New Smithsonian exhibit shows the complex variety, life of ants

October 1st, 2009 Lucas, Spielberg to showcase Norman Rockwell's artWASHINGTON — Filmmakers George Lucas and Steven Spielberg are joining forces with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, combining their collections of Norman Rockwell's art in a Washington exhibit next year. The plans announced Thursday will culminate in the first major exhibit to explore connections between Rockwell's images of American life and the movies.

September 22nd, 2009 Lasorda portrait installed at Smithsonian museumWASHINGTON — The National Portrait Gallery has installed a painting of Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda on his 82nd birthday. The life-sized portrait, measuring 60 inches by 50 inches, was installed Tuesday at the Smithsonian Institution.

September 22nd, 2009 Exhibit showcases painting in ancient RomeROME — Frescoes that once adorned Roman villas are going on display in a new exhibit that shows the tastes of ancient Rome's wealthy through landscapes and the representation of gods and goddesses. The exhibit "Roman Imperial Painting," which opens Thursday, follows the development of Roman painting over the centuries and its influence on Medieval and Renaissance art, officials said Tuesday.

September 22nd, 2009 Show on 2nd half of Renoir's career opens in ParisPARIS — An exhibit opening Tuesday in Paris showcases artwork from the second half of Auguste Renoir's career, when he changed course in his 40s to experiment with a more classical style. "Renoir in the 20th Century," showing at the Grand Palais, includes some paintings, drawings and sculptures that are little known to the public.

September 16th, 2009 Bob Dylan to exhibit new paintings in DenmarkCOPENHAGEN — Denmark's National Gallery says it will exhibit some 100 works by Bob Dylan, including some of his newest acrylic paintings. The museum says some 30 canvasses from Dylan's forthcoming Brazil Series have never been put on exhibit before.

August 31st, 2009 Tickets on sale for terra cotta warriors exhibitWASHINGTON — Fifteen of China's famous terra cotta warriors are coming to Washington in November for an exhibit at the National Geographic Museum. It's the final U.S.

August 22nd, 2009 Judge approves Michael Jackson memorabilia dealLOS ANGELES — A judge has approved a deal between Michael Jackson's estate and concert promoter AEG Live to exhibit the King of Pop's memorabilia, over the objections of the singer's mother. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff approved the deal after an evidentiary hearing Friday.

August 20th, 2009 Office furniture exhibit emphasizes art of designMUSKEGON, Mich. — The art of office furniture design is the focus of a new exhibition of Herman Miller Inc.

August 19th, 2009 Ben Stiller stars in film for Smithsonian visitorsWASHINGTON — Following his second "Night at the Museum," Ben Stiller is leaving a legacy at the Smithsonian Institution. The star of "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" is now also starring in a new orientation film for the museums on the National Mall.

August 17th, 2009 Degas exhibit at New Orleans home where he livedNEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans house where Impressionist painter Edgar Degas lived for a time is hosting an exhibit about his sojourn, including a larger-than-painted reproduction of the most important work he did in the city. The house, now known as the Degas House, was owned by relatives of the artist's mother and dates to the early 1850s.

July 16th, 2009 Astronaut Alan Bean opens Smithsonian art exhibitWASHINGTON — Alan Bean uses bits of lunar dust and tiny slices of space suit patches to bring the moon closer to people who will never have a chance to go there. The Apollo 12 moon walker left NASA 28 years ago to chart a new career as an artist, inspired by his astronaut experience.

July 6th, 2009 Events, exhibits 40 years after man on moonOn July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon. Forty years later, a variety of museums, space centers and other institutions are marking the anniversary with events, exhibits, concerts and lectures.

June 23rd, 2009 Rock Hall to put on Woodstock anniversary exhibitNEW YORK — Peace and love will last a lot longer than three days at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, which is celebrating Woodstock's 40th anniversary with a new exhibit. From July 3 to November 29, the Cleveland-based center will feature items from the legendary three-day weekend in upstate New York.

May 14th, 2009 Hollywood lands in DC for 'Museum' premiereWASHINGTON — Ben Stiller and Amy Adams are bringing Hollywood to the capital of the museum world for the premier of "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian." The world's largest museum complex will roll out the red carpet Thursday for stars including Stiller, Adams, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson and Hank Azaria. Claire Brown, a spokeswoman for the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum says staffers are buzzing about the attention from the movie, a sequel to 2006's "Night at the Museum." "We really wanted to expose kids to what the Smithsonian has to offer," she said, noting the Wright brothers' original 1903 airplane, which hangs in the museum, will fly again on screen.

May 12th, 2009 Tearful Yoko Ono talks about John Lennon exhibitNEW YORK — A new John Lennon exhibit is particularly emotional for his widow, Yoko Ono. Besides guitars and other items, it also includes a paper bag containing the bloody clothes from the night he was shot to death.