Artist Info

Tara Locklear – Raleigh, NC
Tara Locklear graduated from East Carolina University in 2012, attaining her BFA in Metal Design. Material investigations coupled with perceived value of wearable objects are driving forces in her work. Inspired by mid-century adornment, her designs are comprised of industrial and re-purposed elements resulting in a visual dialog of interpretive modern costume jewelry. Her work has been shown in Costume Costume Part II an Invitational Opulent Project exhibition at Sienna Gallery in Boston, MA, Hot Under the Collar, a SNAG Juried Exhibition at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in Scottsdale, AZ and Ferrous, a Crafthaus and Velvet da Vinci Juried exhibition at Velvet da Vinci Gallery in San Francisco, CA and 18kt Gallery in Toronto, Canada. She exhibited and was co-curator of Monochrome Noir at Velvet da Vinci in San Francisco, California in 2013. Tara was an instructor at Penland in 2015. Tara currently resides in Raleigh, NC where she works as a studio jewelry artist.

Tara’s collection titled “Pop Roxx” includes some materials unlikely to be found in your jewelry box – such as reclaimed skateboards – transformed to gems.
“The PopRoxx Collection, comprised of recycled broken skateboards and had fabricated sterling silver components, celebrates the story of each skateboard and it’s rider. The one-of-a-kind street patina and colorful graphic qualities of the boards inspire my designs. I carve and shape each piece of broken board to create my faceted skateboard gems. these are my Rubies and diamonds: that together with my sterling silver designs honor the history of each skateboard and represent my idea of modern statement jewelry.” – Tara Locklear