A close up of a student's hands hammering a piece of metal.

Jewelry / Metals (BFA)

UArts is no longer accepting applications for this program.
 

In the study of Jewelry/Metals as part of the Craft & Material Studies program, you'll learn how to manipulate materials to produce a range of designs—from art jewelry to design-oriented jewelry to experimenting with new genres.

At the heart of the Jewelry/Metals program is thinking through making. If you are passionate about working with your hands and engaging with material to create something meaningful, the study of Jewelry/Metals at UArts is just right for you.

You'll have many opportunities to exhibit your work—perhaps you'll be like one group of students who created a pop-up jewelry show in a temporary garden created on campus by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society.

Gallery

You'll have many opportunities to exhibit your work, both at UArts, through the annual wearable art show put on by the Experimental Costume Design and Performance program, and at major exhibitions such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show and the Philadelphia Furniture Show.

Featured Student Work: Frustration. Alyssa Perez BFA '13 (Jewelry & Metals). Materials: bronze, sterling silver, 6” x 3”, 2012

DieAlmond. Duke Kim BFA '11 (Jewelry & Metals). Materials: sterling silver, cubic zirconia necklace, 28" 

student jewelry/metal

 

student jewelry/metals

 

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Ellen Sherry BFA '17 (Craft & Material Studies)

 

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Choi Young Ji

 

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Robin Wang
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Jonathan English BFA '20 (Craft & Material Studies)

 

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Lisa Hill BFA '20 (Craft & Material Studies)
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Lisa Hill BFA '20 (Craft & Material Studies)

 

Faculty Spotlight

Jewelry faculty member Mallory Weston standing in front of white wall, brown hair, wearing red plaid shirt, black pants and a long moray eel necklace around her neck
Mallory Weston

Creates custom jewelry for comedian Patton Oswalt
Rod McCormick headshot
Rod McCormick

Metalsmith, sculptor and jewelry; much current work involves 3-D printing

Curriculum

At the heart of the curriculum of the Craft and Material Studies Major with a concentration in Jewelry/Metals is the notion of thinking through making.  Jewelry/Metals students are passionate about working with their hands and about discussing the ideas and concepts underlying their art. Jewelry/Metals students learn to express themselves through material and process. A student who pursues Craft and Material Studies will work closely with an advisor to determine the curricular path that best matches their artistic goals.  

Students who complete the Craft and Material Studies Major with a concentration in Jewelry/Metals will:

  • Demonstrate independent, creative problem solving and original thinking. They exhibit a distinct and personal approach to art making.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary issues and historical precedents. They have an appreciation for experimentation/innovation as well as for the traditions of making as applied to contemporary craft practice.

  • Acquire and demonstrate the professional skills needed to be successful as artists, entrepreneurs, designers for industry and productive citizens.

  • Be able to talk and write about art (including their own work) critically, intelligently and with considerable insight.

  • Acquire the level of technical skill required for them to reach their career goals. They establish a work practice appropriate to their ideas and demonstrate a deep familiarity with materials and processes.

Sample Courses

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First Year

Drawing: Objects & Space
Drawing: Natural Forms & The Human Figure
Image/Time
Color
Object/Environment
Found & Fabricated

Second Year

Sophomore Projects
Computers for Object Makers
Jewelry Exploration Projects
Metalsmithing Exploration
Jewelry Rendering and Design

Third Year

Junior Projects/Discourse
Jewelry/Metals Junior Studio I
Jewelry/Metals Junior Studio II
Jewelry/Metals Junior Projects

Fourth Year

Jewelry/Metals Senior Thesis I
Jewelry/Metals Senior Thesis II
Jewelry/Metals Senior Studio
Craft Senior Projects

Alumni & Careers

Having experienced all aspects of making, from initial design to the final finished piece, Craft graduates are flexible and well-prepared to become independent studio artists, or to find positions in related fields in design, business and industry, or go on to pursue advanced degrees.

Casey Sharpe holding up a piece of jewelry
Casey Sharpe

BFA '09

Art jeweler who works as a designer at a high-end jeweler on Rodeo Drive in LA
a headshot of Adriane Dalton.
Adriane Dalton

BFA ’04

Interim editor, Metalsmith magazine; artist, national and international exhibits
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UArts Hosts Premier Craft Symposium
Friday, November 2, 2020
UArts is pleased to be hosting CraftNOW's annual symposium, Making a Difference, on November 2. Students and faculty will benefit from panels and discussions with some of the biggest names in craft. Roberto Lugo will be the keynote speaker presenting Pottery Saved My Life.

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