Gyeongsangbuk-do has showcased works by local craft artists in the United States, highlighting the excellence of Gyeongsangbuk-do's traditional crafts and their potential for entering the global market.

Gyeongsangbuk-do announced that it held the '2026 Gyeongsangbuk-do Traditional Craft Special Exhibition (Korean Craftsmanship)' in the Washington, D.C. area from Tuesday, September 22 to Sunday, September 27. This special exhibition was organized to introduce works by craft artists active in Gyeongsangbuk-do and to promote the artistic and cultural value of K-crafts.

The special exhibition took place at the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum from September 22 to 24, followed by an exhibition at the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building from September 25 to 27. Notably, starting September 25, the Gyeongsangbuk-do Craft Special Exhibition was presented separately in conjunction with the Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show.

Through a competitive evaluation process, 12 selected artists participated and exhibited their works: Kwon Soon-nam (Uiseong - Natural Dyeing), Kwon Jung-soon (Gumi - Minhwa / Folk Painting), Kim Mi-jung (Seongju - Hanbok), Kim Eun-joo (Andong - Hanji Craft), Ryu Gi-nam (Andong - Minhwa), Park Chul-eon (Chilgok - Ceramics), Son Jung-won (Pohang - Minhwa), Yoon Hye-jung (Chilgok - Woodcraft), Lee Soon-ae (Cheongdo - Natural Dyeing), Jung Da-yeon (Andong - Andongpo / Hemp Fabric), Jung Hye-jin (Ulleung - Ceramics), and Choi Min-kyung (Andong - Hanji Craft).

Hanbok and tea-ceremony experiences were also operated, offering foreign visitors a hands-on opportunity to directly experience Korean culture.

The opening ceremony was attended by Lee Talbot, Senior Curator at the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum; Paul Taylor, Senior Curator at the Smithsonian Institution; and Park Jong-taek, Director of the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C., who encouraged the craft artists.

Participating artists shared their thoughts, saying, "It was a meaningful occasion to introduce works combining traditional and contemporary Korean crafts to the global stage. Through this special exhibition, we confirmed the overseas market potential of Gyeongsangbuk-do crafts and hope this leads to various future international exchanges and collaborations."

Lee Chul-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, stated, "This special exhibition in the United States will serve as an opportunity to promote the excellence of Gyeongsangbuk-do's craft art to the world and expand cultural diplomacy. We will continue to support overseas exhibitions so that Gyeongsangbuk-do crafts gain even greater recognition worldwide."

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]