Museum of Craft and Design Honors Influential “Objects: USA” Exhibition with New Show
The Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco is featuring a new exhibition that pays homage to the Smithsonian's influential 1969 "Objects: USA" show, which inspired the museum's creation. The current exhibit juxtaposes contemporary craftspeople with the original artists…
San Francisco Oakland San Jose, CA, September 18, 2026 — The Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco is currently hosting a new exhibition that draws a direct line to a pivotal moment in craft history. The exhibition serves as a tribute to the Smithsonian’s groundbreaking 1969 show, “Objects: USA,” an event that significantly influenced the trajectory of contemporary craft and directly inspired the founding of the Museum of Craft and Design itself.
This new presentation thoughtfully juxtaposes the work of contemporary craftspeople with that of the original artists featured in the seminal 1969 exhibition. By placing these works in dialogue, the museum aims to highlight the enduring legacy of “Objects: USA” and explore how its influence continues to resonate within the craft community today.
The original “Objects: USA” exhibition, organized by the Smithsonian Institution, was notable for its comprehensive scope and its focus on American studio craft. It showcased a wide array of materials and techniques, celebrating objects created outside the traditional fine art or industrial design contexts. The exhibition’s emphasis on individual artistic expression and craftsmanship helped to elevate the status of craft as a legitimate art form.
The current exhibition at the Museum of Craft and Design seeks to revisit this legacy. It invites visitors to consider the evolution of craft over the decades since 1969, examining how the principles and aesthetic values championed by the original “Objects: USA” artists have been interpreted and advanced by a new generation of makers. The juxtaposition of historical and contemporary pieces offers a unique perspective on the continuity and transformation within the field of craft.
While the specific artists included in the new exhibition and the exact nature of the juxtaposition are detailed within the museum’s galleries, the overarching theme connects the past and present of American craft. The exhibition underscores the role that influential shows like “Objects: USA” play in shaping artistic movements and inspiring institutions dedicated to their preservation and promotion.
Story summarized from the original created by Julie Zigoris on missionlocal.org, see more information here.
