WASHINGTON, DC.- “Modernism in American Silver: 20th-Century Design” opens at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum on Sept. 16 and runs through Jan. 22, 2006. The exhibition is organized by the Dallas Museum of Art and begins its national tour at the Renwick Gallery.

“Modernism in American Silver” will highlight more than 200 outstanding works, from Art Deco to contemporary, by the foremost designers of production silver. Widely recognized figures such as Eliel Saarinen, Erik Magnussen, Robert Venturi, Michael Graves, Elsa Peretti and Richard Meier are among the featured designers. Many of the works included in the exhibition are from the Dallas Museum of Art’s Jewel Stern American Silver Collection.

“This landmark exhibition in the decorative arts field showcases an unparalleled collection of American silver. The stylistic breadth and aesthetic quality of these works are exceptional,” said Elizabeth Broun, The Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. “It is a privilege to have ‘Modernism in American Silver’ launch a national tour at the Renwick Gallery.”

The exhibition’s primary goal is to chart the stylistic design history of modern American production silver from 1925 to 2000 and reintroduce to the public the many designers working in the industry. The exhibition also will explore economic and cultural factors that influenced silver design, manufacture and marketing across more than seven decades and seven major thematic areas.