Opening Celebration: "Big Things for Big Rooms"

Name: Opening Celebration: "Big Things for Big Rooms"
Start: 2026-02-20T18:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-02-20T20:00:00-05:00
Location: Independence Avenue at Seventh Street, SW, Washington D.C., DC, United States, Washington, District of Columbia 20024

Schedule

Fri Feb 20 2026 at 06:00 pm to 08:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Independence Avenue at Seventh Street, SW, Washington D.C., DC, United States, Washington, District of Columbia 20024 | Washington, DC

All passes have been claimed, but take heart: we always have room for walk-ups! Entry will be granted—first-come, first-served—as space allows.
---
🎟️ FREE!
Register at: https://s.si.edu/4qt5ClF
Questions? Email [email protected]
Hirshhorn Insiders, email [email protected]
🌱 ABOUT
Families and visitors of all ages are invited to a special evening as we celebrate the opening of "Big Things for Big Rooms." Step into this stunning showcase of 10 immersive, large-scale works from the late 1960s through today that redefine the museum experience. The exhibition features a roster of contemporary art pioneers including a drape by abstract painter Sam Gilliam, a shimmering gold work by influential Brazilian Neo-Concrete artist Lygia Pape, an optical installation by renowned Light and Space artist Robert Irwin, and many more. We invite you to stand face-to-face with monumental art that demands a “big” room—and your full attention.
Jazz artist Elijah Balbed will perform in a special activation of Rashid Johnson’s monumental steel and live plant installation, The "Changes" (2025) at 7 PM. Johnson’s living sculpture offers a captivating experience not to be missed.
After the performance, take the opportunity to circle back to some of the Museum’s talked-about exhibitions:
- "Basquiat × Banksy" (extended through September 7)
- "Laurie Anderson: Four Talks"
- "Adam Pendleton: Love, Queen"
Be sure to carve out time to visit "Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960." This ongoing exploration of the Museum’s extensive holdings has received a major rotation, welcoming 54 new artworks into the exhibition in January 2026. Discover masterworks by major figures like the American modernist painter Jacob Lawrence and contemporary abstractionist Lesley Vance and new acquisitions, including a striking sculpture by Thomas Houseago.
Feeling inspired? Get creative at our hands-on art-making station. Cap off the night by treating yourself to delicious refreshments for purchase from our partners at Dolcezza. Hirshhorn Insiders, reserve your passes and enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.
---
Image credit: Rashid Johnson, "The Changes," 2025. Powder-coated steel, live and plastic plants, shea butter, ceramic, books, and light fixtures. Museum purchase with funds provided by Ralph J. and Esther Gindi, Gregory K. Mondre, and The Gerbert Foundation, 2025. © Rashid Johnson. Photo: Rick Coulby