Metals

Metals Workshops at Penland

 

Penland offers 1 to 8-week workshops taught by visiting instructors in our well-equipped studios. Class topics include jewelry design and fabrication, metalsmithing, casting, working with pewter, setting stones, enameling, etching, forging, and more. Workshops are open to serious students of all levels unless specified in course description; beginners welcome.

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

Summer scholarship information; summer scholarship application deadline is February 15.

Please read this note about our session schedules.

COVID-19 Safety Guidelines document.

NOTE: The upper metals studio has stairs that compromise access. It is made partially accessible by a stair lift.

METALS FALL SHORT SESSION
SEPTEMBER 24 – 29, 2023 (four studio days)
Erica Bello
Solder, Rinse, Repeat

Students in this workshop will develop their fabrication skills through the repetitive process of chain-making. Starting with simple links, we’ll explore soldering techniques used to create movable design elements while developing habits for a streamlined workflow. Through design exploration and pattern studies, students will advance to create more complex chain using fabricated sheet and wire. Clasps and other finishing elements will be carefully considered as these can make or break any design. Along with soldering, we’ll cover sawing, filing, and other basic metalsmithing techniques. All levels. Lower metals studio.

Studio artist; teaching: Baltimore Jewelry Center, Center for Metal Arts (PA), Arrowmont (TN), Penland; exhibitions: New York Jewelry Week, Museum of Arts and Design (NYC), SOFA Chicago. 

ericabellojewelry.com | @ericabellojewelry

Regular enrollment will begin on May 1.

Erica Bello, Plus Chain Necklace, oxidized silver, 24 x 1/2 x 1/4 inches
Erica Bello, Plus Chain Necklace, oxidized silver, 24 x 1/2 x 1/4 inches
METALS FALL CONCENTRATION
October 1 – November 10, 2023 (six weeks)
Leslie Shershow
Wild and Controlled: Material Explorations in Jewelry

This workshop will begin with experimental exercises and techniques as we dissect the meaning of various materials. We’ll create silicone and plaster molds to be cast with plastic, resin, expanding foam, and other materials and use these castings to learn additive, subtractive, and fabrication processes. Mid-session, a pivot to traditional metalsmithing techniques will cover the mechanisms needed to create functional jewelry. Topics will include cold connections, pin backs, hinges, settings, and other methods for capturing and connecting materials. We’ll turn our untamed material studies into wearable art and refine our conceptual intent by composing artist statements. All levels. Upper metals studio.

Lecturer at San Diego State University (CA), instructor at San Diego Community Education (CA); other teaching: New Mexico State University, School of the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston); residencies: Baltimore Jewelry Center, Haystack Open Studio Residency (ME), Houston Center for Contemporary Craft; exhibitions: Schmuck 2022 (Munich), Galerie Marzee (Netherlands), Gallery Loupe (NJ), Alliages (France); representation: Sienna Patti Contemporary (MA). 

leslieshershow.com | @shersh_oh

Regular enrollment will begin on May 1.

Leslie Shershow, Claw Party, steel, brass, acrylic, resin, canvas, vinyl, cord, powder coat, hydrographic film, 16 x 14 x 1/4 inches
Leslie Shershow, Claw Party, steel, brass, acrylic, resin, canvas, vinyl, cord, powder coat, hydrographic film, 16 x 14 x 1/4 inches
Metals Spring Concentration
March 3 – April 26, 2024 (8 Weeks)
Lola Brooks
All You Can Eat: The Blue Plate Special

This workshop will be a feast of technical and conceptual investigation in the metals studio. Students will have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of techniques while working toward a deeper understanding of their own interests in making small objects and jewelry. Focusing on fabrication, we’ll whet our appetites by investigating hollow and wire construction, repetitive elements as structure, forming, mechanisms, and stonesetting. We’ll continue the tasting menu with a week of wax carving and lost-wax casting with guest instructor Suzanne Pugh. Finally for dessert, we’ll sample the delights of color as we explore the basics of working with vitreous enamel. All levels. Upper metals studio.

This workshop takes place in a ground-level studio with compromised access. It is made partially accessible by a stair lift. 

Studio artist; teaching: University of Georgia, Cranbrook (MI), Rhode Island School of Design, University of the Arts (Philadelphia); collections: Rhode Island School of Design Museum, Yale University Art Gallery (CT), Museum of Arts and Design (NYC), Metropolitan Museum (NYC); representation Sienna Patti Contemporary (MA).

@dolorescanard

Scholarship application deadline is August 15.
Regular enrollment begins October 2.

Lola Brooks, Narcissuses, stainless steel chain, 14k solder, mid-20th century shell cameos, coral, stainless steel, 14k gold, 2 x 2-1/4 x 1-1/4 inches
Lola Brooks, Narcissuses, stainless steel chain, 14k solder, mid-20th century shell cameos, coral, stainless steel, 14k gold, 2 x 2-1/4 x 1-1/4 inches
Metals – Spring Short Session
April 28 – May 3, 2024 (4 studio days)
Eliana Arenas
Pop, Pop, Pop!

Students in this workshop will experiment with nontraditional coloring techniques and create a wearable jewelry piece. We’ll embrace low-cost color treatments such as powder coating, flocking, spray paint, colored pencils, and alternative materials to create rich, engaging jewelry—no need for expensive equipment. Demonstrations will include sawing, filing, cold connections, soldering, and tab settings. All levels. Lower metals studio. This workshop takes place in a first-floor walk-up studio that has partial access by a stair lift. 

Studio Artist: teaching: Arrowmont (TN), Winthrop University (SC), New Mexico State University, University of Texas at El Paso, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez (Mexico): published in the Compendium Finale of Contemporary Jewellers, 500 Pendants and Lockets, 500 Earrings, 500 Necklaces, 1000 Rings, and 500 Paper Objects; representation: Ombré Gallery (OH), Baltimore Jewelry Center (MD).

eliarenas.com | @eliarenasjewelry

Scholarship application deadline is August 15.
Regular enrollment begins October 2.

Eliana Arenas, Composition #2, oxidized sterling silver, brass, tin can, spray paint, rubber cord, silk thread, powder coating, 4 x 3 x 1/4 inches
Eliana Arenas, Composition #2, oxidized sterling silver, brass, tin can, spray paint, rubber cord, silk thread, powder coating, 4 x 3 x 1/4 inches