Spring Break
The Daily OrangePrecious metals: Jewelry and metalsmithing major brings elemental arts to SU
By Kelly Outram
Posted: 8/25/08, 12:38 AM EST Section: Feature
Despite limited resources, Zadrozna believes that the small group is beneficial for learning the craft.
"We have crazy brainstorming sessions together, stay with each other so the other person doesn't lose their mind," she said. "If we were a larger 'community,' I think we'd know and help each other on a different, maybe even more competitive level. I mean, being small also makes us a wee bit competitive, but in the end, it's all love."
The 126-credit major really begins in sophomore year when students take JAM 271, an Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing. In higher level courses, students learn more intricate design techniques and good business practices to self-advertise and protect their work.
Upper-level classes also deal with the impact of mining gold, the cost of attaining diamonds, price control, as well as the sexism of jewelry making and giving.
"They learn about issues that continuously affect the jewelry industry," Walter said. "They create their own portfolios and also learn how to design their own studios so that when they graduate they know how to set up a shop whether it's a studio or a garage."
Walter described the major as "learning advanced techniques as well as learning to advance personal ideas." For example, Berman's art tends to focus on identity in a consumer society, which is why she uses recycled materials as her tools to do what she calls, "taking consumer packaging and reusing it as social commentary."
"Product identification is how we identity ourselves, so a lot of my pieces are about that," Berman said.
A visiting artist program was built into the curriculum, inviting accomplished artists to SU to teach workshops and to lecture. In the past, visiting artists have included SU alumnus Bruce Metcalf as well as European silversmith Valentin Yotkov and Berman herself.
Berman's workshops mainly outline the professional process for up-and-coming artists, placing emphasis on networking, the importance of internships and an artist's responsibility for exposing artistic ideas to the public.
"I think the most successful students have a natural ability to think in three dimensions and can visualize that in their head," Walter said. "They also tend to be risk takers and try new things in their work."
Berman believes that working hard, maintaining a disciplined work ethic and gaining experience through jobs, internships and even a graduate program are the keys to success in the post-undergrad world.
"Education in itself should be constantly building," Berman said. "You should get the confidence. I encourage internships and work experience instead of making a few dollars, because work experience and hands-on understanding is so important."
Although the program is housed in the ComArt building near SU's South Campus, Walter encourages students to visit and see what their peers are doing.
"If they walk through," she said, "they might learn something."
kaoutram@syr.edu
"We have crazy brainstorming sessions together, stay with each other so the other person doesn't lose their mind," she said. "If we were a larger 'community,' I think we'd know and help each other on a different, maybe even more competitive level. I mean, being small also makes us a wee bit competitive, but in the end, it's all love."
The 126-credit major really begins in sophomore year when students take JAM 271, an Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing. In higher level courses, students learn more intricate design techniques and good business practices to self-advertise and protect their work.
Upper-level classes also deal with the impact of mining gold, the cost of attaining diamonds, price control, as well as the sexism of jewelry making and giving.
"They learn about issues that continuously affect the jewelry industry," Walter said. "They create their own portfolios and also learn how to design their own studios so that when they graduate they know how to set up a shop whether it's a studio or a garage."
Walter described the major as "learning advanced techniques as well as learning to advance personal ideas." For example, Berman's art tends to focus on identity in a consumer society, which is why she uses recycled materials as her tools to do what she calls, "taking consumer packaging and reusing it as social commentary."
"Product identification is how we identity ourselves, so a lot of my pieces are about that," Berman said.
A visiting artist program was built into the curriculum, inviting accomplished artists to SU to teach workshops and to lecture. In the past, visiting artists have included SU alumnus Bruce Metcalf as well as European silversmith Valentin Yotkov and Berman herself.
Berman's workshops mainly outline the professional process for up-and-coming artists, placing emphasis on networking, the importance of internships and an artist's responsibility for exposing artistic ideas to the public.
"I think the most successful students have a natural ability to think in three dimensions and can visualize that in their head," Walter said. "They also tend to be risk takers and try new things in their work."
Berman believes that working hard, maintaining a disciplined work ethic and gaining experience through jobs, internships and even a graduate program are the keys to success in the post-undergrad world.
"Education in itself should be constantly building," Berman said. "You should get the confidence. I encourage internships and work experience instead of making a few dollars, because work experience and hands-on understanding is so important."
Although the program is housed in the ComArt building near SU's South Campus, Walter encourages students to visit and see what their peers are doing.
"If they walk through," she said, "they might learn something."
kaoutram@syr.edu
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