3rd Street Southwest & Maryland Avenue Southwest

Celebrate the transformational power of clay and the evolution of the iconic outdoor sculpture installation Always Becoming (2007) by Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha'p'o Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]) at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, Saturday and Sunday, April 25–26, 11 AM–5 PM. Join the museum for a weekend of stories, artist demonstrations, hands-on activities, performances, and more centered on the relationship between art and the earth.&nbsp;<a href="https://americanindian.si.edu/events/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D197221264" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Check out the full schedule of activities</a>.
While at the museum, support sustainability at the&nbsp;Mitsitam&nbsp;Native Foods Cafe. This April, chef Alex Strong is commemorating Earth Day with a special&nbsp;Chef’s&nbsp;Table on April 22,&nbsp;showcasing&nbsp;seasonal, sustainably sourced&nbsp;ingredients.&nbsp;On April 26, join her again at the&nbsp;Chef’s&nbsp;Table for elk quiche and Southwest quiche.&nbsp;For a sweet treat, enjoy a cherry blossom cupcake&nbsp;from the&nbsp;cafe to&nbsp;celebrate the flavors and beauty of spring in Washington, D.C.&nbsp;
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the museum will host programs&nbsp;reflecting on&nbsp;the ever-evolving nature of the country, communities, and future we share through the unique lens of Always Becoming. The&nbsp;site-specific sculptures by Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha'p'o Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]) on the southern exposure of our Washington, D.C.&nbsp;museum were constructed using Native building techniques. Made entirely of natural materials, including clay, straw, sand, soil, and wood, the sculptures were designed to reveal their inner structure over time. Their transitory nature reflects the relationship between Indigenous cultures and the land.&nbsp;
This project received funding from the Smithsonian’s <a href="https://www.si.edu/250" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Shared Future: 250</a>, a Smithsonian-wide initiative supported by private philanthropy and created to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and advance the Smithsonian vision for the next 250 years.&nbsp;
Image:&nbsp;Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha'p'o&nbsp;Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo], b. 1953).&nbsp;Always Becoming, 2007-present, Washington, D.C., USA. Sculptures made of natural materials. Museum commission from the artist, 2007. 26/5840. Photo by Norwood Photography&nbsp;

Local Event: Living Earth Festival: Always Becoming

District of Columbia

Washington DC

District Of Columbia

Living Earth Festival: Always Becoming

Celebrate the transformational power of clay and the evolution of the iconic outdoor sculpture installation Always...

On Memorial Day, honor Indigenous service members who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. This year, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian honors the legacies of Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne, 1933-2025) and Harvey Phillip Pratt (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, 1941-2025) and their invaluable contributions to the museum. 
Hear from Native veterans, make prayer ties to remember loved ones, and pay your respects during a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Native American Veterans Memorial.
SCHEDULE
<ul>
 <li>10:30 AM | Opening Prayer, National Anthem, Posting of the Colors, Welcome Remarks</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li>10:30 AM-5:30 PM | Hands On: Prayer Ties and information table about the National Native American Veterans Memorial</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li>10:30 AM–5 PM | Veterans Hospitality Suite</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li>1 PM | Veterans Remembered: Family Tributes</li>
 <li>1:30 PM | Remembering Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Harvey Phillip Pratt (Panel Conversation)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li>3 PM | Wreath Laying Ceremony at the National Native American Veterans Memorial</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li>4:30 PM | Retiring of the Colors</li>
</ul>
 
*Programs and schedule subject to change, additional details to be announced. 
Major funding provided by The Boeing Company.

Image: Photo by Norwood Photography for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian

Local Event: Service and Sacrifice: Memorial Day 2026

Service and Sacrifice: Memorial Day 2026

On Memorial Day, honor Indigenous service members who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed...

Marielba Alvarez

Washington Metropolitan Area

Georgetown

Arlington County

Arlington

Rosslyn

Virginia

Clarendon-Courthouse-Rosslyn

Clarendon

Michael O'Connell

Prince George's County

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Maryland

Montgomery County

Takoma Park

Ballston

Alexandria city

Del Ray

Riverdale Park-University Park

Loudoun County

Leesburg

Bring your family and friends to the Purcellville Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, April 25 from noon to 7 p.m. rain or...

Purcellville Music and Arts Festival

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Marielba Alvarez, Neighbor

Posting Activity

Living Earth Festival: Always Becoming

APR

25

11:00 AM

Washington DC, DC

Service and Sacrifice: Memorial Day 2026

MAY

23

10:30 AM

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Purcellville Music and Arts Festival