Best of 2026

The School of Art Collection and Galleries is pleased to present “Best of 2026,” a juried exhibition showcasing contemporary fine craft by 69 artists, on view in the CVA, Payto and Crawford Galleries located in the Center for the Visual Arts, 325 Terrace Drive, Kent, Ohio, August 25 through Oct. 7, 2026. There will be a reception on August 28 from 5-7 p.m.. 

The exhibition was organized by the Ohio Designer Craftsmen. The Ohio Designer Craftsmen is a statewide organization that engages and enriches the community through high-quality exhibitions, education programs and supports/promotes the professional development of fine craft artists. This year’s exhibition was juried by Carol Sauvion, creator of the Peabody-award-winning PBS series, "Craft in America," and the recently retired executive director of the Craft in America organization. They selected 73 works in clay, glass, metal, wood, fiber and mixed media from nearly 400 entries. Thirteen artists received awards of excellence. 

“What a joyful experience it was to become familiar with new and vibrant manifestations of the best of contemporary craft, which has evolved tremendously in the past decades,” Sauvion said. “It was a pleasure to ‘meet’ many new artists, and I look forward to following their careers and staying in touch with the work being done so well and for such a long time by the Ohio Designer Craftsmen.”