American Icon: The US Flag in Art

American Icon: The US Flag in Art

If your kids have studied the American flag in school or just know it from seeing it everywhere, this exhibition at the National Gallery of Art gives them a completely different way to think about it. The show brings together paintings, photographs, sculptures, and mixed media pieces by artists who have used the flag as a subject, a symbol, and sometimes a question mark. You will see Jasper Johns' famous flag paintings alongside Gordon Parks' photographs, Faith Ringgold's story quilts, and work from dozens of other artists spanning the last two centuries. The whole thing ties into America's 250th anniversary, and it runs through December, so there is no rush to get there this week.

What surprised me is how much my kids got out of it. I expected them to glaze over at a gallery show, but the variety keeps things moving. One room has a flag made entirely of different materials, another has photographs that tell stories about people and communities through the flag in the background. The Faith Ringgold quilts are a hit with kids because they are colorful, they tell a story, and quilts as art just feels different from paintings in a frame. Older kids and tweens who are starting to learn about history and social studies will pick up on the deeper themes, like how different artists used the same symbol to say very different things about the country. For younger kids, the visual punch of bold reds, whites, and blues in big format artwork is enough to hold their attention.

The National Gallery is free to enter, and this exhibition is included with general admission. The gallery has family restrooms, a coat check, a cafe on the ground level, and it is fully stroller accessible. You can pair this visit with time in the Sculpture Garden right next door, which is especially nice if you want to let the kids burn off energy outside after walking through the galleries. The exhibition is in the West Building, so head there when you enter from the Mall side. On weekdays it is noticeably quieter than weekends, and you can take your time in each room without feeling like you are blocking other visitors. If you are planning a National Mall day with the kids this summer, this one is worth adding to the list.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Head to the West Building. The exhibition is there, not in the East Building. Enter from the Mall side (Constitution Avenue entrance) and ask at the information desk for directions to the show.
• ✓Visit on a weekday if you can. Weekend crowds at the National Gallery can be heavy, especially during summer. Weekday mornings are much calmer for kids.
• ✓Talk to your kids about what they see. Ask them why they think an artist painted the flag that way, or what feeling a photograph gives them. The show works better when kids are engaged rather than just looking.
• ✓Combine with the Sculpture Garden. Right next door, free to enter, and a good place for kids to move around after the gallery. In summer, the fountain area is a gathering spot for families.
• ✓The cafe is on the ground level. Decent food, reasonable prices for a museum. Good for a snack break if you are spending a couple hours.
• ✓Strollers are welcome. The gallery is fully accessible. There is a coat check near the entrance if you want to drop bags and jackets before heading into the galleries.