Sip and Sculpt: Alberto Giacometti
Sip and Sculpt: Alberto Giacometti is an adults-only evening program at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden that blends art appreciation, hands-on creativity, and socializing. Inspired by the influential Swiss modern artist Alberto Giacometti, the event opens with a brief guided introduction to his life and work, using sculptures from the museum’s collection exhibition *Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960* as a starting point. Participants then move to the Hirshhorn Art School, where artist George Tkabladze leads a hands-on sculpture workshop encouraging experimentation with form, texture, and figure-making in the spirit of Giacometti. Throughout the evening, guests can enjoy light refreshments and Swiss chocolate, courtesy of the Embassy of Switzerland, in a relaxed social setting.
The program is presented in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland and artist George Tkabladze, offering a unique opportunity to explore Giacometti’s artistic legacy while creating an original sculpture to take home. Tkabladze, a Georgian American sculptor and educator with more than three decades of international experience, brings a distinctive perspective shaped by the post-Soviet era, with an artistic focus on the human condition, resilience, and psychological depth. He is a resident artist at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia, and teaches sculpture and drawing at the Smithsonian Associates Studio Arts Program and the Art League School. His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, including the Smithsonian, the London Art Biennale, and Venice Biennale collateral exhibitions.
When: August 11, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Ave SW & 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20560.
Tickets: Admission is free, but registration is required. Advance Insider tickets become available Friday, July 24, at 7 PM EST, with limited space. General tickets open Monday, July 27, at 7 PM EST. Capacity is limited and registration is first-come, first-served.
Ages: This program is for adults ages 21 and older. A valid ID is required at check-in.
Artist / Workshop Leader: George Tkabladze, a Georgian American sculptor and educator, will lead the hands-on sculpting workshop.
Format: The evening begins with a short talk and gallery exploration of Giacometti’s sculptures in *Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960*, followed by a practical sculpture workshop in the Hirshhorn Art School.
Refreshments: Light refreshments and Swiss chocolate provided by the Embassy of Switzerland will be available during the workshop.
Run time: The program runs approximately two hours, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Partnership: Presented in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland and artist George Tkabladze.
Contact: For questions, email HirshhornExperience@si.edu. The organizer is the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; phone 202-633-1000.