We Celebrate Smithsonian Craft to Wear

Randall Darwall and Brian Murphy (top); Christiana Goodman jewelry, (left); Frittelli and Lockwood (left, middle); Mina Norton (bottom)

Art meets fashion October 6th through 8th, when 80 master designers come to Washington DC’s National Building Museum for a show and sale of hand-crafted wearable arts. Returning artists — all previously juried into the Smithsonian Craft Show — are joined by a group of first-in-show designers recommended by California College of the Arts,The Fashion Institute of Technology, Pratt Institute, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Savannah School of Art and Design and the DC Fashion Foundation.

Jewelry, leatherwork, accessories and cutting-edge couture will be on display and available for sale. The artists will be present for the Preview Night Benefit and throughout the show, to share their creative process and their passion for their work.

 Special events offer the opportunity to enjoy the show in a festive atmosphere:

The 10th Anniversary Preview Night Benefit on Thursday night is an opportunity to meet theartists, enjoy live modeling, be the first to shop, and enjoy wine, a light buffet and music. Proceeds from the event are used to support the programs and museums of the Smithsonian.

Thursday, October 6
Preview Night Party — 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Awards presentation — 6:00 pm
Art on the Runway Fashion Show — 6:30 – 7:00 pm

Friends Night Out on Friday night offers a fun way to see the show while enjoying craft cocktails from some of DC’s top mixologists. Your ticket allows you admission all day as well.

Friday, October 7 — 5:30pm – 8:00 pm

Show dates, time and location are Friday, October 7th, from 10am to 8pm, and Saturday, October 8th, from 10am to 5:30pm, at the Great Hall of the National Building Museum, 4th and F Streets NW. The main entrance the National Building Museum is just across the street from the Judiciary Square Metro station, F Street exit.

Smithsonian Craft2Wear is produced by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee (SWC), an all-volunteer organization founded in support of the education, outreach and research programs of the Smithsonian Institution, and its mission to increase and diffuse knowledge.

The SWC produces two events each year to showcase American craft and design. The Smithsonian Craft Show in the spring, now in its 34th year, is widely considered to be the nation’s premier juried exhibition and sale of fine American craft. The Smithsonian Craft2Wear show in the fall, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, focuses on wearable art at the intersection of art and fashion.

All proceeds from these events benefit the programs and museums of the Smithsonian. To date,the SWC has awarded nearly $11 million in grants and endowments to the Smithsonian’s 19 museums and galleries, nine research facilities, the National Zoo, and numerous traveling exhibits.