Hundreds of American Craft Artists invite public into their studios during National Craft Open Studios Weekend
Your Sun
7/13/26
The first National Craft Open Studios Weekend will invite the American public to explore the creative spaces of hundreds of craft artists on the weekend of July 18-19.
This two-day event offers guests a rare glimpse into the processes, tools and inspiration that shape how handmade works are made.
Visitors can explore a wide range of creative spaces, from individual artist studios and community workshops to artist collectives and shared studio buildings, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how craft is made and the people who make it.
A comprehensive map of all participating studio locations in both rural and urban areas in 36 states plus the District of Columbia is available online at craftcouncil.org/events/national-craft-open-studios-weekend — just register (it’s free with a $10 suggested donation) to get access to the map. Visitors can look for their next favorite artist in their own backyard or plan a trip farther afield to discover something new.
“From small towns to the biggest cities, communities throughout our country are witnessing an American craft renaissance,” says Andrea Specht, Executive Director of the American Craft Council. “It is more vital than ever that we see and support the things that bring us together, and for nearly 85 years, ACC has championed craft as a powerful force fostering human dignity and connection.”
National Craft Open Studios Weekend is presented by the American Craft Council and launches as part of Craft in America’s Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026. Similar to what Record Store Day or Independent Bookstore Day do for their creative ecosystems, National Craft Open Studios Weekend will provide support for artists and makers, and strengthen the national craft community through shared storytelling.
The American Craft Council is a national nonprofit fostering connection through the handmade. Building upon an 80-plus year legacy of tradition and innovation as a membership-based nonprofit, ACC leverages the transformative possibilities of craft through storytelling, resources for artists and appreciators, and events. In partnership with organizations across the country, we mobilize our diverse craft ecosystem to create a world where objects matter, makers thrive and craft connects.
Original article here.
Made in America
By Shivaun Watchorn
August 6, 2025
To celebrate American craft during the country’s 250th birthday, Los Angeles–based Craft in America has partnered with the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum to spearhead Handwork 2026, a yearlong initiative that includes new TV episodes, a book, craft tourism, a national exhibition, and much more.
Major partners, including the American Craft Council, Americans for the Arts, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund, PBS, and Ornament magazine, will help to organize and promote the initiative. More than 200 smaller regional craft museums and organizations will also participate in programming throughout the year.
“Craft is not nostalgic. Craft is alive,” says Carol Sauvion, founder of Craft in America. “That’s something we can be very proud of in our country.”
The initiative recalls 1993’s Year of American Craft, when Michael Monroe, then the chief curator of the Renwick, gathered 75 craft objects for display in the White House and brought the likes of Sam Maloof and Dale Chihuly into the storied building.
Visual arts consultant Harriett Green, who is an American Craft Council trustee, suggested doing something similar for the country’s semiquincentennial in 2026. Why not a full year of celebration of the craft that made—and continues to shape— the United States? Here’s what you can look forward to.
TV and Video. Starting in December, a four-part television documentary produced by the team behind the PBS program Craft in America will air on PBS and online, aiming to capture the full range of craft in the US with episodes titled “East,” “West,” “North,” and “South.” Three separate video initiatives—Handmade America, Craft Across America, and Crafting History—will also stream on PBS, YouTube, and Craft in America’s website.
A Book. To be published in spring 2026 by Monacelli Press, a book will feature under-told stories about craft histories, artists, materials, and processes.
Residencies and Education. Handwork 2026 artist residencies at select universities are being funded by the Windgate Foundation. Dr. Marilyn Stewart, an arts educator and textbook author, will oversee the creation of a curriculum for K–12 students that will “take a wide look at the history, cultural traditions, and impact of craft in the United States, from Indigenous origins until today,” according to organizers.
An Exhibition. The capstone of the project will be an exhibition at the Renwick Gallery, opening in November 2026, which will draw on the Smithsonian’s permanent collection and include 10 objects acquired specifically for the show.
Regional Programming. Organizers also hope to connect Americans to the country’s craft history through programming with regional partners. In Houston and upstate New York, for example, neighboring organizations plan to offer “craft trails,” where people can visit a handful of craft sites over a weekend.
Ultimately, the goal is to deepen Americans’ appreciation of the craft artists, materials, and processes that have shaped the country in its past 250 years, divided as the country may now be.
“Craft is unifying and craft is gratifying, and there aren’t many things in this world that have those two traits,” says Sauvion.