DECORAH, Iowa — Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, is participating in the project, Handwork 2026, joining more than 250 arts organizations across the country, which are hosting exhibitions and events during 2026 to showcase the importance of the handmade throughout the country’s history and in contemporary life.
Presented by Craft in America, Handwork 2026 celebrates the diversity of the crafts that define the United States, bringing compelling stories and underrepresented art and artists into the spotlight. Developed in honor of the 250th birthday of the United States, the project invites a celebration of the country’s shared heritage through the beauty, skill, and stories of handmade objects created by and for Americans over the last two and a half centuries.
Vesterheim’s feature for Handwork 2026 is “The National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition,” showcasing contemporary American artists who create folk art rooted in Norwegian traditions. This exhibition celebrates folk art by encouraging and inspiring emerging and established folk artists to develop their craft. Artists submit work for evaluation by a team of judges, who offer feedback on the entries and award ribbons, which carry points that accumulate toward a Vesterheim Gold Medal.
The exhibition includes categories of blacksmithing, knifemaking, rosemaling, weaving, and woodworking, rooted in Norwegian traditions. Artists can submit pieces from May 1-20 for the opportunity to showcase their artwork in a gallery exhibit, receive judging feedback, and offer pieces for sale! The exhibit is open to the public from June 12-July 25, including during Decorah’s Nordic Fest from July 23-25, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. Check vesterheim.org for entry information and forms, as well as profiles of Vesterheim Gold Medalists.
Handwork 2026 was developed by the team behind Craft in America and its Peabody Award–winning documentary series. It unfolds over the course of the year in venues across the country and on multiple platforms, including a four-part PBS series, a landmark publication, and the initiative’s core exhibition at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Carol Sauvion, Executive Director of Craft in America, said, “Craft connects us. It reminds us of who we are and what we share. Making by hand links us through creativity across generations. From the earliest artisans to today’s makers, the handmade continues to shape our American story.”
Handwork 2026 brings compelling stories, art, and artists into the spotlight through the following activities:
PBS Documentary Series
Four special episodes of Craft in America, the Peabody Award-winning Series, entitled EAST, WEST, NORTH, and SOUTH, present a rich exploration of the handmade in traditional, studio, ethnic, and contemporary processes.
Education
With a special focus on grades K-12, education guides take a wide look at the history, cultural traditions, and impact of craft in the United States, from Indigenous origins until today, and include hands-on craft activities. Available beginning January 2026 on handwork2026.org, CraftInAmerica.org, and through PBS LearningMedia.
Publication
Presenting the extraordinary range of the handmade in the United States, “Handwork: Handcrafted Things That Made America” will be rich in images of exquisite handmade objects, featured alongside artist statements and essays by leading experts. The publication is scheduled for release in April 2026.
Nationwide Exhibitions & Events
A core tenet of Handwork 2026 is its extraordinary scale of collaboration. Along with Vesterheim’s “National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition,” many organizations nationwide have joined this initiative, including the Museum of Arts & Design, New York; Craft Contemporary, Los Angeles; Philadelphia Museum of Art; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Corning Museum of Glass, New York; Figge Art Museum, Davenport, Iowa; and many more. For a current list of all participating institutions, visit www.handwork2026.org/participants.
Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org and Vesterheim social media. For more information on exhibits, classes, programs, tours, membership opportunities, and ways to donate and volunteer, connect at vesterheim.org, (563) 382-9681, and Vesterheim, 520 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.
