Penland Metals Workshops

Workshops are open to serious students of all levels unless specified in course description; beginners welcome.

Raïssa Bump, Necklace, sterling silver,

vintage glass beads, 3 x 6 x 1/4 in.

In the spirit of collage, this class is an opportunity to make new jewelry from old, to revisit and find inspiration from what you have accumulated: your scraps, broken pieces, or collections of found objects. These pieces will become a starting point for conversation, writing, and making. Expect to have fun recontextualizing and creating dialogs through unexpected pairings. The class will cover basic metalsmithing skills. All levels. Code 02MA

Jeweler and knitwear designer; teaching: Diablo Valley College (CA), IS183 Art School (MA), exhibitions: SOFA Chicago and New York, Sienna Gallery (MA), Velvet da Vinci (San Francisco); work published in six books from Lark Books including 500 Brooches and 1000 Rings.

Tom Muir, Twin Risers teapot, sterling silver,

8-1/2 x 4 x 14-1/2 in.

Vessels and containers are capable of great inventiveness and variety. This class will give students insight into the aesthetics, engineering, and utility of metal vessels and will help them make their own vessel innovations. We will explore forming, small- and large-scale soldering, and fabrication strategies, giving students a deeper understanding of the working principles and creative possibilities of the form. All levels, but basic metalworking skills will be helpful. Code 02MB

Professor of art and head of jewelry and metalsmithing at Bowling Green State University (OH); Michigan Council for the Arts fellowship, several Ohio Arts Council fellowships; 12 best-in-show awards in exhibitions nationally; collections: Art Institute of Chicago, Renwick Gallery (DC), White House Craft Collection (DC).

2nd Session also includes Crafting Memory, Dreaming History: Writing from Experience, a special writing workshop with Sharona Muir.

This class will examine ways to add sound and light to objects and environments. Physical computing involves programming small computers to sense and respond to the physical world. Arduino microcontrollers and inexpensive kits for hooking them up to a vast number of things have opened physical computing to artists. This class will teach beginners how to use these boards along with sensors, switches, speakers, motors, LED lights, and more to add light and sound to their work. students should bring laptop computers. Beginning level. Code 03MA

Composer, artist, professor in the art, technology, and sound departments at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; exhibitions: 2003 Biennial of Electronic Art (Australia), Pritzker Pavillion (Chicago), Art Basel Miami, Museum of Art and Design (NYC), Victoria and Albert Museum (London), Indianapolis Museum, 21st Century Museum (Kanazawa, Japan); frequently collaborates with other artists including, most recently, Jan Erik-Anderssson and Anne Wilson.

April Wood, Feeding the Hunger 4, copper, steel,

sheep gut, 6 x 6 x 5-1/2 in.

This class will explore steel from a jeweler’s perspective. Delve into gold and silver soldering on steel, both as a surface embellishment and a fabrication method. Learn to weld steel wire and sheet on the intimate scale of jewelry. Surface techniques will include chasing and repoussé, coloring, and patinas. Students will also work with found steel, printed steel (tinplate), and a variety of cold connections. Basic sawing, soldering, and filing skills required. Code 03MB

Studio artist; teaching: Maryland Institute College of Art (Baltimore), Corcoran College of Art and Design (DC); three Maryland State Arts Council awards; exhibitions: Austin Museum (TX), Ornamental Metals Museum (Memphis); publications: Surface Design, Metalsmith.

Arthur Hash, Brooch, 14k gold, copper, enamel,

stainless steel, 2 x 3/4 x 1/4 in.

In this class students will learn to combine new metal fabrication methods with traditional enameling to make one-of-a-kind jewelry. We will cover salt-water etching, alternative stonesetting, and environmentally-friendly studio habits, along with enameling techniques such as champlevé, stenciling, texturing, sgraffito, and other mark-making. The class will include detailed instructional handouts and extensive lists of material and tool sources. All levels welcome, but basic metalworking skills will be helpful. Code 04MA

Instructor and technician in the metals program at State University of New York-New Paltz; two Virginia Museum of Fine Arts fellowships, American Craft Council Searchlight Artist; exhibitions: Quirk Gallery (VA), Facere Gallery (Seattle), Society of Arts and Crafts (Boston), Velvet da Vinci (San Francisco), Oregon College of Arts and Crafts.

Munya Upin, Charmed bracelet, sterling silver,

bronze, Bakelite, 7 x 2-1/4 x 1/4 in.

Learn soldering, sawing, annealing, roller printing, forming, forging, and more. These basic skills are the foundation for all other metals workshops. Students will become confident with a torch and knowledgeable about nonferrous metals and their properties. Earrings, pins, necklaces, bracelets, containers--we will cover it all. We will also cover the elements and principles of design and the history of the contemporary metals movement. Beginning level, but experienced students are welcome. Code 04MB

Studio artist; teaching: University of Wisconsin, Southwest Texas State, De Cordova Museum School (MA), Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (MA); NICHE award; co-owner of ALCHEMY 9.2.5 Gallery (MA); exhibitions: Mobilia Gallery (MA), Thomas Mann Gallery I/O (New Orleans), Taboo Studio (CA), SOFA New York, Arsenal Center for the Arts (MA); collections: Jewish Museum (NYC), University of Hawaii.

Amir Friedman, Pepper Mill, steel and wood,

280 x 280 x 80 mm.

Since early times humans have used motion and mechanics for survival. In this era of luxury, we are free to harness movement for our own pleasure. Join me on a quest to harvest energy and transform it into ornament. We will explore different means of taming the earth’s elements, forces, and our abilities. Using craft and design, we will assemble jewelry and objects that may last for a lifetime or be gone in a flash. Hinges, mechanisms, tracks, springs, magnets, and more are welcome in this class. Basic sawing, filing, and soldering skills required. Code 05MA

Designer, jeweler, blacksmith; teaching: Bezalel Academy (Jerusalem); exhibitions: Gallery Complete (Israel), Herzl Lilenblum Museum (Israel), Eretz Israel Museum; collections: Israel Discount Bank.

Aaron Nelson, Audiobook, steel, brass,

motor and microcontroller, 16 x 16 x 16 in.

This workshop is your introduction to physical computing and interaction. We will use sensors, microcontrollers, and metal fabrication techniques to create objects that react and respond to the environment and people around them. We will explore circuit building and bending, coding with Arduino microcontrollers, mechanisms and movements, and the fabrication of parts on the manual lathe, plus TIG and MIG welding. Students must have a laptop computer. Basic soldering, sawing, and filing skills required. Code 05MB

Studio artist, technician at the University of Arkansas School of Architecture; teaching: University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth; exhibitions: Gallery 224 (MA), University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Southeastern College Art Conference (NC).

Anika Smulovitz, body in motion -

breathe 2, sterling silver, repurposed

clothing, 3-1/2 x 4 x 3/4 in.

In this workshop we will explore possibilities for combining metal with unexpected materials to create jewelry and/or small objects. Each day we will discuss different conceptual and technical approaches and look at the work of artists who are finding inspiration and beauty in unexpected places. Materials will include metal, wood, plastics, paper, fabric, and found objects. Techniques will include soldering, cold connections, bezel and tube settings, hydraulic forming, and color applications. All levels, but basic metalworking skills will be helpful. Code 06MA

Professor at Boise State University (ID), exhibitions: Velvet da Vinci (San Francisco), Society of Arts and Crafts (Boston), Craft Alliance (St. Louis); board of directors of Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG); holds a U.S. design patent for her Lip Liners; collection: Jewish Museum (NYC).

Julia Harrison, Thomas, maple, paint,

wax, 3 x 2-1/2 x 2 in. each

Do you aim to make unique and meaningful jewelry? Consider adding wood to your repertoire! This beautiful, versatile, and affordable material is ideal for experimenting with both techniques and concepts. Using found and commercial wood and low-tech tools, we will investigate a wide range of topics including fabrication, veneering, handcarving, and stonesetting. Additional exercises and critiques will guide each student toward developing personal content and style. All levels. Code 06MB

Studio artist; teaching: Pratt Fine Arts (WA), Multnomah Arts Center (OR), Centrum (WA), 92nd St. Y (NYC); exhibitions: Wharton Esherick Museum (PA), Velvet da Vinci (CA), Rouse Gallery (MD), Racine Art Museum (WA), Museum of Contemporary Craft (OR).

Melanie Bilenker, Stepping into Shoes brooch,

hair, paper, wood, gold, brass, mineral crystal,

2 x 2 x 1/2 in.

Students in this workshop will make pendants or brooches to preserve personal mementos under watch crystals. Through demonstrations of basic jewelry fabrication techniques, including bezel settings, rivets, tabs, and pegs, students will learn to incorporate varied materials into jewelry. Inspiration will come from historic and contemporary wearable keepsakes. We will use collaborative problem solving to approach the unique challenges presented by each piece. All levels welcome, but basic metalworking skills will be helpful. Code 07MA

Studio artist; teaching: University of the Arts (Philadelphia); Pew arts fellowship; exhibitions: Renwick Gallery (DC), Kohler Arts Center (WI), representation: Sienna Gallery (MA), Gallerie Ra (Netherlands).

Fred Fenster, Bowl, pewter, 8 in. tall

This is a basic class in making pewter objects for the home and table. The class will cover raising, sinking, fusing, soldering, scoring, folding, basic tool making, and other skills needed to make unique pieces. The class will include daily demonstrations. Books, magazines, and examples of finished work will be available at all times.

Fred: professor emeritus from University of Wisconsin-Madison; fellow of the American Craft Council, Penland 2011 Outstanding Artist Educator; collections: Renwick Gallery (DC), North Carolina Museum of Art. Hiroko: studio artist, owner of Hyart Gallery (WI); honorary fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; work exhibited at American Craft Council shows in Baltimore, San Francisco, and St. Paul.

7th Session also includes Business Time, a special business practice workshop with Phil Sanders.

Adam Whitney, Grind Belt Buckle, brass, chased

and repoussed, 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches

Students in this workshop will make jewelry or small-scale metal objects as they acquire fundamental metal-working knowledge including basic processes, understanding metal, and studio/equipment awareness. We’ll discuss basic design principles, and as each technique is introduced, we’ll explore its specific design attributes. As students progress, we’ll move into intermediate metalworking skills such as casting, chasing and repoussé, and combining metals with other materials through unique connections and settings. Beginning/intermediate level. Code F00MA

Lecturer in jewelry design at Raffles College of Higher Education, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia); former Penland metals studio coordinator.

Mi-Sook Hur, Peppers, Seedpod Series (detail),

sterling silver, plastic, poplar

Have you ever wished you could reproduce beautiful and intricate natural objects and use them in your work? We’ll collect small objects from the landscape, the grocery store, and the garden, including seedpods, vegetables, nuts, stones, twigs, and other forms. We’ll make molds from these objects using silicon rubber and then reproduce the original forms in plastic, wax, or paper pulp. We’ll discuss how to incorporate your cast pieces into jewelry. And, as a bonus, we’ll make food-safe molds and cast personalized candies and chocolates. All skill levels and media interests welcome. Code F01MB

Associate professor at East Carolina University; Kohler Arts Center residency (WI); exhibitions: SOFA Chicago, Tong-In Gallery (Korea), VicenzaOro II (Italy).

Seth Gould, Small Hacksaw, steel, ebony, brass,

4 x 13-1/2 x 1-1/2 inches

Students in this workshop will learn the basics of working steel while making their own tools. We’ll start with a center punch as we cover basic forging, filing, and heat treating. Then students will make a riveting hammer and learn finishing techniques, handle making, and ornamentation through decorative file work. Students will walk away with the basic knowledge needed to make simple tools in their own studio. This workshop will emphasize making tools that are beautiful as well as functional. Because there is forging involved, the work will be somewhat physical. All levels. Code F03MB

Studio artist, toolmaker; teaching: University of Arkansas (Little Rock); 2013 Niche Award finalist (PA), Belvedere Grant (ME), Penland Core Fellowship; exhibitions: Penland Gallery (NC), Torpedo Factory (VA), National Ornamental Metals Museum (TN).

Sarah Loertscher, Structure Neckpiece #13,

stainless steel, sterling silver, 7 x 8 x 3-1/2 inches

This workshop will focus on fabrication using repetition to build familiarity with materials and techniques. We’ll cover the basics—piercing, filing, riveting, cold connections, soldering—and advanced techniques like hollow construction (sheet and wire), inlay (solder, resin, wood, and soft stone), enameling, and steel fabrication. This workshop is perfect for beginners as well as experienced students interested in creating a production line or new body of work. The emphasis will be on honing skills and creating meaningful, well-designed jewelry and objects.. All levels. Code S00MA

Studio artist; teaching: Pratt Fine Art Center (WA); Penland Core Fellowship, American Craft Council AltCraft artist; exhibitions: Velvet da Vinci (CA), Sienna Gallery (MA); runway collaborations: New York Fashion Week (Angel Sanchez), LA Fashion Week (Mila Hermanovski).

Sarah Holden, Balls (brooch),

mild steel, nylon stockings,

3-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 1-1/2 inches

Students in this workshop will explore steel at the scale of jewelry. We’ll start by welding or soldering wire together to make sheets of patterned steel that will then be formed into spheres, cones, cubes, or your own unique voluminous shapes. We’ll cover pattern development and material behavior as well as patinas, preservation, and incorporating steel into jewelry designs. All levels. Code S01MB

Studio artist; teaching: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Evanston Art Center (IL), Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; exhibitions: Velvet da Vinci (CA), Brooklyn Metal Works (NY), Kohler Arts Center (WI), Society for Contemporary Craft (PA).