The 43rd annual Smithsonian Craft Show is set to dazzle art enthusiasts and design lovers alike. Running from Thursday, April 24, through Sunday, April 27, this celebrated event is being held at the iconic National Building Museum. It brings together 120 of the country’s most talented contemporary artists under one roof and is the perfect opportunity to discover and purchase one-of-a-kind American crafts that combine quality, creativity, and vision.
The theme of this year’s show, “Visionaries,” highlights the innovative spirit in modern craft. From intricate furniture to stunning wearable art, the Smithsonian Craft Show will feature a curated collection representing a wide range of mediums, including ceramics, glass, decorative fiber, and mixed media. Each piece has been carefully selected by a panel of expert jurors, ensuring a showcase of only the finest craftsmanship and design.
The Smithsonian Women’s Committee, the event’s producer, has made it their mission to support Smithsonian projects. With proceeds from the craft show, the event helps underwrite grants that contribute to innovative education, cultural research, biodiversity initiatives, and exploration into the mysteries of the universe.
Co-chair Twig Murray underlines the importance of this initiative, noting that “our show’s proceeds underwrite grants for Smithsonian projects that support innovative education, enhance knowledge, research and outreach in areas of culture, arts, mysteries of the universe, biodiversity, and the American experience.”
A favorite of the Smithsonian Craft Show each year is the Opening Night Benefit Party (Wednesday, April 23), where guests enjoy early access to view and purchase crafts before the show officially opens. The Smithsonian Visionary Award will also be presented that evening to Nick Cave, a Chicago-based innovative fiber artist, dancer, performance artist, and educator known for creating the SoundSuits series of large fabric sculptures that blend fabric, fashion, and sculpture.
SMITHSONIAN CRAFT SHOW
- Location: National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC
- Dates & Hours: April 24-26, 10 am to 5 pm; April 27, 10 am to 4 pm
- Tickets: Single-day – $25 and multi-day – $35; Opening Night Benefit Party – $300; and Patron level, including the Visionary Award presentation – $550