Formerly known as the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage’s African American Craft Initiative, the renamed African African American Craft Alliance, brings craft artisans, makers and organizations together to encourage the vitality of African American craft, support efforts to document and present African American work, strengthen networks, and increase access to opportunities and resources.

The African American Craft Alliance began in 2020 as an Initiative of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage to address the needs of the African American craft community through workshops, network building, documentation, and public programming. Beginning in 2024, the work has continued and expanded  as the African American Craft Alliance, supported by the Folk Education Network Alliance and working in partnership with a network of African American craft artists, regional and national craft organizations to support the needs and promote the visibility and vitality of African American craft and artists/craftpersons.

The AACA was  founded by textile artist scholar, Fulbright specialist, and Smithsonian curator alumnus, Dr. Diana Baird N’Diaye.

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with grant support by:

Free Public Flameworking demo with Shane Fero, master of the medium for 50+ years!

Live in person at the Sonoran Glass School in Tucson, AZ and Live Streaming via YouTube @sonoranglassart.

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with grant support by:

A multifaceted artist, Dori embraces various mediums to convey her messages. She has thrived as an installation artist, leading the creation of two large-scale temporary fiber art installations and indoor murals. Driven by her fascination with the intricate aesthetics and technical aspects of glass art, Dori has consistently pursued workshops to refine her skills and techniques in glass fusion (since 2013), kiln-casting (since 2015), and pâte de verre (since 2018). Pâte de verre remains Dori’s preferred and primary technique in her artistic practice. Whenever possible, she incorporates salvaged glass into her creations, showcasing her commitment to sustainability.

Today, Dori draws immense inspiration from the enchanting forest surrounding her home and studio in the mountains of North Carolina.

Learn more about her work at dorisettles.com

Free public lecture about paté de verre, a technique for working in glass.

Please join us in our Tucson studio from 10am til 12 noon Mountain time.

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with grant support by:

Art talk and hot glass demonstration with Kazuki Takizawa.

Free and open to the public. Also live streaming on YouTube @sonoranglassart

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with grant support by:

Hot Glass Blowing and sculpting Demo with Karen Willenbrink and Jasen Johnsen, in person in Tucson at the Sonoran Glass School and Live Streaming via YouTube @sonoranglassart.

January 30 2026 from 5-7pm Mountain time.

Join us for this free public demonstration event!

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with grant support by:

Live Hot Glass Blowing Demonstration with Jason Christian, in person at the Sonoran Glass School and Live Streamed via YouTube. @sonoranglassart

Join us from 5 to 7 pm Mountain time in Tucson AZ!

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Celebrate the holidays and the 250th anniversary of American independence at the Red Mill Museum Village’s annual Festival of Trees. This year, each tree reflects on 250 years of America—through history, culture, and visions of the future.

The festival opens with the Winter Village holiday market, featuring artisan vendors, festive food, and Hands-On History demonstrations in blacksmithing, candlemaking, spinning, and more.

Proceeds support the museum’s preservation and educational programs.

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In honor of MICA’s Bicentennial, the College will be holding a one-of-a kind celebration – the Fete of Lights gala will be an explosion of creativity – lighting up the community through art installations, lighting design, costuming and performance including a runway of artistic expression.

The Fête of Light is one of the most frequently remembered events and legendary for its inventive costumes and creative atmosphere and interior design of the space.

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The Tyler School of Art and Architecture educates and inspires students to be active participants in society with the highest aspirations for creative and social achievement, individual expression, scholarly discovery and innovation.

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UrbanGlass is proud to present our biennial MFA exhibition, which features recent graduates from Masters programs who are working with glass.

The title for this exhibition, The Scope, honors the breadth of techniques and inspirations within the material landscape of glass.

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The Woodlands Arts Council (TWAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enriching our region through cultural and educational programming that encourages, supports, and promotes the visual, performing, and literary arts.

As the producer of signature events—including the award-winning The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, the Texas Fine Craft Show, and the Young Makers Market, TWAC creates meaningful opportunities for people of all ages to celebrate, experience, and be inspired by creativity.

TWAC fulfills its mission through impactful year-round initiatives, including student art scholarships, microgrants, public art projects, and educational outreach programs. Over the past 20 years, the organization has reinvested more than $1.7 million into the community, thanks to the generosity of its community.

TWAC also operates a gallery open free of charge alongside a vibrant calendar of special events and programs throughout the year.

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Materials to Masterpiece invites visitors to explore the journey of traditional craft, from humble raw materials to refined works of art.

The exhibition reveals the transformation of natural resources by the hands of master craftsmen. Unfinished pieces will be featured alongside finished work to illuminate the process, skill, artistry, and vision behind each creation.

The League will showcase collaborations with traditional craft education programs in New Hampshire as a part of this exhibition.

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A jury session is a formal and rigorous evaluation for membership with the League of NH Craftsmen. League jurors not only demonstrate technical expertise but exemplify the “Spirit of the Maker” through their work, and serve as ambassadors for this historic organization.

Setting the Standard is a recurring exhibition featuring work from the League’s jurors. Masters in their respective media categories, these craftsmen represent the high standards of the organization in the work they produce.

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Every year, The Studio welcomes tens of thousands of Museum visitors to glassmaking through its Make Your Own Glass program.

These short sessions introduce participants to the magic of glass blowing, fusing, sandblasting, beadmaking, or engraving.

This much-loved, family-friendly program connects people of all ages and skill levels to traditional crafts, and this year, we’re celebrating Museum and Studio anniversaries with an all-star lineup of returning projects inspired by past exhibitions.

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The Clay Studio is proud to present Our Community, a biennial, open call exhibition that highlights the inspiring work being made by artists who are part of The Clay Studio as Students, Associate Artists, Interns, Staff, Board, and Teaching Artists.

The work on view encompasses the range of what inspires our artists, including: global cultures, traditional techniques, 3D printing, slip casting, installation art, humor, and political activism.

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