Your Ticket to the Best State Fair Crafts with Smithsonian Curator Mary Savig
A Library Speakers Consortium and Smithsonian Institution Collaboration
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026, at 1:00 PM
Register now for your private live link or find the recording after the event here: https://libraryc.org/danvillepubliclibrary/172098

Join us for a fascinating discussion with Smithsonian Curator Mary Savig on the history and significance of craft at state fairs—from blue-ribbon quilts to sculpted butter cows, and so much more!

A Dolly Parton crop art portrait. Size-96 cowboy boots. A button quilt. This book features more than 100 photos of extraordinary and unconventional crafts from state and tribal fairs, including needlework, basketry, jewelry, ceramics, crop art, butter sculpture, and saddles. The catalog highlights personal stories and regional and cultural traditions, creating a vibrant portrait of American life. Come one, come all! State Fairs has a little something for everyone.

Register now to hear about the fascinating (and often surprising) world of American state fair crafts!

About the Author: 

Mary Savig is The Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. She holds a PhD in American Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park.

All events are free and open to the public.  For more information or to register for the author talks, visit https://libraryc.org/danvillepubliclibrary or call 217-477-5220.
Questions? Visit the FAQ page here: https://help.libraryc.org/patron-faq/frequently-asked-questions/

Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium and a grant from Danville Library Foundation.

The Library is committed to making programs accessible to all. If you would like an accommodation, please email the Community Relations Administrator at btruscelli@danvillepubliclibrary.org or call 217-477-5220 ext. 111.