We’re excited to announce the release of Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America, a stunning new volume that celebrates more than 250 years of American craftsmanship and the remarkable stories behind the objects that have shaped our nation.
Edited by Emily Zaiden, with a foreword by Carol Sauvion, Handwork explores the artistry, innovation, and cultural traditions found in everyday and iconic handmade objects. Handwork includes illuminating texts from nearly 30 experts nationwide that accompany each object, emphasizing overlooked narratives and the underrepresented artists who helped define American life through their craft. Among these texts are three essays contributed by retired Curator Art Steven L. Grafe, Ph.D. The cover of Handwork includes a photograph of a Columbia River Plateau gauntlet from the Maryhill Museum of Art collection (center).
The book will be available to purchase from the Maryhill Museum of Art store online or in person, with an estimated launch date of July 29, 2026.
View The Official Press Release
This publication was created as part of Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a year-long collaboration among organizations, educators, and makers to celebrate the diversity of the crafts that define America, bringing compelling stories and underrepresented art and artists into the spotlight through the following programs. Presented by Craft in America, it is a nationwide Semiquincentennial initiative to showcase the importance of the handmade both throughout our history and in contemporary life.