Art for the White House: A Changing Portrait of America

Art historian and author Leslie Greene Bowman presents a special conversation about how the White House’s art collection reflects the changing story of the United States. The program, organized with the White House Historical Association in celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday, explores more than 500 paintings, illustrations, and sculptures collected for the President’s House since John Adams moved into the unfinished mansion on November 1, 1800.

Bowman is president emerita of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and the author of *Art of the White House: A Changing Portrait of America*. Her career has included curatorial and exhibition work at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, leadership of Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, and service on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House under Presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden. The evening includes hors d’oeuvres and an open bar.

When: Thursday, October 22, 2026

Showtimes: Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the talk begins at 6:30 p.m. The scheduled event window is 6:00–8:30 p.m.

Venue: Monroe Parlor, Arts Club of Washington, 2017 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

Tickets: Arts Club members and guests: $30 per person. Non-members: $40 per person.

Registration: Guests must be registered. Member registration charges $30 to the member’s account.

Speaker: Leslie Greene Bowman, author, historian, and president emerita of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

Program: Bowman discusses the paintings, illustrations, and sculptures acquired for the White House and the ways those works convey American history.

Admission: The program is open to the public.

Refreshments: Hors d’oeuvres and an open bar will be provided.