Barack Obama

Obama Portraits to Leave DC, Tour 5 US Cities

Visitors can view the portrait of Michelle Obama through Sunday, May 23 at the Portrait Gallery

By Camille Furst • •

obama portraits
Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama stands next to presidential portrait as he and former First Lady Michelle Obama have their portraits unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery on Feb. 12, 2018 in Washington, D.C. The former president’s portrait was painted by Kehinde Wiley while the former first lady’s portrait was painted by Amy Sherald.

The famous portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama that have been on display in the National Portrait Gallery will tour the country as part of "The Obama Portraits Tour" through spring 2022.

The tour will showcase the commissioned portraits in five cities.

It will begin in Chicago, from June 18 to Aug. 15, then travel to Brooklyn, where it will be showcased from Aug. 27 to Oct. 24.

From there, it will be in Los Angeles from Nov. 7 to Jan. 2, and then Atlanta from Jan. 14 to March 13.

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The tour will end in Houston, Texas, with the portraits on display from March 27 to May 30.

Visitors can see the portrait of Michelle Obama through Sunday, May 23 at the Portrait Gallery. The portrait is part of a special exhibition, “Every Eye Is Upon Me: First Ladies of the United States.”

Jessica Curry
Getty Images
When little Parker's parents asked her what she wanted to be for Halloween, she didn't hesitate. "I want to be Michelle Obama," her mom, Jessica Curry, recalled. With just a week and a half until Halloween, Curry worked fast to make her daughter's dreams come true.
Jessica Curry
Curry remembered that when the photo of Parker went viral, a woman contacted her and said she had started to make a children's version of Obama's iconic gown. "She tried to send us a version of the dress, but we just kept missing each other," Curry said about Alisha Welsh, who owns Magnolia Lake Children’s Clothing.
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"I knew it was going to be last-minute, but thought, 'Let me reach out to her.' And just like that, we received the handmade costume the morning of Halloween while Parker was at school. When she got home, [Parker's] jaw dropped when she saw the dress hanging up, and screamed 'Oh, it's so beautiful and perfect!'" Curry said.
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Parker loves the dress so much that she told her mom she wanted to wear it to school the day after Halloween too. "Our compromise is that she can wear it when she gets home," Curry said.
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“The dress is so beautifully sewn. It’s handmade and heavy-quality material that was custom-made for Parker. When I first saw the dress, I became teary-eyed because it was such a beautiful dress," Curry said.
Jessica Curry
Parker's younger sister, Ava, was by her side as trusted "Secret Service," for protection.
Michelle Obama herself saw a photo of Parker's costume and reacted. "You nailed the look, Parker! I love it!!!!" she tweeted. The Currys were thrilled. "When my husband and I saw the retweet, we both about died,” Curry said. “It was another surreal moment, and I knew people were going to be tickled by the photo, but I did not expect all the attention she’s getting."
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So what's next for 3-year-old Parker? “Parker is in the process of writing a book right now!" her mother said. Curry said details about a children's book will be announced soon. Keep up with the family here.

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The portrait of former President Obama is no longer on display at the Portrait Gallery.

The museum has seen a record number of visitors since unveiling the portraits in February 2018, Director Kim Sajet said.

Visitors come "not only to view these works in person, but to be part of the communal experience of a particular moment in time," she said in a statement.

The Portrait Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Timed entry passes are required.

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