Note from the Atelier July 4, 2026 Hi There Reader... Happy Fourth of July! As I was thinking about this week's newsletter, it occurred to me that oftentimes, Artful Traveler is inspired by places far from home. We wander through European villages, visit museums in Paris and admire castles in Germany. But this week feels like the perfect time to celebrate the beauty waiting right here in our own backyard. This watercolor was part of last fall's Watercolor Calendar Challenge, where, for each month of the year, we painted a destination that is especially beautiful to visit during that time of year. July's destination was America in Summertime. Looking back at this little flag waving over the shoreline made me smile and reminded me how much I enjoyed that challenge. (If you missed it, don't worry. It may just make a return appearance!) As our country celebrates its 250th birthday, I hope this month's newsletter inspires you to explore a little closer to home. Whether it's visiting a national park, discovering a museum you've never been to or simply taking the scenic route on your next drive, there is plenty of beauty right here at home. Happy painting, happy travels and Happy Fourth! Be safe and enjoy...

July's Don't Miss Art Exhibitions

Celebrating America's 250th Birthday

America's 250th National Gallery of Art Washington, D.C. As part of America's 250th anniversary celebration, the National Gallery of Art is inviting visitors to explore 250 years of American creativity through a yearlong series of exhibitions and installations. Drawing from more than 75,000 works in its collection, the museum highlights both iconic masterpieces and lesser-known treasures that reflect the nation's history, people and evolving identity. Rather than presenting a single narrative, the exhibitions encourage visitors to consider the many voices, perspectives and experiences that have shaped America through the eyes of its artists. Admission is free, making it an ideal stop for anyone visiting Washington, D.C. this year. Through December 6, 2026

Freedom Dreams Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ​Freedom Dreams at the Barnes Foundation invites visitors to experience American history through the lens of five contemporary Black artists working in film, video and installation. Created as part of the nation's 250th anniversary, the exhibition explores memory, identity and cultural history while asking what freedom has meant, and continues to mean, across generations. Thought-provoking and deeply human, Freedom Dreams offers an opportunity to see familiar stories from fresh perspectives and discover the power of art to deepen our understanding of the American experience. Through August 9, 2026

America 250: Common Threads Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas As part of America's 250th anniversary, America 250: Common Threads explores how artists have documented, celebrated and questioned the American experience across two and a half centuries. Historic documents, quilts, paintings, photographs and everyday objects are woven together to reveal the many threads that connect our shared history. Visitors are invited to reflect on the people, traditions and acts of civic participation that have helped shape the nation. Through July 27, 2026

Revolution! Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City ​Revolution! brings together paintings, prints, decorative arts and historical objects to explore the roots, course and legacy of the American Revolution. Spanning the years before, during and after the Revolutionary War, the exhibition examines the people, events and ideas that shaped a new nation while revealing the many perspectives woven into its history. Through September 7, 2026

A Nation of Artists Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia ​A Nation of Artists is a landmark exhibition presented jointly by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Featuring more than 1,000 works spanning three centuries, the exhibition traces the evolving story of American creativity through paintings, sculpture, photography, decorative arts and textiles. By bringing together familiar masterpieces alongside works by historically underrepresented artists, it invites visitors to discover the many voices, traditions and experiences that have shaped the nation's artistic legacy. At PAFA through September 5, 2026

US at 250:Civic Action in Chicago Chicago History Museum, Chicago, Illinois ​US at 250: Civic Action in Chicago explores the many ways ordinary people have shaped their communities and, in turn, the nation. Through art installations, historical artifacts and interactive experiences, visitors are invited to reflect on the ongoing work of democracy and the role each of us plays in civic life. Rather than looking only at the past, the exhibition encourages meaningful conversations about how history continues to influence our communities today. Through 2026

Celebrating America, One National Park at a Time

Apparently getting older has its parks... er, perks.

One of the things I love about Europe is the sense of history. Everywhere you turn, there seems to be another castle, cathedral or village that has been standing for hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of years. We don't have the same kind of history here in the United States. What we do have, though, is something equally extraordinary: vast landscapes of breathtaking beauty.

This month, as we celebrate America's 250th birthday, I'm reminded that some of our greatest national treasures aren't castles or cathedrals or villages. They're our mountains, forests, deserts, rivers and coastlines. They're our protected lands. They're our National Parks.

When I think about my favorite travel moments, I think about my visits to national parks. Watching the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. Standing beneath the impossibly tall redwoods in Northern California. Wrapping up in a blanket while gazing at the myriad of stars from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park. Those were all amazing, unforgettable moments.

America's national parks have been inspiring travelers for more than 150 years. In 1872, Yellowstone became the world's first national park, setting a precedent that countries around the globe would eventually follow. Today, the National Park Service cares for more than 400 sites, including 63 national parks, preserving extraordinary landscapes, wildlife and historic places so future generations can experience them, too.

In fact, in a few weeks I'll be heading to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and I recently went to the nps.gov site to get the requisite pass(es). And BONUS! Turns out, since I am, ahem, no longer considered youthful, I qualified for the $80 lifetime America the Beautiful Senior Pass. I couldn't pass it up.

If you haven't visited one of our national parks lately, perhaps this is the year to add one to your travel list. And if you, too, are no longer youthful, take advantage of the lifetime pass. You can't go wrong.

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