The State Fair at the Renwick Gallery September 2025 – 26
On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery is mounting a major exhibition, tentatively titled The State Fair, to feature the creative contributions of state fairs from the mid-nineteenth century to today.
The State Fair, Renwick Gallery, September 2025 – 26
On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery is mounting a major exhibition, tentatively titled The State Fair, to feature the creative contributions of state fairs from the mid-nineteenth century to today. For nearly two centuries, state fairs have provided opportunities for education, social interaction, and entertainment in agricultural settings. In many states, the fairs remain a vital cultural force and significant marker of changing economic and social shifts — from rural and family-based farm communities to more urban and industrialized agribusinesses — and craftspeople have long carved out spaces at state fairs to share their niche talents and cultural values.
While we are in the early stages of research for this exhibition, we anticipate that it will include virtuoso examples of furniture, woodworking, textile arts, pottery, and similar “classic” crafts, along with unique examples from regional cultural traditions. Because of the large scope of the project, we are not looking into county fairs or world’s fairs. In our blue-ribbon gallery, we’re hoping to illuminate the artwork of furniture makers who may have got their start at a state fair or regularly enter work into competitive exhibits. In our research, we are finding that many influential artists participated in state fairs through craft demonstrations, workshops, or by entering their work into the competitive exhibits. Earning a prize at the state fair often gave artists the confidence and prize money to take the next step in their career. Unfortunately, we have found that many artists do not list state fair awards or activities on their CVs, and in this way, we are relying on the deep knowledge and memories of community members.
If you have a state fair story or know of ribbon-winning artworks that you would like to share, please email morrissc@si.edu or write to the following address:
Sara Morris
Renwick Gallery
MRC 510 PO Box 37012
Washington, DC 20013 – 7012