Online • October 23 – 31
A week celebration of fine American craft October 23 – 31 to benefit the Smithsonian Institution, featuring artists in individual online shops, plus a virtual gala and live auction, hosted on Bidsquare.com. FREE advanced registration is required to attend all these FREE events! Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Artist Shops • Oct 23 – 31
Explore and buy recent works from dozens of the country’s top craft and wearable artists, available on one platform for an enjoyable shopping experience – but only for one short week.
Virtual Gala • Date TBA
Join us for a festive evening with the Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Visionary Award Ceremony • Date TBA
Join us as the Secretary of the Smithsonian presents the Smithsonian Visionary Award to 2021 Visionary Artists, David Ellsworth and Michael Hurwitz, and as we celebrate the strength and beauty of their work.
Live Auction • Date TBA
Bid on unique works of art from the nation’s finest crafters. Proceeds benefit the artists as well as help to support grants awarded to Smithsonian museums and research centers. Live auction will be immediately following the Virtual Gala.
Celebrating the Creative Spirit of America
The Smithsonian Craft Show is traditionally a four day show and sale of the finest in American Crafts and Design, held at the beautiful National Building Museum in Washington DC (map). 90 artists have been carefully selected by a distinguished panel of jurors who look for unrivaled quality and creativity.
Artists at the show work in all facets of contemporary craft and design – basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearables, and wood. Serious collectors and casual visitors will find one-of-a kind works of art in all price ranges. All proceeds support the Smithsonian Institution.
For the safety and health of supporters and shoppers, the in-person Smithsonian Craft Show, originally scheduled for October 2021, has been remade for the second year in a row into a VIRTUAL show by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee, the producers of the show. The exciting VIRTUAL show will take place online October 23-31, 2021 and have the quality you expect from the Smithsonian Craft Show!
Ceramic artist Lynne Meade creates her lacy works by cutting small shapes when the porcelain is wet and then enlarging each opening when the piece is dry and strong enough to hold its shape. Lovely !
—Smithsonian Women's Committee, producer Smithsonian Craft Shows
Lynne Meade Pierced Lace Orb Vessel
Lynne Meade has been creating objects in clay for 30 years. Starting out in the fine craft world her work has evolved into functional art and décor pieces for the home and for public spaces.