Top: Sharon Robinson and her artwork (Photos: Courtesy of Sharon Robinson, a non-traditional holiday ornament and a detail of a collage, "Emerging From The Earth")
Bottom: Roberta Gasbarre (Photo: Amanda Corbett)
Registration Note: This members-only free program requires registration.
Discover Fridays at Noon
Mark Fridays at Noon on your calendar to savor the liveliest and most interesting conversation you’ll hear all week. Designed exclusively for Smithsonian Associates members, this monthly video podcast series invites you to go behind the scenes and into the working lives of some of the most intriguing people from all across the Smithsonian and Washington’s worlds of culture, science, and education.
This Month's Featured Guest
The work of mixed-media artist Sharon Robinson, a popular instructor in Smithsonian Associates’ studio arts program, has a distinctive personal signature. Her abstract collages and acrylic paintings incorporate a lively and varied range of materials, techniques, textures, and symbols, and motifs—elements that add depth and dimension and reflect what she terms “the richness of the fabric of life.” Even her seasonal decorating is guided by her artist’s eye. Yours can, too, as she shares some great tips on finding new inspirations for your holiday home and hand-crafted gifts.
“Gift giving for holidays and special occasions is a time-honored tradition across the cultural spectrum,” Sharon says, “and I have tried to take a fresh approach to that with my non-traditional ornaments.” Constructed from mini-canvases and embellished with a variety of papers, fabric, trim, beads and other materials, they often use images of famous people, vintage magazine pictures, and similar materials “to pay homage to individuals and times gone by, but with a modern interpretation.” Don’t miss learning some imaginative ways to add new sparkle to the season!
Meet the Host
Led by Roberta Gasbarre, a multifaceted veteran arts educator and creator (and conversationalist extraordinaire), each informal 30-minute chat offers the perfect break to brighten your Friday and send you into the weekend with new insights from an array of engaging and thought-provoking guests.
“I love talking to people who are passionate about what they do, no matter the disciplines in which they work. It’s exciting to learn what makes them tick, where they find inspiration, and—especially now—how they remain innovative and imaginative when there’s a challenge to face. I always come away with something new and fascinating to spark my own thinking.” —Roberta Gasbarre
Past Fridays at Noon Programs
- October 15: Elizabeth Beck, director, Smithsonian Women’s Committee
- November 5: Mandy Van Heuvelen, cultural interpreter manager at the National Museum of the American Indian, and film director Kelly Gardner discuss creating the multimedia museum theatre project Hear Me Say My Name.
Patron Information
- If you register multiple individuals, you will be asked to supply individual names and email addresses so they can receive a Zoom link email. Please note that if there is a change in program schedule or a cancellation, we will notify you via email, and it will be your responsibility to notify other registrants in your group.
- Unless otherwise noted, registration for streaming programs typically closes two hours prior to the start time on the date of the program.
- Once registered, patrons should receive an automatic email confirmation from CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org.
- Separate Zoom link information will be emailed closer to the date of the program. If you do not receive your Zoom link information 24 hours prior to the start of the program, please email Customer Service for assistance.
- View Common FAQs about our Streaming Programs on Zoom.
