SUMMER JEWELRY WORKSHOPS HELD AT PROVISIONS ARTIST COMMUNITY

JUNE 13TH-19TH & JUNE 20TH - JUNE 26TH

Small Class Size, Individual Attention, Complete Hands-On Workshops

The first session, "Merging the boundaries of art and nature," will combine investigation in alternative jewelry design methods and interaction with the local environment. ProVisions offers this program specifically to focus on utilizing found objects and integrating a variety of artistic disciplines—from sculpture to drawing—into bodily adornments. Students will have the freedom to discover what inspires their personal creative processes and will be encouraged to find their individual artistic identities. In only six days you can bring order out of chaos, fashion existing matter into something new and transform overlooked resources into well crafted works of art. Every day will be made up of three elements: exploration, examination and experimentation. The first element of this workshop poses the question, “where do our materials come from and where do they end up?” The second element encourages students to stretch, pound, cut, burn, dye, bend and analyze various materials from the environment—such as moss, wood, stone, leather, bone, and more. The third element of this workshop is open to combining organic, found objects with loads of donated jewelry to create your own uniquely composed adornments. Although this workshop is designed in part for creating temporary and process based art, you will walk away with documentation of portfolio quality completed works. From daily demonstrations, exposure to ancient and contemporary influential artist's works, group critiques and hands-on activities, students of all levels are sure to receive an enriching spectrum of knowledge, life skills and valued relationships.

Leather, eco-friendly paint, silver (left). Pumpkin stem, walnut dye, silver (right).

The second session, "Reclaiming Resources," will give students the opportunity to transform unused, unwanted, excess jewelry into new innovative pieces of adornment. ProVisions offers this program specifically to focus on raising awareness of the origin of jewelry, connecting students with responsibly sourced materials, and providing instruction on how to give life to jewelry that has been discarded. The showing and discussion of inspirational films and works of contemporary artists will be vital in understanding presented concepts throughout the course of the week. Each day will incorporate three processes: mining, refining, and designing. Students will "mine" boxes of donated jewelry and in just six days, utilize an array of demonstrated skills to develop a small body of work. Whether students are beginners or advanced, it is an excellent way to begin thinking about the destination of an object, with the goal of creating a closed-loop cycle in production. Most of all, students are sure to receive a once in a life time opportunity to dig their hands into a plethora of assorted types of jewelry—from outrageous to elegant, chains to pearls, costume jewelry to precious metals—the creative potential is endless!

Tin-type photo, watch face, aluminum, leather, recycled chain, bronze pin (left).
Pearls, gold, gallstone (right).

Note: Workshops are designed so they can be taken in chronological order or taken individually. Students have the option to attend both weeks for a more enriching experience.