Meeting Point Munich

The central exhibition area is dedicated to special shows organized by the Munich and Upper Bavaria Chamber of Crafts under the direction of Barbara Schmidt. The SCHMUCKmünchen is of paramount importance for contemporary jewelry. It will be curated in 2026 by Sam Tho Duong, who came to Pforzheim from Vietnam as a boat refugee with his family in 1981 at the age of twelve. He attended goldsmithing school and university in Pforzheim and is now one of Germany’s most renowned jewelry artists. Nearly seventy artists were selected from over 1,000 submissions – a new record. Sam Tho Duong explained that he wanted to bring new talent to the special exhibition. The standard was incredibly high, the jewelry artist said, adding that he was saddened to have to exclude some works.

One of the themes at this year’s Exempla as part of Handwerk & Design is repairing. Celia Pym Socks. Photo Charles Emerson.

Erico Nagai will be honored in 2026 as a “Classic of Modernism.” Born in Tokyo in 1947, she was the first Japanese woman to study jewelry and silversmithing at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich after 1945. Find out why she came to Munich, why she switched from painting to the jewelry class, and how she became one of the most important jewelry artists of her time in the cover story of the new Art Aurea, issue 63, Spring 2026.

SCHMUCKmünchen is complemented by the exhibitors of Frame, where international galleries present international jewelry art. Rosemarie Jäger from Hochheim will once again showcase top-quality pieces in the fields of metalwork and ceramics. SCHMUCKmünchen also represents the more than 100 exhibitions of designer jewelry in the Munich area. The conferral of the prestigious Herbert Hoffmann Prize on the Saturday of the fair is a highlight for all aficionados of wearable art.

Christine Demmel, Freigeist brooch, 2025. Parchment, antique glass beads, synthetic thread, silver, stainless steel. On display at Handwerk & Design, JAC jewellery art concept, booth B1.746. © Christine Demmel.

The EXEMPLAmünchen trade fair, with its “living” workshops, annually enjoys strong popularity with visitors. Under the motto Shaping the Future, the focus in 2026 is on skilled trades in relation to society and the environment. The organizers in Munich state: “Despite digitalization and artificial intelligence, skilled trades hold the world together.” EXEMPLAmünchen is accordingly more dedicated than ever to the future: “What materials do we want to surround ourselves with in the future? How can digital technologies help ensure that skilled trades remain viable?” For example, a start-up company is building rotor blades from wood for small and medium-sized wind turbines. A Swiss company is presenting cargo bikes specifically designed for tradespeople. The topic of repair is explored in a variety of ways, from darning socks and Japanese kintsugi to the restoration of historic coffeehouse chairs. The social aspects of skilled trades are also presented: These include vocational training in juvenile detention centers, digital design at the University of Kassel, and the Erasmus+ program, which enables skilled tradespeople to work and learn in other countries. “Craftsmanship stands for meticulousness and sustainability, combining time-tested methods with innovative ideas regarding materials, techniques and design. It offers tailor-made solutions that fit perfectly and last a long time.” EXEMPLAmünchen 2026 showcases specific examples of many of these qualities.

Kaori Juzu, Japan/Denmark, working on her enamel jewelry. Participant at Handwerk & Design, Munich 2026. © Kaori Juzu.

The special exhibition TALENTEmünchen – Masters of the Future focuses on the future of creative craftsmanship. Young designers up to 35 years of age from a wide variety of trades show their skills here – often as part of their final projects – ranging from textiles and jewelry to objects, glass, ceramics, furniture making and paper creations. On the one hand, visitors can view ambitious items that transform traditional everyday objects into independent works of art; on the other hand, there are pieces that primarily demonstrate mastery of craftsmanship and technology. In any case, visitors can see what questions motivate these young designers, which materials they prefer and how they are developing traditional approaches.

Kim Jihyun, vessel from the Balance series. Silver-plated brass, ottchil lacquer, acrylic, 17.5 x 35.3 x 14.5 cm. To be seen at TALENTEmünchen. Photo KC studio.

The Arts and Crafts section originated in 2008 as part of the International Crafts Fair. In addition to special exhibitions and presentations from regional vocational schools, there are also numerous small booths showcasing individual handcrafted items. The idea of bringing together outstanding achievements in craftsmanship, arts and crafts, and design at the International Crafts Fair has long since become the central focus of the fair.