Smithsonian Craft Show Opens April 24

The 43rd annual Smithsonian Craft Show will take place April 24–27 featuring the work of recognized masters and outstanding innovators of American craft. A panel of expert jurors has selected 120 American artists representing all facets of contemporary craft and design, including basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed-media, paper, wearable art and wood. The works will be on display and for sale. Serious collectors and casual shoppers will find one-of-a-kind pieces at a wide range of prices.

The show is to be held at the National Building Museum, located at 401 F St. N.W. in Washington, D.C. Admission is $25 at the door, and group sales of 10 or more are $20 each, both of which can be purchased in advance. The show’s dazzling Preview Night Benefit April 23 offers an early opportunity to view and purchase crafts, enjoy cocktails and dinner, and hear Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III kick off the show. For all tickets and more information, visit the craft show website.

This year’s theme about Visionaries celebrates the show’s artists’ visions of what might be as they give raw materials new life. A highlight will be the presentation of the Smithsonian Visionary Award to Nick Cave, the innovative fiber artist well known for the creation of Sound Suits, a combination of meticulous craft and free-spirited design.

The Smithsonian Women’s Committee produces this show to celebrate the finest in American contemporary craft and design. All proceeds are awarded back to the Smithsonian through grants to multiple museums, research centers and the Zoo. To date, the organization has awarded more than $14 million to the Institution for projects that support innovative education and enhance knowledge, research and outreach in areas of culture, arts, mysteries of the universe, biodiversity and the American experience.

About the Smithsonian Women’s Committee

The Smithsonian Women’s Committee is an all-volunteer organization of 180 members that raises funds through its annual Craft Show and Craft2Wear Show to fund its grants and endowment programs to support the initiatives of the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo and numerous education, research and conservation centers in the Washington, D.C. area and around the world.

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