Jewelry and Metals: Respect Tradition, Embrace Innovation
Diverse—art in this field can be functional or
sculptural, wearable or useful, tiny or massive, metal or plastic, interactive
or contemplative…
The international jewelry and metals community encompasses many
facets, from art to fashion, and includes everything from traditional media,
such as metal and gemstones to contemporary materials and processes like
plastics, 3D printing, and laser cutting.
Artists working in jewelry and metals respect tradition and
embrace innovation.
What Kinds of Opportunities Exist for Jewelers and
Metalsmiths?
Artists trained in jewelry and metals can choose to be
entrepreneurs and create their own line of jewelry or objects to sell in
galleries, boutiques, art fairs, and online. Other options include restoration
work, repairs, model-making, or working for another jeweler or metalsmith.
What Will I Learn From This Program?
While the jewelry and metals program in the Department of Art and Design at
IUP teaches the core fundamentals of metalsmithing, special care is taken to
ensure our students are equipped with the critical thinking and conceptual
skills necessary to set their work apart in the field. Students are challenged
to create thoughtful work and original designs using a variety of both
traditional and experimental methods. In addition, students are encouraged to
get involved in regional and national organizations, exhibitions, and events.
Why Jewelry and Metals from the Department of Art and Design at IUP?
Nationally
Accredited Program
The Department of Art and Design at IUP is a nationally accredited program,
which means our curriculum, faculty, facilities, and student work meet or
exceed the rigorous criteria of curriculum and depth of study set forth by the
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Professional Faculty
The importance of learning from professionals can’t
be understated. The faculty in the jewelry and metals program has experience in
many facets of the field, including gallery sales, both wholesale and
consignment; arts administration duties in several nonprofits; international
exhibition and travel; grant-writing; website creation, maintenance, and sales;
workshop development and teaching at all age and skill levels; published
critical writing; and expertise in a wide variety of metalsmithing
techniques.
Facilities
The jewelry and metals area in the Department of Art and Design includes
over 2,000 square feet of studio space that features a large hearth area with
torches, benches with student storage, a hydraulic press, draw bench, flex
shafts, rolling mills, shears, hundreds of forming tools—including stakes and
hammers of all sizes—and facilities for electrolytic etching and copper
electroforming. There are additional ventilated rooms for both casting and
vitreous enameling with digital Vcella kilns. Lighting and other equipment
specifically for documenting jewelry and metalwork is available. There is a
separate graduate studio with ventilation, a sink, three work stations, and a
huge bank of windows for natural light.