National Craft Open 2026 Studios Weekend

In July 2026, the American Craft Council launches its inaugural National Craft Open Studios Weekend as part of the nationwide Handwork 2026 initiative, opening artists’ studios, maker spaces, and creative hubs across the Washington, DC region for free, self-guided visits. Over two days, more than 1,500 artists in 36 states and the District of Columbia participate, with the DMV offering a broad selection of working environments where contemporary craft—glass, ceramics, fiber, woodworking, sculpture, jewelry, and mixed media—is produced. Unlike traditional gallery exhibitions, this weekend emphasizes hands-on exploration of process, tools, and works in progress, inviting the public to step directly into the spaces where artists experiment, fabricate, teach, and collaborate.

When: Saturday and Sunday, July 18–19, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM each day.

Tickets: The event is free, but advance registration on the American Craft Council’s website is recommended to access the full list of participating studios and plan a personal route.

Lineup: Participating studios span the DMV, including major arts centers like the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Brookland Arts Walk, and Montpelier Arts Center, as well as independent spaces such as Ampersand Art Space, Tyler Makes Things, Trey Joens Studio, Eileen Egan Pottery, DC GlassWorks, Circuit Breaker Labs, Sew Creative Lounge, Lori Katz Studio, and many others. The Washington Glass School will open its working glass and fabrication studios in celebration of its 25th anniversary, offering visitors access to kiln-glass facilities and the chance to meet resident artists.

Run time: The open-studio hours are 12–5 PM on both days; visitors may spend as much time as they wish at any location and may visit multiple studios at their own pace.

Ages: The event is open to all ages; no age restrictions are mentioned.

Venue: Multiple participating studios and creative hubs across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV region). Each location is independently operated and accessible during the listed hours.

Registration: Free registration is available at https://craftcouncil.org/events/national-craft-open-studios-weekend/ to view the full map of participating studios and receive updates.

Note: This event is part of the American Craft Council’s Handwork 2026 initiative, a nationwide celebration of handmade culture. Visitors are encouraged to build self-guided tours through neighborhoods and studio districts.