{"id":1995323,"date":"2026-06-17T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1995323"},"modified":"2026-06-17T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T21:00:00","slug":"state-fairs-growing-american-craft-surveys-agriculture-ingenuity-and-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1995323","title":{"rendered":"\u2018State Fairs: Growing American Craft\u2019 Surveys Agriculture, Ingenuity, and Community"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1665\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-4.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Morgan Hill, \u201cSmorgasbord\u201d (detail) (2024), holly, resin, silk thread, paint, steel, and sterling silver. All images courtesy of the artists and Smithsonian American Art Museum, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">\u2018State Fairs: Growing American Craft\u2019 Surveys Agriculture, Ingenuity, and Community<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-17T11:00:00-05:00\">June 17, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-art\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/art\/\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a><a class=\"category-craft\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/craft\/\" rel=\"tag\">Craft<\/a><a class=\"category-design\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/design\/\" rel=\"tag\">Design<\/a><a class=\"category-history\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/kmothes\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Kate Mothes<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F06%2Fstate-fairs-growing-american-craft-exhibition%2F&amp;title=%26%238216%3BState%20Fairs%3A%20Growing%20American%20Craft%27%20Surveys%20Agriculture%2C%20Ingenuity%2C%20and%20Community\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#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\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"475142\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>One of the most enduring traditions in the U.S. is undoubtedly the state fair. The <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/State_fair\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">very first<\/a> was held in Syracuse, New York, in 1841, and throughout the mid-19th century, states launched their own unique takes. Some of the largest and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueribbongroup.net\/blue-ribbon-foodies\/tag\/top-30-state-fair-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">busiest<\/a>, such as those in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, have been running just about as long as the states have existed. And it\u2019s no coincidence that some of the most well known and beloved events, which usually take place in the late summer or early autumn, represent the nation\u2019s agricultural heartlands.<\/p>\n<p>The exhibition <em>State Fairs: Growing American Craft <\/em>at the Smithsonian American Art Museum\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/americanart.si.edu\/visit\/renwick\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Renwick Gallery<\/a> celebrates the unique crafts and customs of these annual festivals. From cows sculpted out of butter and 4-H contests to seed art and crazy foods, ingenuity is as much a part of the tradition as showcasing time-honored farming practices, rural culture, industry, and of course, arts and crafts.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-6.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-475142\" title=\"Linda Nez, \u201cCarnival\u201d (1992), commercial yarn. Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson\" data-rl_title=\"Linda Nez, \u201cCarnival\u201d (1992), commercial yarn. Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson\" data-rl_caption=\"Linda Nez, \u201cCarnival\u201d (1992), commercial yarn. Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1495\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-6.jpg\" alt=\"a woven textile depicting people in the desert at a carnival\" class=\"wp-image-475148\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Linda Nez, \u201cCarnival\u201d (1992), commercial yarn. Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Minnesota State Fair is particularly well known for its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walkerart.org\/reader\/seed-by-seed-crop-art-of-the-minnesota-state-fair\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seed art<\/a>, which consists of tableaux made entirely of grains and seeds that are cultivated in the state. Artists often translate famous artworks using a variety of crops, and portraits of celebrities are another popular subject. When submitted for consideration, artists must supply a \u201clegend card\u201d that demonstrates which seeds they used.<\/p>\n<p>The Renwick Gallery show highlights more than 240 objects and artworks, from elaborate contemporary jewelry pieces to historic quilts to a rhinestone rodeo outfit. A contemporary mixed-media resin necklace by artist and jewelry designer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.morganhillcreative.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Morgan Hill<\/a> celebrates treats and pastimes, while a geometric weaving by Agueda Mart\u00ednez (1898-2000) highlights the extraordinary craft of Southwest tapestry blanket weaving.<\/p>\n<p><em>Growing American Craft <\/em>is the first large-scale survey of state fair creativity of its kind, representing 43 states and Tribal Nations. \u201cRibbon-winning artworks and engaging craft demonstrations illuminate the lives of the artists\u2014their families, memories, honors, and struggles,\u201d the museum says.<\/p>\n<p>Part of the show\u2019s aim is to highlight the pride, resilience, and inventiveness of rural communities, dashing stereotypes in the process and illuminating how fairgrounds are woven into the social fabric of the U.S. Visitors encounter a wide range of unique interpretations of state fair events, such as a pyramid of more than 700 glass jars of preserved fruits and vegetables by canner extraordinaire Rod Zeitler.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-7.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-475142\" title=\"Linda Paulsen, \u201cDolly Parton\u201d (2007). Courtesy of the artist and John Colton\" data-rl_title=\"Linda Paulsen, \u201cDolly Parton\u201d (2007). Courtesy of the artist and John Colton\" data-rl_caption=\"Linda Paulsen, \u201cDolly Parton\u201d (2007). Courtesy of the artist and John Colton\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2408\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-7.jpeg\" alt=\"a seed art portrait of Dolly Parton\" class=\"wp-image-475149\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Linda Paulsen, \u201cDolly Parton\u201d (2007). Courtesy of the artist and John Colton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Crops themselves take center stage in many of the works, including an elaborate sweetgrass basket by South Carolinian artist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/corey_alston_sweetgrassbasket\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Corey Alston<\/a>, who draws on the Gullah Geechee basket traditions to weave remarkably imaginative designs. And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/tags\/justin-favela\">Justin Favela<\/a> has also reimagined the palatial Rubenstein Grand Salon into an immersive space titled \u201cCapilla de Maiz (Maize Chapel).\u201d The walls are fringed with gold and pi\u00f1ata corncobs, tapping into the role of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maize\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">maize<\/a> in America throughout several millennia.<\/p>\n<p><em>State Fairs: Growing American Craft <\/em>continues through September 7 in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian has also produced a beautiful catalogue to accompany the show, which you can find on <a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/96\/9781588348005\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bookshop<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-8.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-475142\" title=\"Linda Paulsen, \u201cDolly Parton\u201d (detail)\" data-rl_title=\"Linda Paulsen, \u201cDolly Parton\u201d (detail)\" data-rl_caption=\"Linda Paulsen, \u201cDolly Parton\u201d (detail)\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1577\" height=\"1854\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-8.jpeg\" alt=\"a detail of a seed art portrait of Dolly Parton\" class=\"wp-image-475150\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Linda Paulsen, \u201cDolly Parton\u201d (detail)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-12.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-475142\" title=\"Agueda Mart\u00ednez, woven cotton cloth on cotton yarn warp (1994). Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum\" data-rl_title=\"Agueda Mart\u00ednez, woven cotton cloth on cotton yarn warp (1994). Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum\" data-rl_caption=\"Agueda Mart\u00ednez, woven cotton cloth on cotton yarn warp (1994). Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1254\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-12.jpeg\" alt=\"an intricate geometric cotton weaving\" class=\"wp-image-475154\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Agueda Mart\u00ednez, woven cotton cloth on cotton yarn warp (1994). Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-9.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-475142\" title=\"Grace Snyder, \u201cFlower Basket Petit Point quilt\u201d (1942-1943), cotton. Courtesy of Nebraska History Museum\" data-rl_title=\"Grace Snyder, \u201cFlower Basket Petit Point quilt\u201d (1942-1943), cotton. Courtesy of Nebraska History Museum\" data-rl_caption=\"Grace Snyder, \u201cFlower Basket Petit Point quilt\u201d (1942-1943), cotton. Courtesy of Nebraska History Museum\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1972\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-9.jpeg\" alt=\"an elaborate basket petit point quilt from the 1940s\" class=\"wp-image-475151\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Grace Snyder, \u201cFlower Basket Petit Point quilt\u201d (1942-1943), cotton. Courtesy of Nebraska History Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-1.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-475142\" title=\"Corey Alston, \u201cFrom Traditional to Contemporary\u201d (2021), sweetgrass. Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, gift of Carolyn L. Mazloomi\" data-rl_title=\"Corey Alston, \u201cFrom Traditional to Contemporary\u201d (2021), sweetgrass. Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, gift of Carolyn L. Mazloomi\" data-rl_caption=\"Corey Alston, \u201cFrom Traditional to Contemporary\u201d (2021), sweetgrass. Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, gift of Carolyn L. Mazloomi\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2106\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-1.jpg\" alt=\"an elaborate basket with a tall handle, woven from sweetgrass\" class=\"wp-image-475143\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Corey Alston, \u201cFrom Traditional to Contemporary\u201d (2021), sweetgrass. Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, gift of Carolyn L. Mazloomi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-3.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-475142\" title=\"Peggie L. Hartwell, \u201cOde to William and Annie Tyler\u201d (2022), cotton fabric, batting, and thread. Courtesy ofMcKissick Museum, University of South Carolina\" data-rl_title=\"Peggie L. Hartwell, \u201cOde to William and Annie Tyler\u201d (2022), cotton fabric, batting, and thread. Courtesy ofMcKissick Museum, University of South Carolina\" data-rl_caption=\"Peggie L. Hartwell, \u201cOde to William and Annie Tyler\u201d (2022), cotton fabric, batting, and thread. Courtesy ofMcKissick Museum, University of South Carolina\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2883\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-3.jpeg\" alt=\"a portrait quilt of two Black figures against a blue background\" class=\"wp-image-475145\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Peggie L. Hartwell, \u201cOde to William and Annie Tyler\u201d (2022), cotton fabric, batting, and thread. Courtesy of<br \/>McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-2.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-475142\" title=\"Margarita Cabrera, \u201cArbol de la Vida\u2013John Deere Tractor Model #790\u201d (2007), clay, slip paint, latex acrylic and metal hardware\" data-rl_title=\"Margarita Cabrera, \u201cArbol de la Vida\u2013John Deere Tractor Model #790\u201d (2007), clay, slip paint, latex acrylic and metal hardware\" data-rl_caption=\"Margarita Cabrera, \u201cArbol de la Vida\u2013John Deere Tractor Model #790\u201d (2007), clay, slip paint, latex acrylic and metal hardware\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-2.jpg\" alt=\"a sculpture of a John Deere tractor that is entirely pink with botanicals and birds all around it\" class=\"wp-image-475144\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Margarita Cabrera, \u201cArbol de la Vida\u2013John Deere Tractor Model #790\u201d (2007), clay, slip paint, latex acrylic and metal hardware<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-5.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-475142\" title=\"Morgan Hill, \u201cSmorgasbord\u201d (2024), holly, resin, silk thread, paint, steel, and sterling silver\" data-rl_title=\"Morgan Hill, \u201cSmorgasbord\u201d (2024), holly, resin, silk thread, paint, steel, and sterling silver\" data-rl_caption=\"Morgan Hill, \u201cSmorgasbord\u201d (2024), holly, resin, silk thread, paint, steel, and sterling silver\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2646\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-5.jpg\" alt=\"a necklace with numerous resin pieces depicting objects like dominos, snacks, bottles, and more\" class=\"wp-image-475147\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Morgan Hill, \u201cSmorgasbord\u201d (2024), holly, resin, silk thread, paint, steel, and sterling silver<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefair13.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-475142\" title=\"Installation view of \u2018Justin Favela: Capilla de Ma\u00edz (Maize Chapel)\u2019 (2025), Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Photo by Albert Ting\" data-rl_title=\"Installation view of \u2018Justin Favela: Capilla de Ma\u00edz (Maize Chapel)\u2019 (2025), Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Photo by Albert Ting\" data-rl_caption=\"Installation view of \u2018Justin Favela: Capilla de Ma\u00edz (Maize Chapel)\u2019 (2025), Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Photo by Albert Ting\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1499\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefair13.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-475155\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Installation view of \u2018Justin Favela: Capilla de Ma\u00edz (Maize Chapel)\u2019 (2025), Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Photo by Albert Ting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-10.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-475142\" title=\"Liz Schreiber, \u201cState Fairs: Growing American Craft\u201d (2024-2025), various seeds and flower petals\" data-rl_title=\"Liz Schreiber, \u201cState Fairs: Growing American Craft\u201d (2024-2025), various seeds and flower petals\" data-rl_caption=\"Liz Schreiber, \u201cState Fairs: Growing American Craft\u201d (2024-2025), various seeds and flower petals\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/statefairs-10.jpg\" alt=\"a seed art piece that depicts a cow and other symbols of agriculture, with the words &apos;State Fairs: Growing American Craft&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-475152\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Liz Schreiber, \u201cState Fairs: Growing American Craft\u201d (2024-2025), various seeds and flower petals<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-benefits is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hide advertising<\/li>\n<li>Save your favorite articles<\/li>\n<li>Get 15% off in the <a href=\"https:\/\/colossal.shop\/\">Colossal Shop<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Receive members-only newsletter<\/li>\n<li>Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-options is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Join us today!<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-verdigris-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colossal.memberful.com\/checkout?plan=113464\">$7\/month<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-verdigris-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colossal.memberful.com\/checkout?plan=113463\">$75\/year<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-chalk-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\">Explore membership options<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"20\" height=\"21\" class=\"wp-image-327872\" style=\"width: 20px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/arrow-left.svg\" alt><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/aside>\n<nav class=\"navigation post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\">\n<div class=\"nav-links\">\n<div class=\"nav-previous\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/2026\/06\/diana-beltran-herrera-embroidered-paper-sculptures\/\" rel=\"prev\">Next article<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Morgan Hill, \u201cSmorgasbord\u201d (detail) (2024), holly, resin, silk thread, paint, steel, and sterling silver. All images courtesy of the artists and Smithsonian American Art Museum, shared with permission \u2018State Fairs: Growing American Craft\u2019 Surveys Agriculture, Ingenuity, and Community June 17, 2026 ArtCraftDesignHistory Kate Mothes Share Email Bookmark One of the most enduring traditions in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,270],"class_list":["post-1995323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-thisiscolossal-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1995323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1995323"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1995323\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1995323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1995323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1995323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}