This year's prestigious event will feature 195 exceptionally talented artists hailing from across the United States. These artists, meticulously selected by a premier jury, represent 13 distinct disciplines, spanning everything from intricate metalwork and delicate basketry to innovative paper creations, with many artists showcasing their mastery across multiple categories. A testament to their dedication, all proceeds from sales go directly to the artists, fostering a direct connection between creators and collectors.
Beyond the stunning displays, the 49th annual Craft Show will also serve as the launchpad for a significant national initiative: Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026. Spearheaded by Craft in America, this initiative honors the upcoming semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of the United States. Handwork is designed to be a year-long collaboration that unites organizations, exhibits, educators, and makers in a grand celebration of the diverse crafts that have shaped America's history and cultural identity.
"Hosting the launch of Handwork to celebrate the history of craft in our country is an honor,"remarked Nancy O’Meara,Craft Show Manager."In an increasingly manufactured time, we understand the importance of highlighting handmade, and we feel grateful to be able to showcase our esteemed mix of artists and their handmade creations to the Philadelphia community."
Over its nearly five-decade history,The Craft Show has been instrumental in highlighting the creativity and diversity of contemporary craftwork.Its impact extends beyond the exhibition floor,having raised over$15 million to support the Philadelphia Museum of Art's various education programs, special exhibitions, acquisitions for its permanent collection, and other vital initiatives. For those eager to experience this renowned event, tickets are on sale now, with all proceeds continuing to benefit these crucial museum programs.
Guests attending this year's show will have the opportunity to encounter the extraordinary work of artists such as:
- Rowell Concepcion: An emerging milliner known for creating unique, fashion-forward hats using traditional techniques. His designs have graced the Met Gala red carpet and the covers of Elle and Tidal Magazine.
- So Young Park: Her intricate work involves crocheting metal wire into stunning 3D sculptures that evoke organic life, demonstrating how individual stitches combine to form complex "organisms."
- Debra Adelson: A jewelry designer from Collingswood, New Jersey, who champions sustainability by working exclusively with new and upcycled glass. Her pieces explore environmental themes, blurring the lines between the manmade and the natural.
- Georgette Sanders: She masterfully combines pottery and basketry, crafting unique pieces from materials meticulously collected from the South Carolina forests. Her work continues the long-standing tradition of sweetgrass basketry, an art form preserved by the Geechee Gullah people and derived from West Africa.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show, established in 1977, stands as a pioneering event, being the first retail craft show organized by a volunteer committee to benefit a non-profit institution. Presented annually by The Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art(one of the oldest women's organizations supporting a cultural institution in the country) and the Craft Show Committee, it remains a premier platform for craft education, featuring symposia, artist demonstrations, tours, and exhibitions.
For more information, follow The PMA Contemporary Craft Show on Instagram (@pmacraftshow), Facebook (Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show), and TikTok (@pma.craft.show), or visit their website at pmacraftshow.org.
