Renwick Gallery

The Renwick Gallery is a museum dedicated to contemporary craft and decorative arts housed in a Gothic Revival building on Pennsylvania Avenue, just steps from the White House in Washington D.C. The two-story structure features exhibition rooms displaying works created from diverse materials and techniques.

William Wilson Corcoran commissioned architect James Renwick Jr. to design the building in the 1850s as a home for his art collection. The structure later gained National Historic Landmark status and is now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

The collection showcases American artists working with ceramics, glass, metal, wood, and fiber, blending traditional craft techniques with contemporary ideas. Visitors can see how materials transform into functional or purely expressive works that bridge everyday use and fine art.

The museum opens daily from 10 AM to 5:30 PM with free admission for all visitors. The accessible entrance is located on 17th Street, where information about current exhibitions is also available.

After renovation, visitor numbers jumped to 765,000 in 2016, a sharp rise from 164,000 the previous year. This surge reflects growing interest in contemporary craft and decorative arts within the capital.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1972

Founders: William Wilson Corcoran

Architects: James Renwick Jr.

Operator: Smithsonian Institute

Part of: Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian American Art Museum

Address: Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:30

Phone: +1(202)6337970

Website: http://americanart.si.edu

GPS coordinates: 38.89914,-77.03903

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:03