ND Artists Rick & Connie Whittier Selected for Major Smithsonian Exhibition Showcasing American Craft

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Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - 09:00 am Categories:

Press Releases

A collage featuring Rick and Connie Whittier at the top, smiling and holding a carved paddlefish spearfish decoy at an indoor ice arena. Below them, six images show their handcrafted spearfish decoys labeled with fish species: North Dakota Perch, Yellowbelly Bullhead, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Walleye (three decoys grouped together), and Rainbow Trout. The title reads “Connie and Rick Whittier’s Handcrafted Spearfish Decoys.”

Acclaimed North Dakota artists Rick and Connie Whittier, known nationally for their hand-carved and painted spearfish decoys, will be featured in a landmark exhibition titled State Fairs: Growing American Craft at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s branch location for contemporary craft in Washington, D.C. The exhibition will be on view August 22, 2025 through September 7, 2026.

Read Full Press Release: ND Artists Rick and Connie Whittier Featured in Major Smithsonian Exhibition Showcasing American Craft

*Email NDCA Public Information Officer Rhea Beto <rbeto@nd.gov> to request high resolution files of the Whittier's hand-carved decoys.

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