Metalsmithing & Jewelry

Faculty

Metalsmithing & Jewelry Faculty

Sample Courses

• MJ 101 Metalsmithing & Jewelry I
• MJ 212 Special Topics: Casting
• MJ 213 Special Topics: The Table
• MJ 217 Materials & Mechanisms Lab
• MJ 225 Design for Production
• MJ 233 Expressive Nature of Stone

Workspace & Tools

Elective Studio includes eight large worktables, four standard jeweler's benches equipped with handheld flex-shafts, demonstration table and flatscreen television, mini-drill press, large Bonny Doon 20-ton high speed electric hydraulic press, Durston 6” double rolling mill, Di-Acro 36” slip roll roller, Di-Acro 36” bending break, Di-Acro Di-Acro 12” precision hand shear, throatless beverly shear, four oxy-acetylene soldering torches, one oxy-propane mini-torch, two 12” and one 24" VCELLA enameling kilns, large variety of vitreous enamels, powder coating system, lapidary equipment including cabbing wheels, flat laps, and diamond blade saws, and a fully stocked metals and supply closet.

Forming Room includes four anvils, a wide variety of stakes and shaping mandrels, extensive collection of hammers and mallets, Durston draw horse, selection of forming stumps, 50lb iron swage block, small propane forge, large annealing torch, casting torch, VCELLA burnout kiln, Neycraft centrifugal casting machine, KayaCast vacuum investing and casting machine, ARBE wax injector, ARBE rubber mold vulcanizer, silicone mold equipment, ARBE bench top polishing machine with a range of buffing wheels and non-toxic polishing compound.

Machine & Chemical Room includes a JET bandsaw, JET combo 6” belt and 10” disc sander, stationary grinder, large drill press, sandblaster, lapidary saws and equipment, vibratory tumbler, and a selection of metal patinas and oxidizers.

Majors Studio includes a 24/7 private studio for each third and fourth year student equipped with their own standard jeweler’s bench and storage drawers, an industry grade Sunstone Micro TIG welder, four oxy-acetylene torches, Grizzly 10”x22” variable speed metal lathe, mini-drill press, chasing and repoussé pitch area, GRS standard jeweler’s block, selection of Jayne Redman Tools rotating bench pin system, and an extensive selection of industry standard communal tools which include Kate Wolf carving tools, miter-cutting vice and jigs, mandrels, hammers, jump-ring system, and a collection of various sized Durston forming and doming dap blocks. Majors studio includes an additional private photo room with photo lights, backdrop, and communal desktop Mac computer.

Challenged and supported by artist-educators, who are as passionate about teaching as they are about their own studio practices, you will: achieve the technical skills of soldering, fabrication, forming, raising, finishing, and fine goldsmithing in non-ferrous metals; learn the art of enameling, lapidary, and casting, and the language of the multiple; translate traditional skills into unexpected materials like wood, marble, plastics, and resin; link unorthodox connections to expand your craft; continue the tradition of holloware; and take your technical skills to an entirely new level by grappling with theory and entering the dialogue on craft as both noun and verb.

Jewelry majors have access to unparalleled facilities, equipment, and space to bring their visions to life. Our facilities are equipped for both jewelry making and traditional hollowware to ensure your path is supported with everything you need to succeed.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the expressive nature of both two- and three-dimensional form in relationship to the body.
2. Employ technical skills with regard to traditional and contemporary metalsmithing and jewelry techniques.
3. Employ formal design language, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking.
4. Select applicable materials and choose appropriate techniques to develop a visual vocabulary in service to content.
5. Demonstrate professional practices within the field of metalsmithing and jewelry.
6. Employ knowledge about the history of metalsmithing and jewelry, contemporary theories and practice in their work.
7. Speak critically about the metalsmithing and jewelry work of others from both historical and contemporary perspectives.