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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.”

AWARDS

$3000 Challenge Award for Excellence
"Hope is the thing with feathers," Cody F. Miller, Columbus OH

$3000 Yassenoff Family Award for Excellence & Watkins Printing Poster Award
"She Held Her Breath," April Felipe, Albany OH

Director Emeritus Betty Talbott Award for Excellence
"The Back Forty," Mike Kozumplik, Sherwood OH

Ruth Lantz Award for Excellence in Fiber
"Eclipse," Kathie Roig, Dublin OH

Brian Lonsway Memorial Award for Humor in Craft
"Breakfast is Served," Voicu Marian, Powell OH

Labino Memorial Award for Excellence in Glass
"Downtown Akron Series #5," Anderson Turner, Akron OH

Sue Cavanaugh Memorial Award for Excellence
"Gravity Particle," Molly Johnson, Chesterland OH

Award for Excellence in Metals
"How to Make a Modernist Painting," Kristina Malcolm, Mogadore OH

Award for Excellence
"Intertwine," Hannah Slagell, Columbus, OH

Phyllis Blair Clark Functional Ceramics Workshop Award for Excellence
"Serving Tray & Strawberry Basket," Alison Lowery, Dayton OH

Ed Honton Memorial Award for Excellence
“Eva” Armchair & “Pick” Low Stool, Brian Millspaw, Westfield NY

Barbara Robinson Award for Excellence in Traditional Craft
"Willow Armchair," Liz Hunt, Delaware OH

ODC Director’s Award for Excellence
"Bottle Basket," Sam McCall, Athens OH

ODC Board of Trustees Emerging Craftsman Award
"Ancient Rune," Lane Grigson, Cleveland Heights OH

Emerging Craftsman Scholarship Award in Memory of Julie Yassenoff
Santiago Mora, Columbus OH

The $1000 Artist Scholarship Award
"Thin legged Vases," Eri Sugimoto, Lake Forest CA

This exhibition is free and open to the public, and is made possible with support from the Ohio Arts Council.