St. Louis Furniture Maker Selected for Elite Smithsonian Craft Show

Martin Goebel's sculptural trunk and zebrawood table will be featured at the prestigious annual event.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:53am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a wooden chair or table repeated in a tight grid pattern, using vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines to transform an everyday furniture item into modern pop art.A St. Louis furniture maker's selection for the prestigious Smithsonian Craft Show spotlights the enduring creativity and craftsmanship of contemporary American design.St. Louis Today

St. Louis furniture designer and manufacturer Martin Goebel has been selected to exhibit four of his works at the prestigious Smithsonian Craft Show, one of the nation's most competitive showcases of contemporary American craft. The show, scheduled for April 22–26 in Washington, D.C., typically features about 120 artists chosen from more than 1,200 applicants, implying an acceptance rate of roughly 10% or less.

Why it matters

The Smithsonian Craft Show is considered one of the most elite and prestigious platforms for contemporary American craft artists to showcase their work. Being selected is a major career milestone that can significantly boost an artist's profile and open doors to new opportunities.

The details

Goebel, founder of Goebel Furniture, will present four works at the show, including a sculptural trunk made from locally sourced Osage orange and a round table in zebrawood featuring a sunburst veneer top and hand-finished details.

  • The Smithsonian Craft Show is scheduled for April 22–26, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

The players

Martin Goebel

A St. Louis-based furniture designer and manufacturer, and the founder of Goebel Furniture.

Smithsonian Craft Show

One of the nation's most competitive showcases of contemporary American craft, featuring about 120 artists chosen from more than 1,200 applicants.

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What they’re saying

“Being selected for the Smithsonian Craft Show is a tremendous honor. These pieces reflect a deep reverence for the history of craft and a belief that the best furniture being made today can emerge from the integration of automation, digital design, and the sensitivity of the human hand.”

— Martin Goebel, Founder, Goebel Furniture

The takeaway

Martin Goebel's selection for the prestigious Smithsonian Craft Show is a testament to his skill and craftsmanship as a furniture designer, and highlights the continued vitality of the contemporary American craft movement, even in the face of increasing automation and digital design.