Artist Statement:

Using nature as my inspiration, I endeavor to create expertly crafted heirloom jewelry and vessels. As an artist I receive gratification from working in noble metals that someday will be owned, displayed, utilized or worn by clients in their everyday life. It is my hope to have my artwork passed down from generation to generation. The fluid lines and sensuous feel of the Art Nouveau era along with the beauty of nature is reflected in my work. In contrast, the Art Deco style also resonates with me and allows me to incorporate geometric lines and shapes creating a completely different body of work.

Over my 43-year career, my experience as a bench jeweler allowed me to design, create custom jewelry, repair heirloom jewelry and problem solve. I transitioned from working in gold to working in sterling silver. The scale of my work has increased from small jewelry to larger tabletop pieces, offering a layered canvas to express my interest of insects and nature.

I fabricate all of my work, which means I do not use any manufactured items. Each piece is cut and shaped from sheets of metal. Silversmith techniques are used to form the metal into 3 dimensional forms, which make my pieces come alive. Ancient metal techniques such as chasing, repoussé, engraving, granulation (a process that fuses gold to silver), saw piercing and many others are incorporated to add detail, interest and beauty. Throughout my career, I have constantly challenged myself to evolve as an artist and as a businessperson. This is reflected in my constantly expanding endeavors, which include moving from creating only jewelry to working on a larger scale. Whether it’s collaborating with clients to create unique, custom pieces to fulfill their desires or a mezuzah for a museum, I strive to incorporate beauty, design and superior techniques in each piece.

Exhibitions:

2018

Visionmakers 2018 108 Contemporary Gallery, Tulsa, OK

identiTEA National TeapotExhibition, Crafts Alliance, St. Louis, MO

Women of the Arts of Kansas City, March, Kansas City, MO

2017

Wichita National All-Media Exhibition, Mark Arts Center, Wichita, KS

“On this Earth” Exhibition, Todd Weiner Gallery, Kansas City, MO

River Market Regional Exhibition, Truth, Trust, Transcend, Kansas City Artists Coalition, Kansas City, MO

Finalist/Saul Bell International Design Competition Hollowware Division, Albuquerque, NM

Pour Your Heart Out, Juried Exhibition of Teapots, The Worcester Center for Crafts Gallery Store, Worcester, MA

Wearable Expressions International Juried Exhibition of Wearable Art

2016

R.G. Endres Gallery, Prairie Village State of the Arts Exhibition, Prairie Village, KS

Everyday Earring Exhibition, Eat Metal Gallery, Hoboken, NJ

Light, Space and Time 5th Annual “Seasons” Online Art Competition www.lightspacetime.com

Re:Members Kansas City Artists Coalition 40th Anniversary

Prairie Village State of the Arts Exhibition, Prairie Village,KS

2015

First Annual International Chasing & Repoussé Exhibition, Outnumbered Gallery, Littleton, CO

Saul Bell Award Finalist Show/JCK Exposition, Las Vegas, NV

“Beyond Modern Metal Exhibition”, Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL

2014

Locust Street Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Kansas City, MO

“Metal Extinction Exhibition”, Metalsmith’s Assoc. So.California

Locust Street Gallery, Group Show, Kansas City, MO

Rivermarket Exhibition, The Kansas City Artists Coalition, Kansas City, MO

Professional Experience:
2016 Artist INC Fellowship Awarded, Kansas City, MO

2012-2013 President, Sterling Guild of Kansas City, MO

1997-Present Instructor/Director Jewelry Techniques School

1989-2000 Director of the Baltimore Alternative Craft Show

1989-1997 Instructor Beginning silversmithing/junior high level
1975-1982 Trade Jeweler

Service to the Field:

2018

February, Juror, Art in the Park, Columbia, MO

June, Awards Judge, Art in the Park, Columbia, MO

2017

SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) Hospitality Committee, New Orleans, LA

2015

February, Juror, Art in the Park, Columbia, MO
June, Award Judge, Art in the Park, Columbia, MO

2000

Juror, Shawnee Mission East High School Art/Design Competition, Overland Park, KS