Minnesota Handwork
A celebration of all things fiber art in Minnesota during 2026
In honor of America 250, and as a site for Craft in America’s “Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026”, Textile Center will present Minnesota Handwork. Handwork is a universal carrier of artistic and cultural practices that connect all Minnesotans throughout our region’s rich history through a common thread. 2026 is the year that Minnesota Handwork will celebrate the state’s proliferate (wide-ranging, prolific) fiber art history, emerging from tradition and brimming with innovation to connect us all. Bridging community, healing community, creating community–this is at the heart of fiber art practice, here in Minnesota.
Textile Center, a national center for fiber art located in Minneapolis, is poised with the foresight and staff to undertake a year of celebrating handwork, centered on a series of fiber art exhibitions to feature Minnesota Native artists, emerging artists, accomplished artists, guild and community artists, artists with disabilities, and 2SLBGTQIA+ artists.
MINNESOTA HANDWORK EXHIBITIONS
McKnight Fiber Artist Fellowship Exhibition: Christine Novotny + Shannon Lucas Westrum, January 13 – April 1, 2026
Artist reception Thursday, March 19, 5 – 7 pm; Fellows’ presentations begin at 6 pm
Unbound, January 27 – April 4, 2026 Artist reception Thursday, March 19, 5 – 7 pm (McKnight artists presentations begin at 6 pm)
Mni Sota: Traditions and Innovations and 2-Spirit Stories, April 17 – July 11, 2026 Artist reception Thursday, June 4, 5:30 – 7 pm
A Common Thread (our member biennial!), July 28 – October 10, 2026 Artist reception Thursday, August 6, 5:30 – 7 pm
Embodied Material, October 20, 2026 – January 7, 2027 Artist reception Thursday, November 5, 5:30 – 7 pm
Holiday Gallery Shop, November 3 – December 24, 2026 Artist reception Thursday, November 5, 5:30 – 7 pm
Keep up with developments on our page on the HANDWORK website HERE
