Art for the White House: A Changing Portrait of America

Art for the White House: A Changing Portrait of America is a special conversation presented by the Arts Club of Washington in partnership with the White House Historical Association. Author and historian Leslie Greene Bowman will discuss how American history is represented through more than 500 paintings, illustrations, and sculptures collected for the President’s House since John Adams moved into the unfinished White House on November 1, 1800. The program is presented in celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States.

Bowman is president emerita of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which operates Monticello, and has held leadership and curatorial roles at museums including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library. She also served on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House by presidential appointment under Presidents Biden, Trump, Obama, George W. Bush, and Clinton.

When: Thursday, October 22, 2026

Showtimes: Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; the talk begins at 6:30 p.m. The event concludes at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets: $30 for Arts Club members and their guests; $40 for non-members. Members are charged $30 per person through their account, and guests must be registered.

Access: Open to the public.

Featuring: Leslie Greene Bowman, author of *Art of the White House: A Changing Portrait of America*

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

Venue: Monroe Parlor, Arts Club of Washington

Address: 2017 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

Presenter: The Arts Club of Washington, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.