Handworks Gallery of American Crafts

The owner, manager, and buyer for Handworks is Glenn Johnson. An artist/craftsman in his own right, Glenn has been making and selling artwork since he was six years old. In the early seventies, Glenn became a member of the American Crafts Council. He attended the ACC shows in Rhinebeck, NY and he co-founded his first gallery.

In the late eighties, he pursued other artistic interests but missed the crafts world and all of its wonderful people. Glenn bought Handworks in 1995 and brought to it a new energy and focus.

The Handworks Gallery of American Crafts is located on Great Road (Route 2A) in Acton, Massachusetts between Routes 95 and 495.

location map

From 495

Take Exit 31, Route 119, Groton/Littleton, head toward Littleton.
Route 2A joins up with 119 in Littleton Center. You just keep going straight.
We are about 6 miles from Route 495 through 4 sets of lights, on the left hand side of the street, just past Colonial Chevrolet in Estabrook Plaza. We have a blue and gold carved sign.

From Route 128/95

Take Route 2 West. At the second set of lights, Route 2 turns left.
Follow through 5 more traffic lights. You will come to the Concord Rotary in front of MCI Concord (the Prison).
Take the second right off the rotary (Routes 2A & 119 toward Littleton).
We are 1 1/2 miles from the rotary on the right hand side of the street, just after Pier 1. We are in the Estabrook Plaza and have a blue and gold carved sign.

The photo at right features the work of the following artisans
(left to right):

Sy Levine
Laura Lacroix
Leslie Thompson
Josh Simpson
Karen Orsillo
Jonathan Winfisky

Recent Awards

Chosen as one of the top 25 craft galleries in the US by Niche Magazine for 2007...NICHE Award

Received an Award of Excellence from the Retailers Association of Massachusetts...a RAMAE

Received star of area retail & restaurant award (SOARR) from the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce for Best Creative Visual Display.


Garden in the Gallery April 11 - May 31, 2009
To celebrate Spring, Handworks Gallery will be having it's annual "Garden in the Gallery" sculpture show from April 5 through May 30. We plant a garden in the center of the gallery with bark mulch, moss and flowering plants to create an environment for the display of garden sculptures, birdbaths and fountains.
Garden Gate by Ray Ciemny	It's fun to see the surprise on people's faces when they see the garden as they come in the front door. The pieces in the show range from whimsical to serious sculpture. This Spring, among the many artists represented, we will feature standing steel structures by Whitmore Boogaerts, Ray Ciemny, & Francis Vega. Steel Butterfly Bench by Francis Vega

September and October 2009

This show will feature new and emerging local New England artists who have had little or no exposure in town. Promises to be exciting for everyone. Exact dates and artists to be announced.

Expressions of Love
January 31, 2009 - February 22
Reception February 8

Photo: Story Teller Porcelain sculpture by Nancy Craemer		This is an exhibit of individual works by New England artists and craftspeople (mostly very local) that embody the spirit of Valentine's Day. Each piece in the show was made for a loved one or to honor or remember a loved one. The artists have shared the stories behind these pieces and those stories are displayed with each piece. Together they let us experience these expressions of love. From very talented professional artists to the younger less experienced participants, all the work is elevated by the love that inspired the labor. None of these pieces is for sale. (Handworks does have other Valentine gifts made by American craftspeople available for sale.) We solicit submissions for this juried show from artists and craftspeople and anyone who has created a gift that was a labor of love. This is our thirteenth annual "Expressions of Love". We hope you will attend.

Handworks Gallery was founded 30 years ago. In a sunny and pleasant environment, the gallery's owner Glenn Johnson displays an extensive collection of the finest in American crafts. On any given day, the creations of over 200 of the finest American craftspeople are presented. The fine craftsmanship and thoughtful design of this array of jewelry, pottery, fiber, woodenware, blown and stained glass, and sculpture make each item special. More than 300 craftspeople are represented yearly in an ever-changing display of some of the highest quality work being produced today.

Some of the artists have work in museums, the White House, and in international collections. Glenn has known many of these artists since the early days of Rhinebeck (Rhinebeck represents the resurgence of the crafts movement in the United States).

Other incredibly talented craftspeople are just beginning to have their works discovered. It is very exciting and fulfilling to watch and encourage the growth of these younger artists in the crafts community by carrying their works in the gallery.

Handworks Gallery also offers shows which spotlight different disciplines and themes. For example, for the "Garden Sculpture" show, the gallery is planted and mulched to create a background for the display of outdoor sculptures. "Expressions of Love" is a Valentine's exhibit of pieces made for or to honor a loved one. Other shows are held throughout the year.