National Postal Museum Will Host Guest Artist Program

The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum is hosting its summer Guest Artist Program with stamp artist Katie Kirk. From June through October, five free programs will offer visitors of all ages opportunities to learn about the process of designing and illustrating a U.S. postage stamp.

Stamp artists have the extremely challenging task of depicting the shared history, culture and beliefs of an entire nation on a 1-inch square piece of paper. They work to find the perfect balance between the countless perspectives and experiences of the American people with their individual artistic visions. This summer and fall, visitors to the National Postal Museum can join the museum and Kirk as they examine a collection of themes illustrated in her original stamp designs and illustrations.

“At the National Postal Museum, we like to say that ‘every stamp tells a story,’” said Jessie Aucoin, the museum’s education and visitor experience director. “Through an incredible range of programs, stamp artist Katie Kirk will demonstrate just how true that is!”

“When an institution like the Smithsonian contacts you, you answer the call,” Kirk said. “Ever since first traveling to Washington, D.C., on a family vacation as a child and visiting all the amazing Smithsonian museums, I couldn’t have imagined one day being asked to be a guest artist at the National Postal Museum. As someone who thoroughly enjoys learning about new things and connecting with people, having the chance to explore modes of education and create something lasting—it’s a dream come true.”

A list of the onsite and virtual programs is below:

Shapes in Nature
Tuesday, June 18; 10:30 a.m. 
This onsite program is designed for children ages birth to 7 years, but all are welcome. Known for her bold, geometric designs, Kirk will lead young learners on an exploration of her use of shapes in animal stamps. They can enjoy a story time, play corner and hands-on craft activity. Registration is not required.A Love

A Love Story: Expressions of Love on Stamps
Thursday, July 25; 2 p.m. ET
This virtual program is designed for families with young children. Love comes in many forms and can be expressed in a countless number of ways. Throughout history, artists have used many different techniques and images to show how people show their love. Kirk will explore just some of the interesting designs used to represent love on postage stamps.

Behind the Design: The Art of the Stamp
Thursday, Aug. 8; 7 p.m. ET
This virtual program is designed for learners of all ages. What does it take to make a postage stamp? How are cultural identities and historic events clearly conveyed on such a small canvas? Kirk pulls back the curtain and discusses the design process with a stamp art director Antonio Alcalá and recent stamp artists Don Clark, Always with Honor (Tyler and Elsa Lang) and Ellen Surrey. Registration required.

Holiday Stamps Family Festival
Saturday, Sept. 14; 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. 
This onsite program is designed for learners of all ages, especially families with young children. The winter holidays will come to the museum early this year. Visitors can come and meet Kirk in person while the museum celebrates the new 2024 Christmas stamps issued by the Postal Service. There will be crafts, games and all sorts of winter holiday family fun. Registration is not required. Prior to the start of the Holiday Stamps Family Festival, the National Postal Museum will host the First Day of Issue ceremonies for the two 2024 Christmas stamps. Additional information on this event to come soon.

Spooky Soirée
Thursday, Oct. 3; 6 p.m.
This onsite program is designed for adults age 21 and above. Participants can get in the Halloween spirit with Kirk at the museum’s Spooky Soirée. It is an opportunity to explore the museum after dark, and the museum will bring the cemetery crafts, hair raising history and devilish drinks; visitors can bring the fun. Costumes are optional. This event is free and open to the public—advanced registration is encouraged but not required. If the program becomes too crowded, preference will be given to those who previously registered.

About Katie Kirk

Kirk is an illustrator and designer based in Minneapolis. Known for her bold colors and playful geometry, her minimalist style aspires to convey a lot using very little. She is a cofounder of Eight Hour Day, a creative studio she runs with her husband, Nathan Strandberg. Founded in 2005, their studio has worked with clients such as Target, Google, Amazon, IKEA, The New York Times and Apple, among others. Often inspired by folk art and midcentury design, her love of symbolism, cooking and nature are repeated themes in her work.

About the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum

The National Postal Museum is devoted to presenting the colorful and engaging history of the nation’s mail service and showcasing one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of stamps and philatelic material in the world. It is located at 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., Washington, D.C., across from Union Station. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). For more information, visit postalmuseum.si.edu. Follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest and YouTube.

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