The James Renwick Alliance for Craft (JRACraft) will host its 2026 Spring Craft Weekend, themed “Making Magic: Handmade Alchemy,” on April 25–26, 2026 in the Washington, D.C. area.
This annual celebration brings together artists, collectors, curators, and craft enthusiasts for a weekend of conversation, recognition, and inspired making.
Event Highlights: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Morning — Free Public Symposium
Held at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (McEvoy Auditorium), the morning program honors five distinguished leaders in the field of craft:
- Tom Loeser (wood)
- Piper Shepard (fiber)
- Winnie Owens-Hart (ceramics)
- Keke Cribbs (glass)
- Bruce Pepich (distinguished educator)
The symposium is free and open to the public — an opportunity to hear directly from artists and advocates who have shaped the contemporary craft landscape.
Evening — “Making Magic” Celebration & Auction
The celebration continues that evening at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington (MOCA Arlington), VA. Guests will enjoy cocktails, artist demonstrations, and a lively auction of “masterful miniatures” — intimate works that showcase the technical brilliance and imaginative range of today’s makers.
Sunday, April 26, 2026
The weekend concludes with an Awards Brunch at The Tower Club in Vienna, VA — a celebratory gathering honoring the award recipients and the craft community that supports them.
JRACraft’s Spring Craft Weekend has long been one of the region’s most vibrant craft-focused events, strengthening connections between artists, collectors, and institutions while championing handmade excellence.
Registration is now open. Tickets are available for individual events or as patron packages through the JRACraft website:
https://www.jracraft.org/2026-spring-craft-weekend.html
We hope to see many members of the Washington Glass School community there for this inspiring weekend of handmade alchemy. ✨
