April at the National Portrait Gallery Includes FACE VALUE and More

"Face Value: Portraiture in the Age of Abstraction" will feature mid-20th century artists who were reinventing portraiture at a time when most agreed that figuration was dead as a progressive art form.

With more than 50 paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture from approximately 1945 to 1975, "Face Value" will highlight the innovations of American portraiture hiding behind the vogue for abstraction. Featuring artists such as Alice Neel, Elaine de Kooning, Robert Rauschenberg, Beauford Delaney, Alex Katz, Romare Bearden, Fairfield Porter, Jamie Wyeth and Andy Warhol, along with lesser-known artists, who pushed the boundaries of portrait traditions.

Open April 18 through Jan. 11, 2015

Special Programs

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Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company Artist-in-Residence Open Rehearsals | Saturdays, April 5 and 12, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday, April 14, 4 to 7 p.m.

Choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess and his dance company will hold public rehearsals for their second original dance work, "Confluence," in the "Dancing the Dream" galleries. The new piece will debut at the John F. Kennedy Center Feb. 7-8, and in the Portrait Gallery's Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard on Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., with a Q&A session following each performance.

National Portrait Gallery Pop Quiz: A Portrait of the Artist | Thursday, April 10, 6:30 p.m.

Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard

How well do you remember that Art History 101 class? Test yourself at the Portrait Gallery's self-portraiture-themed trivia night. The winning team will receive a prize at the end of the evening. Food and beverages will be available for purchase in the Courtyard Café.

Rhythm Cafe: The Life and Music of Thelonious Monk and Ornette Coleman | Saturday, April 12, 2 to 4 p.m.

Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium

In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Anacostia Community Museum and the National Portrait Gallery present a program about the life, contributions and music of Thelonious Monk and Ornette Coleman. Willard Jenkins, independent arts consultant, producer, writer and WPFW-89.3FM broadcaster, will moderate the discussion. Afterward, listen to the music of Monk and Coleman performed by the award-winning Howard University Jazz Ensemble.

Curator's Tour: Dancing the Dream | Saturday, April 19, noon

Portrait Gallery historian Amy Henderson leads a tour of the special exhibition "Dancing the Dream." Meet at the exhibition entrance on the first floor.

Meet the Author: James Kaplan on Frank Sinatra | Saturday, April 26, 2 p.m.

Author James Kaplan discusses "Frank: The Voice," a biography with "all the emotional detail and narrative momentum of a novel" (New York Times). Meet at the portrait of Frank Sinatra in "American Cool" on the second floor. Following the discussion, Kaplan will sign copies of his book in the G Street lobby. The book is available for purchase in the museum shop.

Family Programs

American Cool Family Day | Saturday, April 5, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard

Are you "American Cool"? Come to the Portrait Gallery and check out Elvis tribute artist Will Debley and the Blue Steele Band, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Quintet led by Leigh Pilzer, art projects and a docent-led tour of the "American Cool" exhibition.

Portrait Discovery Kits | Sundays,April 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2 to 5 p.m.

Saturdays, April 12, 19 and 26, 1 to 4 p.m.

Portrait Discovery Kits are an interactive and imaginative way for visitors to learn more about people who are in the Portrait Gallery's collection and their contributions to American history.

Portrait Story Days

Elvis Presley Sunday, April 6, 2 to 5 p.m.

Duke Ellington Sunday, April 13, 2 to 5 p.m.

Benny Goodman Saturday, April 26, 1 to 4 p.m.; Sunday, April 27, 2 to 5 p.m.

Young visitors and their families may drop in to listen to a story about an influential person in the Portrait Gallery's collection and create a piece of art inspired by his or her life and portrait.

Young Portrait Explorers: Isadora Duncan | April 14, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

G Street lobby

Toddlers up to age five and their adult companions are invited to become a Young Portrait Explorer and discover the National Portrait Gallery through history and art.Registration required: http://www.eventbrite.com/org/810710525.

Spring Break Programs

John James Audubon, reverse foil art | Monday, April 14

Georgia O'Keeffe , watercolor flowers | Tuesday, April 15

Andy Warhol, transparency collage | Wednesday, April 16

Faith Ringgold, collage quilt squares | Thursday, April 17

Looking for some fun activities for the kids during spring break? Searching for something creative and hands-on? Drop by the Portrait Gallery's education center for special Portrait Story Days from 1 to 4 p.m. Ages 4 and up with an adult.

Open Studio Fridays | Fridays,April 4, 11 and 25, 1 to 4 p.m.

First floor, education center, room E151

Join us on Friday afternoons for some creative fun! Visitors of all ages are welcome to explore different selections of art materials each week.