Join us for exhibitions, lectures, the pin swap, panel discussions, the Professional Development Seminar, portfolio reviews, the Education Resource Room, Red Carpet live exhibition, Casino Night, the studio crawl, the Vendor's Room, the Trunk Show and our ever-popular final night dance party!

This week's conference highlight is the exhibition Object D'art...Innovations in Jewelry and Sculptural Art. Gallery 360 proudly resents a show of five national artists whose work involves a range of media including hand blown glass, found object assemblage, and mixed media painting. 

Artists: Karen Gilbert, Danny Saathoff, Mel Tudisco, Jane D'Arensbourg, Eric Silva
Curator: Merry Beck

Collections can start in a variety of ways, one route is so close us that we may not even recognize it: the artist as collector. That's us! All of us probably own or collect objects, but have we ever looked more seriously atvcollecting in our own craft segment, jewelry and metalwork?

Or, how about the possibility of forming an academic collection? In our preparation for the PDS, we have discovered a number of collections within the academic programs that collect jewelry and metalwork to document our field. This is our history. Speaking about this topic for the PDS are Billie Jean Theide, "The Artist as Collector", along with Tom Muir and Stanley Lechtzin who will be offering insight into the value of an academic collection.


If you cannot attend the entire conference, but are interested in the Professional Development Seminar, Register for a Day Pass

This week, we're introducing Dianne deBeixedon, who is running for a position on the Board of Directors.

Dianne earned her MFA at the University of Georgia & her BFA at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She is an artist/educator living in Norfolk, Virginia. As an Associate Professor & Department Chair at Old Dominion University, she developed the Metalsmithing & Jewelry Program which includes undergraduate & graduate courses in Metalsmithing/Jewelry, Blacksmithing & Alternative Materials.

Focusing on raising, chasing, repoussé & forging, Dianne creates vessels & bowls. Her experience at SIU also led her to incorporate blacksmithing techniques, working in silver, copper & bronze. Her artwork is exhibited in galleries, juried exhibitions, & is published in Art Jewelry Today 1 & 2; The Contemporary Blacksmith; & Decorative and Sculptural Ironwork.

Memberships include the Society of North American Goldsmiths, Michigan Silversmtih's Guild, Guild of Goldsmiths (Washington & Florida), Artist Blacksmith Association of North America & its affiliate, the Tidewater Blacksmiths Association.

 

 

experience as a SNAG Board member? the organization?

 

After receiving my MFA from the University of Georgia, I began teaching at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. At the time, Old Dominion's Art Department was young with limited course offerings. From those early beginnings, I developed a metals program which today offers undergraduate and graduate courses in jewelry metalsmithing, blacksmithing and alternative materials. We have a large well equipped shop which will move into a new building next year, one of three new art buildings, in the "arts district" on the Old Dominion Campus.

In my personal work, I focus on raising, chasing and repoussé working in jewelry scale and larger-scale vessels and bowls. My background as an undergraduate at Southern Illinois University, introduced me to blacksmithing which I continue to study, practice and refine. Blacksmithing is still is a strong influence in my method of working in copper and silver. And in my current work I have been designing larger pieces so that I have more surface for chasing and repousse

Although it may be unusual, I find that circumstances in my career as an educator have created two parallel paths; one as an artist/metalsmith; and the other as an administrator. The administrator role, by the way, was one that I never envisioned for myself, but it became a necessity. Through my career in teaching and as Chair of the Art Department, I have learned to coordinate with people in solving problems and accomplish goals within a large organization. The budgetary responsibilities, payroll, supply and equipment acquisition, annual reports, building funds and scholarship investments, just to mention a few, take me away from my time as an artist and educator.

However, to maintain my sanity, I do continue to teach two courses each semester. Odd as it seems being chair of the department, does have a silver lining. Sound financial management (boring as it is) has enabled students and faculty to be the creative people they want to be and have the resources they need. As a result, I now see the department's academic and economic components very differently. Working together, my colleagues can decide upon the comprehensive goals and evaluate the budgetary needs, adjust how business is conducted and develop priorities (that constantly shift). I do not have an extensive view as to how SNAG is managed and organized, but I am a fast learner, and I will do my best to adapt to the role.

 

 

3. What projects, activities, and/or services do you think are important to the organization?  

 

It is difficult for me at this time to know what specific projects, activities or services are most important. To me, the most important aspect of the organization is to reach and support the wide variety of professional directions within SNAG's membership. Supporting the membership might be approached by extending SNAG's on-line presence and continuing to develop venues that support the concerns of our fellow metalsmiths surviving in the business world. There are metalsmiths working in museums (historical research) , galleries, teaching programs, commercial corporations, preservation/restoration positions and jewelry manufacturers who can be can also be reached by SNAG.

And finally, I believe that the continuing success of the SNAG Conferences is essential. The conferences contribute to the educational growth of our members, encourage the exchange of information and most importantly keep the metalsmithing community viable and ever changing.

 

 

 

 

President Elect Nicole Jacquard Tedd McDonah  Board of Directors      Sydney Brown     Dianne deBiexedon     Lauren McAdams Selden     Alison Pack  Nominations and Elections Committee      Daniel DiCaprio     Marissa Saneholtz

 

Billanti Casting Co. Inc.         Quality - Service - Dependability            Since 1955  

BILLANTI CASTING       299 South 11 Street   New Hyde Park, NY  11040        516-775-4800       email 

Educational Endowment Scholarships
Three scholarships are given annually. Undergraduate and graduate students are juried separately, and at least one award goes to an undergraduate each year. SNAG actively fundraises to increase the Educational Endowment trust. A raffle is held at the SNAG conference, with the proceeds going to the Endowment.

There are three tiers of awards: one for $2000, one for $1500, and the third at $1000.
The scholarships are for tuition towards the artist's degree granting program.  

In addition to the scholarship money, each recipient also receives:

One-year complimentary SNAG membership
A postcard featuring their work sent out to hundreds of museums, galleries, and schools
Recognition in a press release, in Metalsmith, SNAG news blog, Riveting News, and on SNAG's website

The jurors for 2014 are Mike Holmes, Melissa Cameron, and Erin Daily.

SNAG actively fundraises to increase the Educational Endowment trust. A raffle is held at the SNAG conference, with the proceeds going to the Endowment.

For further information contact Liz Steiner
Apply!

Quotable quotes from week 1 of Road 2 Success' SPOT ON

In the first week of the Road 2 Success SPOT ON: Making a Living and Living the Dream, our panel of experts has focused on what to do when you are starting out, the work-you-love/work-that-sells paradox, and what they look for in a studio assistant, intern, or employee.  Here is a sample:

Alison Antelman, Maker Profile
"I always think the best thing is to start with a local open studio event-they are usually inexpensive and it's a great way for strangers to see your work. Questioning yourself keeps you honest; continuing to play and make those exhibition deadlines that challenge you is one good way to increase your skills. When you are ready to do shows there is the initial investment of booth display and so forth....start thinking about it now--and visit shows noting the variety of setups and all of the things people need to bring with them."

Read more quotable quotes from week 1.

Road 2 Success Forums

If you didn't sign up in August for Road 2 Success, there are still a few spots left for the limited pilot program.  Sign up here.  It may take a couple days to process your request, but we'll get you in ASAP.

Not Your Mother's Cameo - workshop by Lisa & Scott Cylinder June 7 & 8

Art Business Institute: Florida Workshops in April

The Business of Jewelry FIT, NYC

University Art Gallery Director Position New Mexico State University

These are only a few of the opportunities you'll find on Springboard. Discover calls for entry, teaching positions, workshops, scholarships, grants, studio space and more. You are welcome and encouraged to post opportunities you want to share. Bookmark Springboard today!

 
Passionate Boutonniere
Enamel, Copper
2013
Take advantage of this member benefit and get more exposure for your work!  Make sure you have at least five high quality images so we can feature your work in Riveting News and on social media.