Lloyd Herman Named Honorary Chair of the 2017 Smithsonian Craft Show
The Smithsonian Craft Show today announced that Lloyd Herman, the founding director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery, has been named honorary chair of this year’s event.
“It is extremely fitting that Lloyd Herman is this year’s honorary chair,” said Craft Show Co-chair Ethelmary Maddox. “He was the inspiration for and a constant supporter of the Smithsonian Craft Show.”
“As the founding director of the Renwick Gallery, Lloyd established what has become one of the most respected venues and voices for American craft,” said Craft Show Co-chair Kathy Sommerkamp. “It is a pleasure to recognize him for his pivotal role in American craft and for his many contributions making our show the most prestigious fine arts craft show in the country.”
Herman led the Renwick Gallery, which was established as a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 1972, from its opening until his retirement in 1986. The Renwick features one of the finest collections of American craft in the country and highlights craft objects and decorative arts from the 19th century to the present.
“I am thrilled to be the honorary chair of the 35th annual Smithsonian Craft Show,” Herman said. “I am proud of the Smithsonian Women’s Committee and the fine work it has done to bring the best of America’s craft artists and their imaginative and beautiful work to Washington.”
On April 29, Renwick Gallery staff Nora Atkinson, the Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft, and Abraham Thomas, The Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge, will join Herman for “Renwick: A Craft Museum’s Past, Present and Future,” a conversation reflecting on the Renwick as it continues to expand, move in new directions and establish new traditions. The conversation begins at 1 p.m. and is one of the special events that are free with admission to the Craft Show.
About the Smithsonian Craft Show
The 35th annual Smithsonian Craft Show will be held April 27–30 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., with a preview night reception April 26. The show will feature 120 fine-art craft artists representing 34 states. The participants were chosen from more than 1,000 applicants, including many of the most accomplished artisans in the United States.
Proceeds from the Craft Show are distributed to the Smithsonian’s 28 museums and research centers (including the National Zoo) through an annual competitive grants program. The Smithsonian Women’s Committee has awarded almost $12 million in grants and endowments. For a list of recent grants, visit www.smithsoniancraftshow.org.
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