One of Washington’s most beloved art spaces is back — and it’s opening its doors with a radiant new celebration of everything made by hand. Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery opens Friday, November 13, 2026, marking the grand reopening of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
The exhibition features 53 works from the museum’s permanent collection that explore the meaning and relevance of craft in American culture, including several exciting new acquisitions made possible through Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a national initiative organized by Craft in America. Highlights include a breathtaking 18- and 14-karat gold tiara by Jan Yager, alongside works by Roberto Benavidez, Angela Ellsworth, Bill Harris of the Catawba Nation, Aya Oki and Ato Ribeiro.
Celebration week is packed: a free Open House on November 13 (11 a.m.–2 p.m.) offers family craft activities and a scavenger hunt, and “Handi-hour” on November 17 brings craft cocktails and making for the 21+ crowd.
Admission is always free, so gather your family and head to Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW to welcome the Renwick back in style.
Photo: Smithsonian American Art Museum; © 2006, Jan Yager
