note they don't have a coffee shop inside, but their giftstore is very unique with jewelry choices. The first floor exhibit is rather dark, but flashlights are provided. read more

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I only know about the Renwick in its current form, that being the post-closed-for-renovation-for-two-years form, so I can't compare to how it used to be, but its current form is pretty dope. I first visited in 2015, for the exhibit that opened the newly reopened museum, Wonder (see pic), and I was struck by how cool and eccentric the different rooms were (each artist chosen took over a different room in the two-story museum). I recently went back and checked out their Burning Man exhibit (see pic) and I thought that exhibit was pretty great too. I've never been to that California festival before so it was great to get a small piece of it here in DC. read more

Renwick Gallery - Part of the Wonder exhibit (2015) - Art Galleries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I went to see "No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man" with a friend on a very rainy day. The exhibit was incredible! The level of detail is amazing. The exhibit will be in place until January 2019 so make sure you pay a visit! read more

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It's free. It's right by the White House. I recommend everyone stop by. This is a really great museum in a pretty unassuming house steps. The building has its own history told in a display on the second floor of the museum. That was interesting as was the changing art display. The first floor had an interactive garden exhibit and the upper floors rather modern art and sculpture. Take 30 minutes and walk through as you explore the Mall area. read more

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Honestly what a great little museum! Came here for the last days of the Burning Man exhibit and it did not disappoint! The first floor had all experimental artists that were displayed so beautifully. I love how they encourage you to take pictures and interact with the art... it really sets it apart from the typical stuffy art museum. Up the beautiful stairs is the second floor which had huge installations: my personal favorite was the sound bath, so relaxing! Also the wood chapel was breathtaking! TL;DR: Get your butt there before end of January!! read more

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I visited the Renwick for their special exhibition of Burning Man, iconically during the actual week of the big event in Nevada. I have seen so many things about the event and yet never had an opportunity to go, so this was the closest I could get and I was excited. It did not disappoint, from entering to the grand stairs to flowing through the rooms and finding some of the most interesting pieces to capture my attention. I just sat in awe in the experience. The temple room was amazing so much detail and such an interesting compilation of people and medium in a single room. But that wAs just one of many things which spawned a true sense of wonder through such intricate details. Words cannot explain just how amazing this exhibit was!! read more

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3 stars for a cool but small Smithsonian museum. When it comes to Washington DC, there is no shortage on museums. Whether you want to see art or history or pretty much anything else that involves a museum, you can do it here. Some of the best (and free) museums are the Smithsonian museums. While most of them are located on the National Mall, a few of them are elsewhere in the city. One of those "elsewhere" museums is the Renwick Gallery. Located on the corner of 17th and Pennsylvania Ave right by the White House, the Renwick Gallery is a decent museum to check out if you know what you are getting. While the venue has a few really interesting pieces (the large Charlotte man statute is pretty neat), the crux of this museum is the Burning Man exhibit. Located on the second floor, this large room is quite a site to see. However, the exhibit is only something you would look at for about 10 minutes or so, and the rest of the museum's exhibits can be seen pretty quickly and have often been closed off when I've went. In other words, while interesting to see, this museum isn't a spot you should search out as a central part of your DC trip. Rather, this is a place to check out if you are here for a while and have some extra time. Overall, the Renwick Museum is worth being included amongst the Smithsonian collection. However, the "one trick pony" nature of the venue only makes it worth checking out if you have some spare time and are in the area read more

Truly exceptional museum! First of all, this is tan architectural gem, saved from destruction in 1962 by Jackie Kennedy. Then, the permanent colleciton on the 2nd floor is filled with the most amazing individual pieces of creative artistry. The second floor also has the huge Burning Tree festival wooden temple. But even great, are the exhibits on the first floor: the holographic nature exhibit, and then the out-of-this world ceramics from Michael Sherrill. Much better than the Cooper -Hewitt in NYC! Don't miss this place!!! read more

People there are super nice but it's really not much and I don't get it. If you're close, then check it out, but the 2 floors with the very few works is not worth traveling any kind of distance. The highlight was the room with carpet where my kids were able to practice their tumbling. read more

I came here for the first time during my lunch break on a Tuesday afternoon. I was not disappointed! The gallery itself is not very big but it's very impactful. David's Best Temple and the beautiful light sculpture by Leo Villareal when you first enter the gallery are the stands out to me. I became emotional in David's Temple as I looked at pictures and read people's beautiful messages to their loved ones that had passed. It's definitely a piece in the gallery that encourages you reflect on life and honor those that are no longer with us. The led light sculpture by Leo Villareal is unlike anything I've seen before! Even capturing it on video or in picture does not do it justice. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to really examine each of the art pieces in-depth so I will definitely be back. Also, for anyone visiting DC or even if you are from the area, I encourage you to visit and experience something different read more

Renwick Gallery - Volume by Leo Villareal - Art Galleries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Small gallery, might be my favorite in DC. Very cool exhibits. It wasn't crowded when we visited.

Loved the gallery, would recommend. The art was unique and definitely worth the stop. read more

Renwick Gallery - Art Galleries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I always love going here. I'm an art fanatic and I feel as though Renwick gallery hosts a lot of great contemporary art exhibits that aren't too far fetched or mind blowing. It has a sense of encapsulating the viewer and making them feel as though they're a part of the art. My favorite exhibit is always the one at the top of the stairs in the largest exhibition hall. It's always great to see the detail that artists put into large exhibitions and the meaning their artwork conveys. Sometimes exhibits are interactive and it's funny to see what people put on the walls, although I do believe it's intrusive and doesn't always turn out the best. Whenever I come to DC I always try to come here. I know there's always something impressive to be found at the Renwick Gallery! read more

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This was a fun stop while walking around by the National Mall. There are a few floors with separate rooms that have different exhibits. Sounds as if yet change out regularly. There was no entry fee. We were able to see some beautiful exhibits including a room filled with wood carvings. Even though it was busy when we stopped (4-5pm on a weekend) it was relaxing walking room to room and seeing the art. read more

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Small, yet cozy enough, beautiful stuff to explore! Definitely worth to take a look. In the middle of Washington, you will have enough time to explore other places. read more

This is one of my favorite galleries in the city! There are always interesting cultural themes from the artists that are selected. Currently, they are showing half of the Burning Man exhibit and some artists with a challenge to the conventional definitions of craft. The first floor typically features temporary exhibits that rotate about twice a year, mostly high art. The second floor is more famous art pieces that tend to stay for longer periods of time. This is a branch of the Smithsonian, and is free. I would definitely recommend as a place to take a friend or family member visiting from out of town. read more

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another beautiful gallery in the DC area! the architecture on the outside is gorgeous and the installations inside are so nice. read more

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I found "Murder Is Her Hobby" at Renwick Gallery to be a singularly beautiful and interesting art exhibit. Its subject, Frances Glessner Lee, godmother of forensic science, constructed her "Nutshells," eerily adorable miniature crime scenes, as a teaching tool for the students of what was then known as "legal medicine." In fact, the dollhouses not only stand as artifacts of the then-fledgling field of medical jurisprudence, but also as memories of a worldview that was dispassionately egalitarian. Cute gift shop + clean washroom + affable, approachable docent + well-thought-out exhibit = an eye-popping outsider art experience. read more

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This cool little art gallery near the White House won't take very long to explore, but is well worth the modest investment of your time if you're ever in our nation's capital. The contemporary Renwick offers a change of pace from the more traditional fare in most of the other Smithsonian museums, and its high-ceilinged galleries make it the perfect setting for the 'Art of Burning Man' exhibit that's open until late January 2019. If you're like most people, chances are slim you'll ever make it to the Nevada desert to experience the fascinating Burning Man Festival firsthand. But with its collection of artwork, costumes, sketches, and other paraphernalia, the Renwick exhibition may be the next best thing. There's even a room-sized recreation of the Temple, the incredible bohemian centerpiece that's burned to the ground at the conclusion of every festival. It's nearly impossible to describe the look and feel of the Burning Man festival, but the Renwick exhibit does a great job giving you a sense of the atmosphere and scale of this unique event. I highly recommend taking the time to visit the exhibition while it's in D.C. -- it's an experience you won't soon forget! read more

We came for the No Spectators/Burning Man exhibit and as long time burners, I was impressed. There were a few costumey things that didn't fit at all (feathers! a no-no on playa and outfits so elaborate that you would never take to the the playa) but the rest of it was well down. My group of five had the same emotional experience in the Temple there as we have at Burning Man. I'm not going this year but being able to do the Temple was a pretty cool experience. The gallery itself was beautiful and if I lived near DC, I imagine I would be a frequent visitor. read more

Very interesting art here by a variety of artists. My favorites were a 'temple' room made of wood with very intricate design and cool artistic drinking cups made by a Gulf War vet. read more

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Fairly surprised there aren't more reviews for Renwick. Exhibits do change and I'm not sure there's any permanent displays. The "Wonder" was a very popular exhibit and had a rainbow made of colored strings. As of 2018, there is a Burning Man exhibit showing Burning Man history as well as art people brought to Burning Man in the past. Expect to spend 60 to 90 minutes here. read more

5th visit in 25 years. Never disappoints. I'm so inspired by what people can make with their hands. The burning man Temple was a big ka- pow in the heart... breathtaking! The ceramicist's display of organic shapes was brilliant. Porcelain and steel and heart and soul. I'm No One is a favorite of the permanent collection. read more

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Beautiful space with contemporary art. Renwick is unique because it focuses on up and coming artist which I appreciate. The interior itself is beautiful and a work of art. The gallery is small so I'd recommend only carving out approximately 30mins to view the space. It is free and wasn't crowded at all so I was able to read about the art. read more

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Not huge, but a stunning 2-story gallery (both inside and out), just steps from The White House. Saw the "#nospectators" exhibit, which you should see if you have the chance before it closes on January 21, 2019 (note some of the exhibit will be taken down on September 16, 2018). And it's part of the Smithsonian, so the price is an awesome zero dollars. read more

We all have an artsy side to us even if we don't know it yet. And when you do appreciate art and history, DC is one of the better cities to be in. The Smithsonian galleries/museums (the Renwick being one of them) are free and if you've traveled around you know museum entrance fees can be expensive. I stopped in to see the Burning Man expo during my lunch hour. It was recommended to me by one of my coworkers. This expo will be up until Labor Day weekend I believe. Well, the museum is smaller than most and the expo only covered the two floors so I figured a quick 30-45 minute tour would do. I walked in, had my bags checked, and was asked to wear my book bag up front so as to not knock over any of the art pieces (my clumsy self would be THAT person) so I followed their request. I started my way through the first floor looking at the art pieces and reading the stories behind them. They also had a virtual reality activity where you could wear some VR glasses and participate in a Burning Man event. There were metal sculptures, pictures, paintings, videos, wardrobe and jewelry. All so interesting! But what took my breath away was the hall wide temple positioned upstairs on the second floor. The entrance to the temple has a sign stating the purpose of the temple - meant to be a place where everyone could mourn, contemplate, and share their sorrows with one another. The impressive part was that the template was an elaborate sculpture made of carved recycled wood. Visitors can adorn the temple with their personal memorials and inscriptions on these small wooden cards you're given at the gallery. Reading some the messages was the most captivating part of all, reading into random strangers' sorrows. It reminds you of the ones you've lost, in my case my grandparents, uncles, and aunts and even my pets. At the annual Burning Man festival the temple and all its messages are burnt as part of a ritual meant to bring healing. Reminds me of the Holy Week prayers us Catholics write in papers that are burnt on Holy Friday. The belief is the prayers will burn and make their way up to Heaven and so I assume the burning of the template has that same purpose, getting our message up to our loved ones. That whole experience made me cry. Anyway, if you're up in DC I definitely suggest visiting the Renwick before the Burning Man expo ends. I'm sure if you go at any other time of the year, you'd also enjoy yourself. read more

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This is one of my favorite art galleries and a great addition to the Smithsonian Institute. Entry is free, and the museum consistently rotates the installations and exhibits to reflect a similar subject. Unlike other galleries in the area, this one has large, mixed media installations from artists across the country. Wonder, Visions and Revisions, Connections were all unique, beautiful and impressive previous exhibits. I particularly liked Wonder with the illuminated fibers that spanned the entire ceiling as well as one that showed malformed, melted or partially destroyed pottery. Most recently I viewed The Art of the Burning Man which has mutliple rooms featuring various pieces from the Burning Man festival in Nevada. This included costumes, a room of playing pipes on a wall, an interactive train car and a chalkboard walled room among many other items. Most of the pieces moved, changed color or made a noise making for a very surreal experience. The docents and plaques provided a background and history as well. One of the highlights was a covered in intricately carved wooden pieces to give the effect of a cathedral. Here you could write your thoughts or dreams on the walls. I love that all the exhibits show a side of visual art that is normally not celebrated, drawing people (like me) who may not normally go to an art gallery. I definitely recommend visiting this as a local or tourist as it is very close to the White House, Mall and Farragut. You could easily spend 1-2 hours exploring and taking pictures. read more