April 2025, Part 1
Art Jewelry Forum is pleased to share the news that members of our community find noteworthy. Is something missing? The success of this compilation of compelling events, news, and items of interest to the jewelry community depends on YOUR participation. If you’re a member of AJF at the Silver level or above, you can add news and ideas to this bi-monthly report by going here. If you aren’t a member, but would like to become one, join AJF here.
FROM OUR MEMBERS
TED NOTEN TO OPEN RESTAURANT IN AMSTERDAM
“We’ll sell Cubanos and cochinita pibil and barbecued pulled pork with cole slaw,” says the artist. “The offerings will also include lechón, char siu, larb, and BLT sandwiches.” The menu will feature dishes from around the world—you’ll see Schweinebraten, porchetta, and croque monsieurs on offer, too. The name of the restaurant has yet to be decided. “We won’t have desserts,” adds Noten, “but we’ll sell chewing gum.”
KEITH LEWIS DESIGNS BOWLING TROPHY
“When the United States Bowling & Jewelry Congress Masters tournament asked me to design their 2025 trophy, I was over the moon,” crowed the artist. Lewis is himself an avid bowler. “My proposal featured an erect figure bowling with a couple of big balls. They hemmed and hawed at first, but I prevailed.”
FELIEKE VAN DER LEEST WILL TOUR WITH MOTÖRHEAD THIS FALL
“They came to the bar where I was playing with my band, Scrotum Clamp,” said the jewelry artist. “Lemmy liked my playing so much that he asked me to join the band.” And what of the long stretches between cities on the tour bus? “It’s lovely, actually, it gives me lots of time to crochet jewelry components,” says van der Leest.
LIESBETH DEN BESTEN TO WRITE BOOK ON BUS DESIGN ACROSS THE DECADES AND COUNTRIES
“To be honest, I’m kind of tired of researching jewelry,” said the art historian, noting that she got the idea for the research topic from her grandson, after hearing him chanting a nursery song over, and over, and over: “The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round …”
JEFFREY LLOYD DEVER RENOUNCES POLYMER CLAY
Although known around the globe for his exuberant shapes abounding with color, the artist has decided to challenge himself with a change of material. “No more additive processes, and I’m going monochrome,” states the artist. “From now on, my jewelry work’s all about square blocks of Carrara marble.” Dever admits that “it’s been a boring slog so far.”
MUNICH JEWELLERY WEEK TO RELOCATE TO ALASKA IN 2026
In an effort to fight global warming, the biggest global event in art jewelry will be permanently held in Anchorage. There’s a positive side to it: “Big, heavy parkas are a great surface for displaying brooches,” stated Frau Brosche, a press officer from the Internationale Handwerksmesse.
NEW LAW DECREES JEWELRY BE WORN UPSIDE DOWN
The Australian legislation applies only to jewellery made in the Northern hemisphere. Pieces fabricated by makers in the Southern hemisphere are exempt and may be worn in the normal manner. “Thank goodness I sell jewellery by only Aussie makers,” states Jane Bowden, the owner of gallery Zu design. “The decorative parts of earrings made by European artists must be taped to the lobe, so earrings then just spotlight the ear wires dangling below the ear. It’s a little wired, er, I mean weird.”
SMITHSONIAN TO OPEN MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN ART JEWELER
The institution will join the Air and Space and Hirshhorn museums on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Yvonne Montoya, AJF’s former executive director, has been appointed its director. “Pforzheim and Espace Solidor won’t get all the glory,” vows Montoya.
NEW EXHIBITION—FOLLOW YOUR NOSE: SEPTUM RINGS OF THE POWERFUL
“With this type of piercing,” said curator Naz Schnozz, “you can wear a retainer that flips up inside the nostrils. That means the public doesn’t know you have a septum ring.” Many are familiar with Madeleine Albright as a diplomat who spoke with her brooches, “but few realize she wore a septum ring in private,” added Schnozz. Besides Albright’s jewelry, the traveling exhibit features pieces worn by Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, and Michelle Obama. Coming soon to a museum near you!
KIM KARDASHIAN APPLIES TO JEWELRY MASTERS PROGRAMS
She’s already done shapewear, fragrance, makeup, investing. In 2011 Kardashian launched a line of costume jewelry that let fans accessorize like her at an affordable price, but it flopped. The reality star attributed this to the baubles being kind of “basic.” Enrolling in a master’s jewelry program “will hone my understanding of jewelry theory,” says the influencer, “and help me create designs that are more critical of the beauty industry. That’s what my fans really want.” Kardashian hopes to start classes this fall and looks forward to dialog with instructors and fellow students.
ADRIAN BRODY DESIGNS LINE OF CONCRETE ART JEWELRY
“My stylist has had me wearing brooches on the red carpet,” says the actor, “Her choices are pretty conventional high pieces, but they gave me an interest in jewelry as a medium. Then filming The Brutalist made me want to design my own. I asked a local contractor to show me how to make little molds and mix the cement.” Find the pieces in the MOMA gift shop.
AJF’S MANAGING EDITOR GIVES NOTICE
Nathalie Mornu has accepted the position of editor-in-chief of the Weekly World News. “It’s a dream come true!” she said. The tabloid, formerly available in grocery stores across the United States, is the only publication in the world to cover the exploits of Bat Boy, The Lake Erie Monster, Ph.D. Ape, the Bigfoot Hooker, and other beings the mainstream refuses to cover. WWN is the authority on aliens, mutants, conspiracy theories, and biblical prophecies, and wayward people. Governments constantly conspire to prevent the “newspaper” from getting its stories out, but rest easy: the WWN will never let anyone stop it from delivering the truth to its readers!
AJF CELEBRATES APRIL FOOL’S DAY
All the news listings above are meant to be humorous. They have no factual basis and none of the quotes are real. All the persons and gallerists mentioned gave permission to be included. (The public figures were not consulted, however.) Now, to get the real news, keep reading below.
THE REAL NEWS
TRAVEL TO SANTA FE AND TO MEXICO WITH AJF
AJF’s highly curated trips provide an opportunity to travel with like-minded enthusiasts and give you access to venues and activities you couldn’t do on your own. Our Santa Fe trip takes place May 12–15, 2025. On our following trip we’ll go to Mexico City on September 7–10, 2025, and to Oaxaca City September 12–14. You can go to both places in Mexico, or choose just one. There are still a few seats left for these trips. Registration is now open to Silver+ members. Additional info here.
IVAN BARNETT LAUNCHES COACHING AND CONSULTING COMPANY
The former creative director at Patina Gallery has started Serious Play. Barnett provides one-on-one guidance tailored to your unique vision, challenges, and goals with the aim of helping artists improve their creative skills and build a sustainable career, develop business acumen, and foster personal growth. More.
MAD ABOUT JEWELRY 2025
The Museum of Arts and Design’s annual benefit awards celebration and sale of contemporary jewelry. celebrates its 25th year. This year’s milestone edition showcases extraordinary designs from 50 emerging and acclaimed international jewelry artists. The ultimate contemporary jewelry pop-up will take place May 3–7, 2025, offering collectors and jewelry enthusiasts the rare opportunity to meet and acquire pieces from the most innovative creators in the field. More.
THE EMERGING ARTISTS LECTURE SERIES
The Seattle Metals Guild is offering a new online program to the community of jewelry and metals enthusiasts. It will kick off Tuesday, March 18, at 6:00 p.m. Pacific. Over four monthly webinar sessions, the Guild will share 15-minute presentations offered by 12 emerging artists working throughout the field of jewelry and metals. Presentations will be followed by moderated discussions, including your Q&A. Made possible with support from Art Jewelry Forum. Get more information here.
THE STORY MAKERS OPENS AT GALLERY LOUPE
The group exhibition, curated by Sebastian A. T. Grant, features the work of Panchita Carter, Funlola Coker, Aminata Conteh, Tanya Crane, Douriean Fletcher, Cheryl R. Riley, and Joyce J. Scott. The seven artists of different generations explore their roles as storytellers through jewelry and objects. April 5–27, 2025. More info.
MEDITATIONS ON FORM: JEWELLERY BY MELANIE EDDY
Born and raised in Bermuda, Eddy has lived and worked in London for the past two decades. Despite the distance, a deep affinity for her island home runs through the bold geometric faceted forms that have become her signature, and for which she is gaining wide recognition. At Bermuda National Gallery through May 31, 2025. Info.
AJF MEMBER LYNDA SLAYEN WROTE IN
The Bethesda, MD-based artist told AJF about a neighborhood art walk in May, 2025. Several area artists will participate with oil paintings, mosaics, and Slayen’s own fused glass. A frequent traveler on our trips, Slayen wrote in to steer readers away from a movie she didn’t like: “Don’t see The Brutalist!!!!” she said.
FEEL LIKE SEEING A JEWELRY SHOW?
Find listings from around the world on our dedicated exhibition page.
JEWELRY EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD
We have a dedicated page for them. Go here to see the list.
CORRINA GOUTOS TO LECTURE AT GERRIT RIETVELD ACADEMIE
The talk given by the two-time finalist for AJF’s young Artist Award will start at 3:30 p.m. on April 8, 2025. Goutos is currently artist-in-residence at the Françoise van den Bosch Foundation.
GATES OF TRANSITION
This biennale collective exhibition of contemporary studio jewelry presents the recent work of over 80 contemporary studio jewelers. “Gates of Transition” forms a unique collective display of brooches created by established artists from Greece and around the world. April–November 2025, at the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum. Info.
PARCOURS BIJOUX CALL FOR PROJECT WEBINARS
The organization will hold six public webinar sessions in French, English, and Spanish to address questions regarding the event, including what is Parcours Bijoux, presentation of the call for projects, key dates, and more. Sunday, April 13: 17h-18h, in French; and 18h- 19h, in Spanish. Sunday May 25, 17h-18h, in French; and 18h- 19h, in English. Registration is required; do so here.
JEWELRY CHALLENGE: TANGIBLE TIME & WEARABLE DREAMS
What if you had to leave everything behind and start over somewhere else? What do you take with you and how do you shape your new life? Jewelry is more than decorative objects. It carries stories, memories, and symbolism, connecting us to our origins, identity, and the people we hold dear. Through April 13, 2025, CODA invites you to design a piece of jewelry that represents the themes of identity, memory, and/or change. The challenge is inspired by two exhibitions, including The Love That Remains, by visual artist Sioe Jeng Tsao, in which she explores her bi-cultural background and the role of jewelry and rituals in her personal journey (on view through May 9, 2025). Info.
PAGES
GET A 20% DISCOUNT ON THE NEW BOOK CREATING STEEL JEWELRY
Artisan Ideas is offering AJF readers a 20% discount on this new book, by Bette Barnett. To get 20% off, you must order the book through their website. Go here, and use the code AJF.
FOR THE LOVE OF DIAMONDS, BY RACHAEL TAYLOR
Marilyn Monroe sang that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. In fast-paced times, jewelry appears timeless and long-lasting, and is often a smart investment. For the Love of Diamonds focuses on these objects of desire. The book features the most famous jewelers, designers, and iconic pieces of jewelry. It also offers insights on gemology, manufacturing techniques, and tips on different jewelry styles. In English and in German. More.
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