Online • October 13 – 25
A two-week celebration of fine American craft October 13 – 25 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 13 – 25
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 two short weeks.
Virtual Gala • Oct 21
Join us for a festive evening with celebrity chef Carla Hall as our host, and Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Visionary Award Ceremony • Oct 13
Join us as Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III presents the Smithsonian Visionary Award to 2020 Visionary Artist Patti Warashina, and as we celebrate the wit and wisdom of her work.
Live Auction • Oct 21
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). 120 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.
The Smithsonian Craft Show, originally scheduled for April 2020, has been postponed until October 13 - 25, 2020 and remade into a first-of-its-kind VIRTUAL show by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee, the producers of the show. The exciting new VIRTUAL show will 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.