Archive for August, 2015
Introducing Metalsmith EXTRA!
A new page on the SNAG website!
Contemporary metalsmithing is a dynamic field, with creativity flowing on many fronts. Metalsmith EXTRA! helps capture this vitality and extends the magazine’s broad coverage. Here you will find exclusive content related to each issue, with bonus images, expanded stories, and videos of artists and studios. Be sure to check in regularly for something extra to spark your interest and widen your outlook on the metalsmithing world.
We launch Metalsmith EXTRA! with videos tied to the 2015 Exhibition in Print, “Moved by Metal: On Beauty as Interaction.” Curated by Wendy Steiner, the showcased works all encourage interaction and empathetic involvement. This video selection from artists in the issue helps brings these dynamic works to life.
SNAG would like to take this opportunity to recognize our Corporate Members for their support: Aaron Faber Gallery, Halstead, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, and Pocosin Arts.
Member Achievements – August 2015
Karen Christians has released a new book called Jewelry of Burning Man. This brand new photo-rich publication is a collection of works crafted for Burning Man, the annual week-long festival held in Nevada. Burning Man is founded on the principle of communal support and generosity. Unique to Burning Man, all the jewelry featured in the book was made for the sole purpose of giving it away.
Terry Fromm has been Houston Center for for Contemporary Crafts’ resident artist for July and August. Her art is constructed from a variety of metals that are often manipulated so that they mimic the look and characteristics of other softer materials. Inspired by flowing forms observed both in nature and in draping textiles, she creates small quantities of finely crafted jewelry and small sculptural vessels.
Kaminer Haislip is a finalist for the Martha Stewart American Made Award in the Design category. Haislip is a contemporary silversmith who designs and handcrafts original, functional objects.
Anne Havel had work included in these exhibitions: In Essence: Celebrating 65 Years of Art at the Webster Estate, Southern Vermont Art Center, Manchester, VT; Force of Nature, The Karl Drerup Art Gallery, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH; Handcrafted, Maria V. Howard Arts Center, Rocky Mount, NC, where she earned an award of merit; Alchemy 3, Juried Exhibition of The Enamelist Society, Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, NH.
Younha Jung is a new resident artist at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Jung specializes in wearable modern jewelry. Her work expresses emotional changes that humans feel as part of a course of adaptation to the change in their surroundings. Currently, she is making jewelry made from re-purposed steel and found objects collected from a particular building. She will be with HCCC through May 2016.
Claudio Pino’s rings are included in the exhibit Out of This World! Jewelry in the Space Age at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition, for the celebrations of The Canada Craft Year 2015, initiated by the Canadian Crafts Federation, Pino was invited to present his rings in the traveling exhibition Naked Craft, currently at the Art Gallery of Burlington.
Casey Sheppard is on a year-long U.S. tour to connect communities. She will be getting involved, volunteering, and teaching workshops, while keeping a blog about her travels. Casey is visiting schools, art centers and other venues to teach workshops on cold connection and found objects. She also invites students and staff to join her after the class for a tour of her traveling metal studio.
Paul J. Smith has published a book called Masters of Craft. It is a personal collection of portraits taken by Smith featuring 224 artists working in fiber, clay, glass, metal, and wood. Smith is Director Emeritus of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. Collectively the photographs illustrate makers who have much in common and who are part of a community that share friendships, interests, and a belief in the importance of the handmade object. Of the 43 metal artists included, several photos were taken at SNAG conferences.
SNAG would like to take this opportunity to recognize our Corporate Members for their support: Aaron Faber Gallery, Halstead, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, and Pocosin Arts.
BlacksmitHER Radio Interviews SNAG Executive Director
Just released! An interview with SNAG Executive Director Gwynne Rukenbrod Smith on BlacksmitHER Radio. Listen now
Would you like to know what your fellow blacksmith peers are saying about their blacksmithing businesses, or get inspired by a project they are working on or techniques they are using? You can do that by listening to interviews with Victoria Patti on BlacksmitHER Radio.
What is BlacksmitHER Radio? An audio only podcast show that:
* Interviews blacksmiths around the world.
* Provides relatable topics that can help blacksmiths such as tool usage, pricing and time management.
* Offers education, entertainment and a sense of community and camaraderie among the guests and listeners.
Board Members Speak: Angela Bubash
What brought you to wanting a board position?
I want to give back to an organization that is important to me. The SNAG community has been vitally important to my development as an artist and educator.
What are your plans for board participation (your committee assignment)?
I am on the Editorial Advisory Committee of Metalsmith magazine and well as the Board Liaison to the magazine. I am also in the early stages of developing a fundraising initiative to collect scrap metal for SNAG.
What exciting, interesting, confounding things are you doing right now (in your life other than being on the board)?
I started a new job at Longwood University in Virginia. It’s a small school with fantastic studios where I am developing the metals program within the new Design in Craft major. We also have an awesome working artist residency and visiting artist program. I am excited to bring the SNAG community to my students.
My own work continues to evolve as I explore memory-inducing scent. I am creating evocative and thought provoking work that involves viewer/wearer participation.
SNAG Member Wins 10th Annual Halstead Grant
Halstead awards top honors to Samantha Skelton, artist and owner of Samantha Skelton Jewelry Designs based in Fairview, PA. The 10th annual Halstead Grant recognizes jewelry design excellence and business strategy acumen with $5,000 in cash and $1,000 in jewelry supplies, promotion on HalsteadBead.com and industry exposure.
Skelton is an active SNAG member. She studied fine art in undergraduate at Edinboro University and earned an MFA with a focus on metalsmithing from Miami University in 2013. Her delicate, sculptural jewelry has a modern, urban aesthetic. Skelton’s business includes custom jewelry, wholesale and gallery consignment in addition to art fairs and online sales.
Split Cage Drop Pendants, polished and patinaed sterling silver
Skelton says, “I have worked so hard to grow my jewelry design company and being recognized as the 2015 Halstead Grant winner is such an honor. I’m beyond excited! Prior to the application process, I had been working towards small goals. But, being able to see a big picture has really helped me take the next steps forward.”
Skelton’s jewelry designs are heavily influenced by her training as a metal sculpture artist. She says, “Alongside my sculptures, I found myself making smaller sculptural jewelry, almost as a sketch for larger pieces. It allowed me to play with form in a much faster and more direct way.”
Hilary Halstead Scott, President of Halstead and founder of the Halstead Grant says, “Samantha has a rare blend of cohesive, original jewelry work and knockout business smarts. The craftsmanship in her pieces and the strategic touches throughout her small business plan show impressive attention to detail. This young woman is going places.”
Congratulations Samantha!