Penland anchors a nationwide celebration with exhibitions that explore how and why we make
In 2026, as the United States marks its 250th anniversary, the nonprofit organization Craft in America is launching Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a nationwide initiative highlighting the enduring role of handmade work in American culture. As part of that effort, Penland School of Craft will present Now is the Time to Understand More in the John & Robyn Horn Exhibition Gallery from May 19 through August 29. Featuring artists working across a wide range of media — from clay and fiber to glass and mixed media — the exhibition highlights the persistence, experimentation, and personal perspective embedded in contemporary craft practice. Its title comes from a Marie Curie quote: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” At Penland, the phrase becomes an invitation to look closely at objects shaped by the hand — and the ideas they carry. Meanwhile, the gallery’s FOCUS space presents Pattern Play through June 20. Featuring work in textiles, glass, paper, ceramics, and print, the exhibition explores how repetition, color, and shifting surfaces generate movement and visual rhythm across both functional and sculptural forms.
Pattern Play: April 21-June 20
Now is the Time to Understand More: May 19-August 29
Penland Gallery / 3135 Conley Ridge Road, Bakersville / penland.org/gallery