Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Smithsonian American Art Museum has announced that Elizabeth A. Eisenstein and DPI chair Deborah Willis have been appointed to the museum's Board of Commissioners. Commissioners meet twice a year and advise the director on various matters, including proposed acquisitions. Both will serve for a four-year term.
"These two new commissioners bring important expertise and connections to help fulfill SAAM's mission of celebrating the creativity of artists whose work reflect the American experience and global connections," said Stephanie Stebich, The Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. "Dr. Willis is a noted scholar, a former Smithsonian staff member and is connected to contemporary art directions through her own photography and the work of her son artist Hank Willis Thomas (DPI '98)."
"I am delighted and honored by this appointment," said Willis. "I have a long history here at the Smithsonian as a visitor, researcher, consultant, advisor and former curator and believe I will be able to draw on this varied history from time to time. In my role, I hope to have an impact as we collectively engage in broad discussions about aesthetics, the collection and framing public and scholarly programs about cultural and artistic expressions."