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Someone once called Donald Stuart a Renaissance Man, an that doesnt seem too far from the truth. In a career that has stretched over 35 years, Stuart has mastered the arts of gold and silversmithing, textile weaving, and woodworking. He has taught jewelry-making around the globe, has founded a unique postsecondary jewelry program, and is an acknowledged leader in the craft world. Not content with his long list of achievements, exhibitions, commissions, titles, awards, and accolades, Stuart presses on, creating "Souvenirs," a new body of work that combines his uncanny design sense and signature inlay technique with a personal iconography that is a fresh element in his work.... (2004) Complete Story
While gold's mystique is indisputable, we must resist being so entranced by its luster that we fail to recognize and consider the realities of gold at the beginning of the twenty first century. The ecologic, economic, social, and political price of gold is far costlier that we imagine. We are in the midst of a new gold rush, one that is consuming wilderness areas, contaminating watersheds, destroying ecosystems, and imperiling the economics of poor nations and the well being of indigenous people throughout the world. Some cumulative, irreparable consequences of mining will be with us, in this country and around the world, forever.... (2004) Complete Story
One function of art is to challenge the status quo-to persuade, shock, or seduce us into seeing the world, and perhaps our own attitudes and beliefs, differently. David Freda, a San Clemente , California , metal artist and enamelist makes art out of things many of us would like to step on or avoid because we consider them strange, frightening, nasty, or squirmy.... (2003) Complete Story
Artist Darcy Mire takes the term 'precious jewelry' and turns it on its head. Her careworn cuffs, rings, and neckpieces, most constructed of sterling silver or 18-karat gold, are more wearable sculpture than status symbol; they seem almost embarrassed to be valuable. An occasional shy diamond, garnet, or sapphire peeks from beneath a tendril or under a fold..... (2002) Complete Story
"I'm not a secretive person," Song observes, 'but my work tells me I have many layers. I have a secret room in my heart telling me to do this kind of work.' Each ring has a outwardly expressive force, yet Song expands the commemorative function of rings to honor the inner complexity we all carry. She engages our hands with rings that open up, draw us in, and let us explore-in physical and psychic terms-the hidden spaces of memory and identity..... (2002) Complete Story
