[Jewelry making - Article 01144] - Re: [Orchid] Non-jeweler designers at shows

[Silverspotstudio]

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>       I am an artist, have been all my life, and no one else can say
>     I'm not, any more than they can say I'm not a woman. I can't stand
>     the idea that the pursuit of art should be limited to those who can
>     afford to get a degree! 

    Hear, hear! This is a sentiment that deserves repetition (and a
    great line, too). While it may not be right to call oneself a "master
    jeweler" or other similar title without the proper credentials, it
    would be terrible to mandate that one could not be called an artist
    without the proper degree. Think of all the talent that might never
    be recognized if this were the case; how many incredible painters,
    sculptors, and, yes, jewelers were never awarded an MFA? The vast
    majority, I'd say. I've been dismayed at the recent shift in many
    colleges toward accepting art instructors/professors only if they
    have achieved the terminal degree in their field. This means that
    Picasso, to throw out a random example, could not teach at the
    majority of institutions. How much experience, talent, and mentoring
    ability will be turned away? 

    I think that many of us who call ourselves artists have one
    characteristic in common: we share a deeply spiritual--indeed, almost
    physical--need to create. We are constantly challenging ourselves
    with new media, new techniques, new design difficulties, all to bring
    into being something that we (and, we hope, the rest of the world)
    will find aesthetically, emotionally, and intellecually stimulating.
    Most of us would be hard-pressed to say exactly why we do this, but
    we would agree that without some sort of creative outlet, our very
    souls would wither like neglected orchids. It takes a great deal of
    hutzpah to call oneself an artist; it means embracing a difficult way
    of life and offering yourself up to the world for its scrutiny,
    knowing full well that it may not like (or understand) what it sees.
    Putting your work "out there" when so much of yourself is caught up
    in it is a great act of courage, and it is this courage that gives us
    the right to call ourselves artists. 

    What if someone had said to the painters at Lascaux, "Hey, stop
    that! You don't have the proper certification!" 

Jessee Smith
www.silverspotstudio.com

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