The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today Daytime Tour

The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today presents the artwork of the 46 finalists for the fifth triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Every three years, artists living and working in the United States are invited to submit a recent portrait to a panel of experts chosen by the museum. This year’s 46 finalists were selected from over 26,600 entries. The first-prize winner will receive a cash award and a commission to create a portrait of a living person for the museum’s permanent collection. The winner of the 2016 competition was Amy Sherald, the artist subsequently selected by Michelle Obama to paint the portrait of her that is now on view at the museum.

The Outwin encourages artists to challenge the definition of portraiture and to tell their own diverse and compelling American stories through a variety of media. “The diversity of this edition’s entries, from geographic origin to subject matter, reflects the multifaceted story of contemporary America. The exhibition promises to pay attention to the LGBTQ community, American workers, and those facing injustice because of their race or immigration status,” says Kim Sajet, Director of the National Portrait Gallery.   

General Information

• Meet your Smithsonian Associates Rep by the Information Desk, inside the G Street entrance, no later than listed start time.
• While there is metered street parking and several parking lots and garages near the museum, space is limited, your best bet is using METRO.