The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Art Gallery in Raleigh, NC, is hosting the NC Society of Goldsmiths this fall with an exhibit titled Handcrafted Adornments. Fifteen members will exhibit approximately 90 one-of-a-kind pieces, on view from Nov. 5-28, 2010.
The NC Society of Goldsmiths (NCSG) members are a diverse and dynamic group of artisans working in all metals using a wide variety of metalsmithing techniques from chain maille to metal casting.
Sheila Stillman of Durham, NC, works exclusively in high-karat gold using the ancient technique of granulation – fusing tiny granules of gold to the surface of a piece of jewelry. She frequently incorporates precious stones into her work as well.
Work by Janet Harriman
Janet Harriman of Smyrna, NC, has been creating original designs as a metalsmith and jeweler for 35 years. She has won numerous awards including purchase awards at Artspace and Carolina Designer Craftsmen. She was educated at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, and the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. She has taught at the Duke University Craft Center and currently gives workshops on enameling.
John Fetvedt, one of the Society’s co-presidents, works primarily in silver, gold and titanium using casting, chain making, etching, fold forming, forging and stone setting techniques. He is particularly skilled in chain making and creates many beautifully intricate chain maille pieces. He teaches chain making classes and has had several articles published in Art Jewelry magazine about wirework.
Monica Hunter’s jewelry ranges from simple to complex using an extensive repertoire of fabrication techniques and assorted metals and materials including stones, pearls, polymers, paint and found objects.
Work by Mirunda Kossoff
Mirinda Kossoff began her creative life in mixed media collage and found that the same line, color, form and self-expression issues lent themselves perfectly to creating jewelry. She likes to work with precious metal clay and sheet metal and sometimes uses resin, gemstones and found objects in her work. She also likes to use Keum Boo, an ancient Korean technique for applying 24k gold to fine silver.
These are just a few of the members exhibiting to give an idea of the scope of experience of the group. NCSG was founded in 1989 to provide opportunities for education and information exchange among members. They are a non-profit organization which seeks to support and advance the work of member metalsmiths and artisans. Membership is open to practicing metalsmiths, retail or manufacturing jewelers, students and persons who are interested in the art and wish to be contributing members of the Society.
For further information call 919/733-7450, ext. 360 or visit (www.naturalsciences.org/store/nature_gallery.html).
Carolina Arts News 