COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina State Museum will welcome artists, curators, cultural leaders and arts supporters from across the state for Artist Homecoming 2026: Elements of Craft, a two-day celebration of South Carolina’s arts community October 8-9.
“We are very excited to be back for our third year of Artist Homecoming and to have the opportunity to celebrate the incredible artistic talent found throughout South Carolina,” said South Carolina State Museum Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs Paul Matheny. “We are looking forward to bringing artists and cultural leaders together for a gathering that highlights the rich traditions that make South Carolina’s creative community so unique.”
The event will highlight artists, traditions and creative practices that continue to shape South Carolina’s cultural landscape through exhibitions, panel discussions and opportunities for collaboration and connection.
The celebration begins Thursday, October 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a free opening reception for In the Making: Contemporary Craft from South Carolina. The new juried exhibition features the work of 12 South Carolina artists working in fiber, ceramics, wood, metal, glass, mixed media and other fine craft traditions.
Guests will have an opportunity to preview the exhibition while celebrating the breadth and innovation of contemporary craft practices throughout the state.
The exhibition is part of Handwork 2026: Celebrating American Craft, a nationwide initiative led by Craft in America that recognizes and promotes contemporary craft traditions across the United States.
The event continues Friday, October 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a full day of ticketed programming designed to foster conservation, collaboration and community among artists and art supporters.
Programming will include panel discussions exploring the state of the arts in South Carolina, the tradition of sweetgrass basket making and other topics. Attendees can also participate in artist-led walkthroughs of In the Making: Contemporary Craft from South Carolina and other activities.
The October 8 reception is free and open to the public. Tickets for Artist Homecoming programming on October 9 are $10 per person. Admission is free for museum members and students with a valid student ID.
For more information, visit scmuseum.org or contact [email protected].
Artist Homecoming is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Event program support is also provided by the Columbia Museum of Art and the Columbia Design League.
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