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 03/21/2008
International jewelry and metalsmithing conference brings artists, students and educators together: Eleven jewelry exhibitions offer rare opportunity for Savannah visitors
 SAVANNAH, Ga. — The 37th annual Society of North American Goldsmiths Conference, sponsored by the Savannah College of Art and Design, brought together a dynamic combination of international, local and regional artists, students and educators for demonstrations and workshops covering the fields of jewelry, design and metalsmithing. Discussions covered contemporary trends in the field, the use of technology, professional development, and collaboration among artists. The conference was March 5-8, with exhibitions running through April.
“The conference was designed to discuss, observe, and celebrate the diverse and changing discipline of metals and jewelry,” said Lanelle Keyes, SCAD metals and jewelry professor. “The inclusion of speakers with wide-ranging experiences and diverse exhibitions fostered a free flow of information that allowed the participants an intense exchange of ideas.”
The conference attracted 750 attendees, nearly half of which were students. Other attendees included an impressive roster of faculty members, artists and writers, including Australian artist/sculptural designer Carlier Makigawa; British artist/educator Norman Cherry; designer/metalsmith Richard Nelipovich; Dutch artist/educator Iris Eichenberg; jeweler/writer Bruce Metcalf and artist/designer Boris Bally.
And during a season when visitors flock to Savannah to escape the winter weather, the unique opportunity to see thousands of pieces of trendsetting metalwork and jewelry from a range of international artists also was available at 11 exhibitions free and open to the public.
“This was an opportunity to see so much excellent work from all over the world. It’s this one moment of the year that jewelry and art enthusiasts can see this amazing cross-section of work in person,” said James Thurman, SNAG board member and assistant professor of art at Pennsylvania State University.
The diverse range of artwork on display captivated new admirers and longtime jewelry and metal arts patrons alike. Those seeking out new talent enjoyed “Surge,” which showcased the best student work from colleges and universities across North America. “Contemporary Jewelry: Channels of Communication” presented the work of six artists who transform materials like wood, paper, cork and fur into wearable objects.
The exhibition “Art/Industry” focused on American studio multiples by jewelers and metalsmiths whose artwork makes creative use of industrial processes in combination with studio work. And the “Of Lineage and Legacy” exhibition presented 20 mid-career metalsmiths and jewelers who identified both a living mentor-figure and an emerging artist whose ideas, objects, points of view and impact are personally significant.
The exhibition “Overflow” presented contemporary metalsmithing solutions that addressed the transformational possibilities between the interior and exterior space of vessels and containers. And the “Co-laboratory” exhibition focused on contemporary work that accommodates an expansive notion of collaboration in the world of contemporary metals and jewelry.
For more information about the SNAG conference and related exhibitions, visit or e-mail SNAG.
Named one of Kaplan’s “25 cutting-edge schools with an eye toward the future,” the Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Ga., and in Lacoste, France. Undergraduate and graduate degree programs also are offered online through SCAD-eLearning. The college offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Urban Design degrees.
The SNAG conference is produced by the Society of North American Goldsmiths and hosted each year in a different North American city. Conferences feature presentations, exhibitions and demonstrations, encompassing all areas of jewelry and metalsmithing and encouraging discourse on a range of topics. SNAG members receive a $70 discount off the conference registration fee. The Society of North American Goldsmiths is the premier association of jewelers, designers and metalsmiths.
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