The Craft of Handwork
Handwork 2026 puts American craft at the center of the nation’s 250th celebration.
No matter where you are in the United States, there is a tradition of craftmaking. From woven baskets to glass sculptures to patchwork quilts, American-made craft is as old as the nation itself and has developed into an ever-growing assortment of objects that fill homes, craftspersons’ workshops, and the collections of museums and related arts institutions.
Such has been explored since 2004 with the nonprofit Craft in America. Through its special programming, including the Craft in America Center in Los Angeles, online education guides, publications, partnerships, and the Peabody-winning television series of the same name airing nationally on PBS, the organization promotes American-made handcrafted work.
A prime example can be seen in the recent episodes of the famous docuseries, which cover historic and modern craft from throughout the United States. In episodes segmented and titled by region: “North” (premiering December 18), “South” (premiering December 18), “East,” and “West,” the program covers from the concrete streets of New York City to the beaches of Hawai’i.
Handwork 2026
This television programming was produced in conjunction with another Craft in America initiative, Handwork 2026, which celebrates America’s Semiquincentennial year-round with arts institutions, makers, and educators. Handwork 2026 (handwork2026.org) was the creation of former Executive Director and founder of Craft in America, Carol Sauvion, who began planning three years ago. Upon her retirement in 2025, Robyn Hollingshead and Ann Ruhr Pifer serve as co-executive directors.
Although Handwork 2026 was inspired by the American 250th anniversary, it also builds upon a previous initiative in 1993 that, through a congressional pronouncement, led to the establishment of the White House Craft collection. “We thought, wouldn’t it be great to do a national craft celebration on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the United States, because craft is such an important element of our cultural history as a country,” explains Ann Ruhr Pifer. “And we thought, we’ll get maybe thirty organizations across the country to join in. And it kind of ballooned in terms of number of participants, now we have over 250…we’re in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.”
A major component of Handwork 2026 is the collaborative exhibitions and events occurring throughout the United States, which can be found on the Craft Map on the program’s website. Many of these activities are paired with educational programming and related digital content, and a book will also be released in summer 2026.
Participating institutions include museums large and small (read “Common Threads in Arkansas” in the February 2026 issue of Kovels Antique Trader for a taste of such programming) and major craft organizations like Penland School of Crafts and the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.
Just as the event locations are diverse, so too are the subjects and forms of craft explored. “We’re focusing on objects that are made by hand in clay, fiber, glass, metal, mixed media, paper, and wood,” says Ann. “We make an effort to show the breadth of craft: from functional everyday objects to studio art, and from historic techniques to contemporary approaches. It’s really broad, and there’s a passion for the handmade behind it.”
The core exhibition of the program is Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Opening November 13, the installation draws on its collection and new acquisitions to showcase over 100 works that connect art and craft. The newly acquired works were purchased by the museum from funds raised by Craft in America and Handwork 2026, using the Renwick Gallery’s “wishlist” to fill gaps in its American craft collection, including works by well-known names such as Angela Ellsworth, Ato Ribeiro, and Jan Yager.
On her hopes for Handwork 2026, Ann wants more people to connect with craft and find joy and meaning in handmade objects. “By making them, using them, appreciating them. There’s really something special about the handmade that enhances our lives and brings us back to what’s human.”
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