US · International contemporary art platformHandwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery will open to the public on November 13, 2026. The exhibition will be available for viewing daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, and while registration is encouraged, it is not required. Registration for the exhibition will open on October 30, allowing visitors to secure their attendance in advance.
The exhibition will showcase 53 works selected from the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection. Among these are several new acquisitions that have been made possible through the Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026 initiative, which is organized by Craft in America. This initiative has enabled the museum to expand its collection with contemporary craft pieces.
Significant new acquisitions featured in the exhibition include works by artists such as Roberto Benavidez, Angela Ellsworth, Bill Harris (Catawba Nation), Aya Oki, Ato Ribeiro, Diego Romero, and Jan Yager. These artists represent a range of backgrounds and approaches to contemporary craft, contributing to the diversity of the exhibition.
The exhibition is designed to foster connections among the artworks on display, encouraging visitors to explore the varied possibilities of craft in today’s world. Through these connections, the exhibition aims to highlight the evolving nature of craft and its relevance in contemporary society.
Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery is organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and is part of Handwork 2026, which is presented by Craft in America. The exhibition is supported by Rebecca Ravenal and The Ravenal Foundation, as well as Todd Wingate and Steven Cason. This support has helped make the exhibition and its new acquisitions possible.
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